Best Locations for a New Mexico Engagement Photoshoot

Where Should You Take Your New Mexico Engagement Photos?

New Mexico has truly stolen my heart! From the rugged mountains to vast deserts and charming adobe architecture, New Mexico provides a unique and breathtaking backdrop for your engagement photoshoot. You can choose to do a fun downtown date night and photoshoot or pick one of the many scenic nature views that New Mexico has to offer. In this blog, we'll explore some of the best locations for your New Mexico engagement photoshoot to celebrate your love and create lasting memories together.

New Mexico Engagement photos at the desert compass

Table of Contents

Best New Mexico Engagement Photo Locations

Albuquerque Sandia Mountains

The Sandia Mountains rising East of Albuquerque, offer a breathtaking natural setting for your engagement photos. Head up the Sandia Peak Tramway for a panoramic view of the city and the Rio Grande Valley. Alternatively, hike one of the many scenic trails for intimate shots amid lush forests and rocky outcrops.

White Sands National Park

Located in the heart of southern New Mexico, White Sands National Park is a surreal place that will transport you to another world. Its vast, gleaming white dunes create a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere that is perfect for a romantic photoshoot. The dunes' luminous quality, especially during sunrise or sunset, casts a soft glow on the couple, creating the most perfect lighting.

Old Town Albuquerque

If you’re looking for a culturally rich and unique place to take your engagement photos, Old Town Albuquerque is perfect. The adobe-style buildings, beautifully crafted Nex Mexican details, and unique charm provide a colorful backdrop for your engagement photos. Another location within Old Town that is stunning for engagement photos is The Desert Compass.

The Desert Compass is a beautiful boutique hotel that offers so many beautiful spots for engagement photos. My recommendation would be to get a room for a night and take advantage of all of the fun and unique spots in the room to take your engagement photos. They also have tons of stunning outdoor areas as well with Adobe architecture and greenery.

desert compass engagement photos. one of the best locations for new Mexico engagement photos

Santa Fe Historic District

The enchanting city of Santa Fe boasts a historic district filled with adobe architecture, cobblestone streets, and vibrant colors. The charming and unique ambiance of this city makes it an ideal location for an engagement photoshoot. Stroll hand in hand with your loved one through the Plaza, adorned with picturesque fountains and colonial-style buildings, creating an authentic Southwestern backdrop for your pictures.

Taos Pueblo

Taos Pueblo is a World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. Its adobe dwellings and ancient history create a uniquely romantic and culturally rich setting for engagement photos. The warm hues of the buildings blend beautifully with the surrounding landscape, making for the most stunning portraits.

Jemez Mountains

The Jemez Mountains is such an unexpected yet beautiful engagement photoshoot location in New Mexico. This is an area of New Mexico that does not feel like New Mexico. Rather than desert landscapes, it offers lush forests, alpine meadows, sweeping grasslands, and even a waterfall. Here are some more specific locations to take your engagement photos in the Jemez mountains:

Valle Grande
Jemez Falls
Battleship Rock
Soda Dam
Gilma Tunnels
Fenton Lake State Park

FAQs about your New Mexico Engagement Photoshoot

When should we take our engagement photos in New Mexico?

If you’re hoping for more mild temperatures, then definitely try to take your engagement photo shoot in the spring or fall. If you don’t mind the heat, then summer has the most gorgeous sunsets.

What should we wear to our engagement photoshoot?

Ultimately it’s your engagement photoshoot and you should wear whatever you want and feel comfortable in. But, if you are still unsure, sticking with neutrals is always a safe bet. I recommend avoiding crazy patterns as they can be distracting. But if you want to do something more fun and have a theme for your engagement photos, that is always a fun thing to do!

How far in advance should we book our engagement photographer?

Well, this ultimately depends on who you want to hire and what season you want to have your engagement photoshoot. My recommendation is that once you find your ideal photographer, reach out at least 4 months in advance is possible to check for availability.