A guide to my favorite portrait locations near Santa Fe, New Mexico

I found my way into photography through a lifelong love of travel and landscape photography. I’m drawn to road trips, long hikes, dramatic skies, and the quiet moments when light transforms everything. New Mexico’s extraordinary terrain continues to inspire how and where I photograph families, couples, graduates, and expecting parents. Importantly, a location can be breathtaking and still not create the experience or images we envision if it lacks accessibility, movement, or luminous light. The locations I return to again and again are special because they offer space to explore, plenty of variety, and the kind of natural light that allows authentic moments to unfold. These are places where the landscape becomes part of the story, not just a background.


The following locations represent some of my favorite High Desert experiences throughout Northern New Mexico, each offering its own unique character, seasonal beauty, and opportunities for portraiture rooted in place.

Couple embracing before towering white sandstone hoodoo formations in a dramatic desert landscape.
Pregnant woman in white floral dress standing in desert landscape with red rock formations at golden hour.
Couple embracing in red desert landscape at sunset, pregnant woman in rust dress, mesa formations in background.
Couple holding hands in red rock desert, man in cowboy hat and brown jacket, woman in white boho dress and boots.
Pregnant woman in black dress and cowboy hat poses before dramatic red rock badlands formations.
Romantic couple embracing in a dramatic desert canyon landscape with towering sandstone rock formations.
Couple embracing before red rock mountain with half moon in blue sky, romantic outdoor engagement photo.

Abiquiu

Best Season: Year-round

Experience: Desert badlands, red rock, hoodoos, big skies

It’s no wonder Georgia O’Keeffe was inspired by Abiquiú’s otherworldly landscapes. Painted badlands, sandstone cliffs, and endless skies create one of Northern New Mexico’s most iconic settings.

I’ve roadtripped and photographed throughout this area many times, and I’m familiar with the locations, seasonal changes, and areas that require special permitting or permissions. Abiquiu is ideal for those who want a dramatic desert backdrop with a sense of history, solitude, and ancient beauty.

A woman in a white dress stands by a fence at sunset, framed by towering desert canyon walls.
Young woman in white lace dress poses in desert canyon with golden sunset lens flare behind her.
Couple embraces in desert canyon while two children run past in blur, capturing candid family moment in Southwest landscape.
Woman in white dress standing in desert canyon landscape at sunset with dramatic storm clouds.
Black and white double exposure maternity photo with couple forming heart shape on pregnant belly against rocky landscape.
Woman in floral skirt standing in sunlit desert canyon with golden grass and rocky cliffs at sunset.
Pregnant woman in white dress cradling her baby bump at golden hour among desert rock formations.

Diablo Canyon

Best Season: Year-round

Experience: Dramatic cliffs, sagebrush, southwestern vibes

Located on the Rio Grande corridor outside of Santa Fe, Diablo Canyon feels like stepping into another world. Formed from ancient volcanic rock, the dark basalt cliffs tower above a wide arroyo to create a backdrop that feels both rugged and feminine. I love this location for its ability to create intimate portraits among the rock formations while also capturing wide images that highlight the scale of the landscape. The canyon’s warm tones and dramatic textures are especially beautiful during golden hour, when the setting sun drops right between the canyon's walls. This is one of my favorite locations for senior portraits and maternity sessions.

A young girl in a blue dress kneels in a sunlit meadow, closely examining wildflowers among tall golden grass.
Couple in vintage attire embracing in golden field with scenic hills and lake in background.
Romantic couple embracing outdoors, man lifting woman near rustic fence with rocky cliff backdrop.
Couple embracing in a green meadow with mountain backdrop at sunset, woman in blue dress smiling joyfully.
Family embracing at golden sunset in lush green meadow with rolling hills in background.
A dapper young boy in a black suit, bow tie, and flat cap stands in a golden field at sunset.

Valles Caldera

Best Season: Summer to fall

Experience: Green valleys, volcanic rock, wildflowers, mountainscapes

The incomparable Valle Grande is one of New Mexico’s most awe-inspiring places. Nestled within the Jemez Mountains, this massive volcanic caldera stretches beneath sweeping skies, with soft grasslands, grazing wildlife, and panoramic views of Redondo and surrounding peaks. I’m drawn to Valle Grande for its sense of scale and the way it transforms throughout the seasons. From the fresh greens of early summer to the warm grasses of autumn, every visit offers a new perspective. At sunset, the landscape is bathed in soft, golden light, creating images that feel both expansive and intimate.


Read more about portrait sessions in the Jemez Mountains>

A couple shares a romantic moment in a mountain meadow, the man in white sweater and jeans, woman in floral skirt.
Two women enjoy hot drinks on a blanket surrounded by vibrant golden autumn foliage in a forest setting.
A young child runs through a sunlit autumn forest with golden trees and tall grass in a magical scene.
Couple embracing in autumn mountain meadow with golden trees and peaks in background.
A smiling girl in a cream sweater and jeans leans against a white birch tree in a golden autumn aspen forest.
Couple holding hands in autumn field watching deer graze near golden trees in a romantic outdoor setting.

The Pecos Valley

Best Season: Summer to fall

Experience: High mountains, quaking aspens, abundant wilderness

While many Santa Fe visitors head toward Aspen Vista for fall color, the Pecos Valley offers a quieter experience. Beyond the town of Pecos, the road climbs into lush meadows, towering peaks, and aspen-covered hillsides that lead into New Mexico's highest mountains.

I love the Pecos for its sense of adventure. In summer, high grasses and wildflowers create a pastoral setting beneath the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. In autumn, golden aspens blue into the background, rather than forming an overhead canopy, which keeps the light gentle and flattering for portraits. For clients looking for images that feel deeply connected to nature, the Pecos offers a true high-country escape.

Couple holding hands in a golden field with dramatic rocky cliffs behind them, woman in flowing rust dress.
Woman with flowing ombre hair smiling, wearing turquoise jewelry and black dress against rocky background.
Pregnant woman in white lace dress cradling belly against colorful painted hills landscape.
Couple sharing a romantic dip kiss in front of white rock formations, woman in sequin dress and white boots.
Woman in black dress poses gracefully before rugged desert rock formations at golden hour.
Couple holding hands at sunset overlooking a desert landscape with mountains and a glowing pink sky.

White Mesa

Best Season: All year

Experience: Sculptural sandstone, desert pastels, immaculate light

Hidden on BLM land just west of Albuquerque, White Mesa is one of Northern New Mexico's gems. Unlike many desert locations, White Mesa offers remarkable variety within a relatively short walk, making it ideal for portraits that blend unique scenery with intimate moments. I love this location for its quiet beauty and understated elegance. Layers of pale sandstone create ethereal pastel backdrops that photograph well in every season, while sunrise and sunset reveal subtle textures and depth across the mesa. This is definitely one of my favorite places to photograph. 

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Every location has its own rhythm, season, and story to tell. Together, we’ll choose a setting that reflects your vision, your wardrobe, and the feeling you want your images to evoke. The landscape is never just a backdrop—it is part of the story.

Begin planning your portrait experience →