Golden hour in the Jemez Mountains

Soft, golden hour light in the Jemez Mountains never misses. Active in leadership and athletics at Santa Fe Prep, Ella's sincerity is balanced with a fierce determination. So for her senior portrait session at Las Conchas Trailhead and in the Valle Grande, we kept things earthy, backlit, and movement-focused.

Ella's first outfit, a mesh top over blue jeans, drew out the beautiful sage tones of the area's mossy rocks and spring grass. As we made our way to the Valles Caldera, a light blue knit and flowing white skirt added movement to running, twirling, and dancing prompts. Add a little breeze and that end-of-day glow, and everything just worked—easy movement, natural moments, nothing over-posed.We finished up Ella's session with an ode to her favorite treat: a Taco Bell Baja Blast.

Young woman in mesh crop top and jeans poses outdoors in golden hour sunlight with trees in background.
Black and white photo of a young woman standing in a dark field wearing a knit top and shorts.
Young woman in mesh crop top and jeans stands smiling in golden sunlit field with trees in background.
Young woman with flowing hair smiling outdoors in golden sunlight, wearing a green mesh top.
Young woman in olive green crochet top smiling outdoors in sunlit field with trees in background.
Young woman in light jeans and olive top posing playfully outdoors with rocky mountain cliffs and pine trees behind her.
Young woman in olive crochet crop sweater and light blue jeans smiling outdoors among tall dry grasses.
Young woman in crop top and jeans posing on a trail surrounded by pine trees and rocky cliffs in nature.
Woman in fishnet tights lying on dry grass field, looking up at camera in a relaxed outdoor pose.
Young woman in light blue crop top and white skirt standing in golden field with mountain backdrop at sunset.
Woman in light blue crop sweater and white maxi skirt smiling in a golden field with rolling hills.
Young woman with wavy brown hair wearing a light blue ribbed top and delicate necklace outdoors.
Young woman in white maxi skirt and blue sweater smiling in a golden field with mountains in background.
Woman in white dress sitting cross-legged in golden grassland field with mountains and clear blue sky backdrop.
Woman in blue sweater and white skirt sitting peacefully in golden field with mountain backdrop.
Woman in white skirt walking through golden field at sunset with mountains in background.
Woman in white skirt and blue crop top dancing in a sunlit mountain meadow at golden hour.
A woman in a white skirt and blue top walks through a golden meadow with rolling mountains in the background.
Black and white photo of a woman in a flowing white skirt dancing in an open field at sunset with mountains behind her.
Woman in white skirt and blue top standing in golden field with mountain backdrop at sunset.
Young woman in light blue crop top and white maxi skirt standing in open field with mountains.
Smiling woman in blue knit sweater and flowing white skirt posing in a dry grass field.
Joyful woman in blue cardigan and white skirt running barefoot through golden field at sunset.
Woman in white maxi skirt and knit sweater smiling in an open field with hills in background.
Woman in blue top and white skirt running freely through a golden field with mountain backdrop.