Alamogordo couple and family portrait photographer
Scenic Portrait Photography in Southern New Mexico
Love. Life. Forever.
Artfully captured in the heart of New Mexico.
Some of my favorite portrait sessions happen outside the studio, surrounded by the incredible landscapes we have here in Southern New Mexico.
From the bright white dunes of White Sands National Park to the mountain scenery around Cloudcroft and High Rolls, each location gives us a completely different backdrop for your photographs.
Scenic portrait sessions aren't just for families. I photograph couples, engagements, proposals, anniversaries, seniors and individuals who simply want beautiful portraits in an unforgettable location. I also work with families who are visiting New Mexico and want to make a White Sands portrait session part of their trip.
Whether you're celebrating something special or simply want to capture this season of your life, I'll help you choose a location and plan a session that feels like you.
White Sands Portrait Photography
White Sands is one of my most requested locations for scenic portrait sessions, and it's easy to understand why. The white gypsum dunes, open landscape and New Mexico sky give us a beautiful backdrop that keeps the focus on you while still creating photographs that could only have been taken here.
Every session at White Sands can look a little different. Depending on the season, weather and light, we can have bright blue skies, soft neutral tones, dramatic clouds or beautiful color as the sun begins to set. I plan each session around the best available natural light so we can make the most of the conditions we're given.
White Sands isn't just for family portraits. I photograph couples, engagements, proposals, anniversaries, seniors and individuals there as well. You don't even need a special occasion. If you've dreamed of beautiful portraits in the dunes—or even something more dramatic with a flowing dress catching the wind—we can plan a session around that vision.
Many of my White Sands clients are visiting Southern New Mexico from out of state and plan their portrait session as part of their trip to White Sands National Park. If you're traveling to the area and would like to include a portrait session while you're here, I recommend reaching out early, especially if you need a weekend date.
Wondering what happens if the weather doesn't cooperate? I've put together my outdoor family photography weather tips for White Sands and Southern New Mexico, including what to expect with wind, clouds, rain, heat and changing conditions.
Cloudcroft & High Rolls Portrait Photography
For clients who prefer mountain scenery, Cloudcroft and High Rolls offer a completely different look from White Sands. Tall trees, mountain views and changing seasons create beautiful natural backdrops for portraits while still being a short drive from Alamogordo.
These locations are especially beautiful for families, couples and seniors, and the scenery changes throughout the year. Spring and summer bring more greenery, fall gives us warmer colors, and winter can sometimes completely transform the mountains with snow.
Mountain sessions can also be a wonderful option when you want something a little more private and relaxed. There are several locations I use depending on the time of year, the type of session we're planning and the look you want for your photographs.
When you book your session, I'll help you decide which location will work best for you. You don't have to already know the perfect spot—that's part of what I'll help you plan.
Scenic Portrait Sessions for Every Occasion
Scenic portrait sessions aren't just for one type of celebration. I photograph families, couples, engagements, proposals, anniversaries, seniors and individuals throughout Southern New Mexico. Sometimes we're celebrating an important milestone, and sometimes the reason is simply that you want beautiful photographs in an incredible location.
Each session is planned around the people I'm photographing. A family session may be playful and relaxed, while an engagement or anniversary session may feel more romantic. Senior and individual sessions give us the opportunity to create something that reflects your personality and the look you have in mind.
What you wear can also completely change the feel of your portraits. Some clients choose casual outfits that feel natural to them, while others want something more dramatic. Flowing dresses can be especially beautiful outdoors, whether they're used for maternity portraits or simply because you want that dramatic movement against the landscape.
I'll help you think through clothing, colors and the location so everything works well together without making your session feel overly styled. The goal is still for your photographs to feel like you.
Have Another Location in Mind?
White Sands, Cloudcroft and High Rolls are some of the locations I photograph most often, but your scenic portrait session doesn't have to be limited to those areas.
If you have another location in mind, let me know. I do travel for sessions when possible, and some of my favorite photographs have come from going somewhere that was meaningful to my clients. This snowy proposal at Inn of the Mountain Gods in Ruidoso is a perfect example.
Whether you're planning a proposal, celebrating an anniversary, visiting New Mexico or simply have a special place where you'd love to be photographed, we can talk about the location and what's possible. Travel fees may apply for locations farther from Alamogordo.
Scenic Portrait Packages
Whether you're planning portraits at White Sands, in the mountains or another favorite location, I offer two scenic portrait options depending on how much time and variety you'd like from your session.
Scenic Portrait Mini Session – $300 +tax
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A perfect, light-touch portrait session
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Available Monday–Friday only
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Locations: White Sands, Cloudcroft, or Alamogordo
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1 outfit
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10 professionally edited digital images*
Scenic Portrait Full Session – $400 +tax
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More time and variety
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Locations: White Sands, Cloudcroft, Alamogordo, or other locations by request**
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Up to 2 outfits
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20 professionally edited digital images*
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Available all week
* Additional images may be available for purchase
**Locations beyond 20 minutes from the studio may incur a travel fee
Because scenic portrait sessions are planned around the best available natural light, I schedule only one scenic session per day. Weekend dates can fill several months in advance, so I recommend booking early, especially if you're planning your session around travel dates or a special occasion.
Ready to Plan Your Scenic Portrait Session?
Whether you're planning a family session at White Sands, celebrating an engagement in the mountains, updating your senior portraits or simply want beautiful photographs in one of Southern New Mexico's incredible landscapes, I'd love to help you plan your session.
Have questions about locations, availability or which session would be the best fit for you? Send me an inquiry and we'll start planning your scenic portrait session.
Prefer a Studio Portrait Session?
If an outdoor session isn't quite what you're looking for, I also offer portrait sessions in my private Alamogordo studio. Explore Studio Portraits to learn more.
