Manny Rivera is an exhilarating talent here in El Paso. He is a DJ, photographer, and videographer. He’s known for El Paso Style Online, where he documents the long and beautiful history of the LGBTQ+ community here in the border, and for working alongside other members of the LGBQ+ community to preserve its rich history through photography and recording.
 

Manny was born and raised in El Paso. He attended Burges High School and later studied at the University of Texas at El Paso, where he took his first photography courses. His work as a DJ started in 1969, in the Ascarate Pavilion, where he performed with Steve Crosno’s dances. He later started working at the Old Plantation as a DJ, where Bob Bonadventure showed him trust and support for the music Manny played at the bars.  While Manny DJ’d at the Old Plantation, he began shooting photographs of drag performers and personalities. He recounted how he achieved the stunning lighting in this particular photo (insert photo here) by using the inside foil lining of a box of wine as a reflector for his flash.
 

His photographs were displayed at the 2015 Centennial Museum’s presentation titled “Engendering Community Exhibit”, organized by Dr. Brenda Risch and Dr. J. Aaron Waggoner. His photographs were also shown at the El Paso Museum of History, in 2019, as part of an LGBTQ+ Pride exhibit.

Manny has gone on record to say that he wants to continue working and shooting new videos of different performances in El Paso. 

His work is available through Facebook and El Paso Style.