Thank you!

A man wearing a brown cowboy hat and glasses sits at a desk between two computer monitors, focused intently on the screens while holding his phone. He’s wearing a gray “Texas” T-shirt, and behind him are political campaign signs and a TV displaying election results, capturing the feeling of closely monitoring the situation on Texas primary election night.

Monitoring the situation tonight.

#ElectionNight #TexasPolitics #PrimaryElection #BehindTheScenes #DemocracyInAction

Talarico knows how to compete in red Texas, connect with voters, and isn’t afraid to stand up to the GOP.

If you haven’t voted yet, make a plan and get to the polls!

Smiling person wearing a suit and glasses poses indoors holding a large photo-frame sign that reads ‘TALARICO FOR TEXAS’ and ‘#TEAMTALARICO,’ with a Texas silhouette at the bottom.

After careful consideration, I proudly voted for State Rep. James Talarico for U.S. Senate.

We need a nominee who can energize our base and strengthen down-ballot races across Texas - particularly in flippable counties like Tarrant.

Smiling person wearing sunglasses takes a selfie outside a polling place, holding an ‘I Voted’ sticker on the first day of early voting, with campaign signs and a parking lot in the background.

Happy first day of early voting for the 2026 primary! 🗳️ I cast my ballot back home in San Antonio.

As always, I encourage everyone to do their own research and make informed decisions - especially with so many competitive statewide races on the Democratic ballot this year.

Somewhere along the way the gear multiplied far beyond the original plan, but so did the purpose. I’m grateful for the journey, still learning every day, and apparently still buying lenses. 🙏🏼

What I didn’t know then was how much it would shape the way I tell stories: slowing me down, sharpening my eye, and helping me document moments that matter with more care and intention.

A Canon mirrorless camera body sits on a wooden table alongside two Canon lenses (a 15–45mm zoom and a 22mm prime), with the Canon camera box visible in the background. The setup appears newly purchased and neatly arranged, photographed indoors.

Two years ago today I bought my first Canon camera, an EOS M50 Mark II, hoping photography might complement my work in political communications.

A person in a brown cowboy hat and black-framed glasses faces the camera with a neutral expression, wearing a navy polo shirt featuring a large Texas flag, photographed against a plain light background.

Same hat, clearer direction.

#NewProfilePic

Hector Mendez's Portfolio - On Assignment Communications, Digital, and Photography

I’ve been doing a lot of paid shooting lately, which means two things:

1. January has been busy.
2. I finally updated my portfolio. 💼

New On Assignment page is live - campaigns, candidates, events, and other gigs: hectormendez.myportfolio.com/on-assignment

A smiling person wearing black glasses and a dark sweatshirt that reads “I’ll just have the chicken tenders” holds up a smartphone as if taking a selfie, with one hand raised in a playful gesture. A framed architectural illustration hangs on the wall behind them.

Happy New Year! Here’s to more side quests, bold opportunities, and chasing the next great adventure in 2026 ✨

#HappyNewYear2026

A smiling person wearing glasses and a navy blue Christmas sweater with gingerbread figures sits indoors holding a bag of Snickers Minis candy, with a warmly lit kitchen visible in the background.

A Christmas wall decoration featuring a round ornament that reads ‘Merry Christmas,’ topped with greenery, pinecones, and a large red bow, hanging between white window blinds with a nativity star displayed above it.

Merry Christmas everyone! #MerryChristmas

A man wearing a white cowboy hat, navy blue button-up shirt, and sunglasses stands confidently on a colorful street lined with papel picado banners and market stalls in San Antonio. The bright decorations and warm sunlight give the photo a festive, Tejano cultural feel.

A man wearing a white cowboy hat, navy blue button-up shirt, and sunglasses stands confidently on a colorful street lined with papel picado banners and market stalls in San Antonio. The bright decorations and warm sunlight give the photo a festive, Tejano cultural feel.

This one’s for mi gente. Siempre for la cultura. 🤠

Hector wearing a dark brown cowboy hat and glasses stands against a plain gray wall. He is dressed in a navy blue shirt featuring a large white star and red and white stripes resembling the Texas flag. The lighting softly highlights his face and hat, creating a calm and composed portrait.

This hat’s seen a lot, and it’s ready for what’s next. 🤠 #NewProfilePic

in a rare TX redistricting ~crossover episode~ tarrant county commissioner alisa simmons speaks at today's TX congressional map public hearing: "welcome to ground zero of redistricting." she's also fighting the GOP mid-decade plan that racially gerrymandered the local district she represents.

Former congressman Beto O’Rourke, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Congressman Greg Casar all raise their held hands in front of a packed stadium. The large overhead display reads “FIGHT OLIGARCHY”

The billionaires have lobbyists. We have each other.

When we fight, we win.

Thank you Beto O’Rourke, Congressman Greg Casar, and Senator Bernie Sanders for bringing the movement to Fort Worth and standing with us against corporate greed and corruption.

Texas is rising. ✊🔥

Some scenes from the No Kings Protest in Fort Worth yesterday that I captured on my camera:

Picture of Hector outside holding a “I voted” sticker.

Hey friends, early voting for the May elections kicks off today! I’ve already voted, and I hope you will too.

As I’ve always said, make sure to do your own homework, know what’s on the ballot, and make your voice heard. Let’s knock this one out! #earlyvoting

Congratulations to my friend @kendallscudder.bsky.social on becoming the new chair of the @texasdemocrats.bsky.social! I’m excited to see the new direction that our state party will take!

Hector wearing a white shirt and a brown cowboy hat with the Texas flag in the background. He is smiling.

Letting my smile show my resilience. #NewProfilePic

I try to stay up to date posting about these events, but it doesn’t always work out for me! Haha Had a great time at LBJ Ranch with @progresstexas.bsky.social and @txprogressives.bsky.social

Camera portrait of Hector wearing a brown cowboy hat and a white shirt. The flag of the State of Texas is in the background.

"You can all go to hell, and I will go to Texas" ~Davy Crockett

#NewProfilePic

A camera shot of Hector where he’s wearing a Christmas sweater that depicts two gingerbread men fighting with lightsabers.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Dark picture of Hector with a butterfly background. His shirt says “I’ll just have the chicken tenders”

Picture of wireframe balls with lights.

Picture of Hector standing in a hallway of lights with illuminated flowers above.

Picture of Hector standing in a hallway of lights and everything looks like a kaleidoscope.

I totally sleighed it.

Picture of a black box labeled “Canon R6 Mark II” with two SanDisk SD cards that are 128 GB each.

Big moves with this #BlackFriday deal I got today! 🙌🏼

Camera shot of the Moulton Barn.

Camera shot of the Moulton Barn.

Camera shot of the Moulton Barn.

Camera shot of the Moulton Barn.

I’ll be posting this in my recap post next week, but for my Blue Sky friends, y’all get to see my camera shots I took of the Moulton Barn near Jackson Hole, Wyoming!

It’s every photographer’s right of passage when in Wyoming to get a picture of this old homestead, and I’m proud I have mine now.

Image of Hector opening his camera lens from the lens cap. The El Paso mountains are on the background

I’m gonna remember to be more active on here.

For now, here’s a picture of me in El Paso during golden hour. I know it looks like I’m just taking out the lens cap but y’all are gonna love the pictures I ended up taking.

Camera portrait of Hector, and he’s wearing a cowboy hat and a white shirt with a donkey logo with the letters “TCYD” on it.

Happy #ElectionDay folks! If you haven’t had the chance to vote yet, get this one done!

Remember, polls close at 7 pm in Tarrant County!

Selfie of Hector wearing a light blue patterned shirt and a navy blue winter vest. He is holding a “I voted” sticker “ with his left hand.

Good morning and happy first day of #earlyvoting! It’s always been a strong habit of mine to vote on the first morning of voting since my UDems days, and today was no exception.

As always, I encourage everyone to do their research on the candidates and issues on the ballot.

Image of a Canon m50 Mark II camera next to two lenses, the EFM 15-45mm and the EFM 22mm.

I’ve finally gotten around to fulfilling a goal of mine and getting myself a Canon camera and lenses for photography! Aside from my political Comms work, photography has always been a hobby I’ve wanted to pursue and now I can finally start going for it! #canonphotography