You know that feeling when you step foot somewhere and it’s immediately like all of the stars are aligned? Well, that was exactly how I felt the moment I laid eyes on the dreamy sands and rocks of this location. I knew it would be the perfect place for our New Mexico engagement session with Diana and Jonathan. New Mexico absolutely popped OFF! I’m seriously so stoked that we found this exact spot (but I’m totally keeping it a secret for now hehe).
After getting to know the couple, I tasked myself with the job of finding an epic location in New Mexico. Diana had a VISION and I knew I wanted to find the perfect setting to suit her moody engagement session dreams. I loved the fact that she knew exactly what she wanted, it gave me a good idea of where to start my search! And, it made the entire session so much fun. I am a huge fan of collaboration, and Diana and Jonathan were down to engage with the entire planning process! We came up with so many cool ideas by sharing plans and figuring out how to work with our surroundings.
Prior to the shoot, we spent time discussing Diana’s vision and narrowing down the vibe. By the end of our chat, we had decided that their New Mexico engagement session would have two parts. Part one of their shoot would be classic, and romantic, and capture their love. Part two would be moody, dramatic, and capture their creative side. With two different outfits, one epic location, and the coolest props that highlighted their personalities, we were ready for the shoot!
Our Secret Location in New Mexico
New Mexico is a breathtaking state filled with beautiful rock formations, stunning sands, and iconic sunsets. When Diana and Jonathan told me they wanted their engagement session to take place here, I immediately got to work. Finding stand-out locations that are often unknown is one of my best skills! I was so obsessed with the fact that this New Mexico engagement session location was so versatile. As mentioned, we had two different vibes we were aiming for. This setting provided us with a beautifully soft, sandy backdrop for their natural look and a deep red and orange sandy look for the moody setup. It was honestly so iconic!!
Unfortunately after locations like this blow up on social media or become very popular, hundreds of people visit, take photos, and leave their mark on the space (and not in a good way). Rarely do they take care of it, and it makes us sad to see these beautiful locations deteriorate and lose the charm that makes them so special. We pride ourselves in finding spots that are unique and special to each couple, and we make it a priority to leave the location without a trace. Protecting the environment is important and we want to do our part to preserve its essence for the next visitor, so we will be keeping the name of this location to ourselves. But if you want to shoot at this stunning spot with us, send us an inquiry! We would LOVE to take you.
Choosing Outfits that Fit Your Vibe
Now let’s talk about the looks… because they were SOOO GOOD! To start the day off our couple rolled up in some black leather jackets, and for this portion of the shoot they pulled out some of their favorite beers. I love starting out my sessions with a more laid-back vibe so that my clients start to feel at ease and warm up. I want to capture them in their most natural state and nothing is worse than feeling tense in front of the lens! We spent time navigating through the sands, embracing the warm New Mexico air, and got inspired to jump into some creative shots.
One of my favorite moments during their shoot was when they whipped out some Sweetheart candies. We did their New Mexico engagement session right around Valentine’s Day and I totally freaked out when I saw the candies. I had SO many shot ideas pop into my head! We had the best time coming up with different shots and ways to use the Sweethearts. Honestly, this shoot could not have started off on a better note. The contrast of their outfits against the sandy white rocks was breathtaking and gave us such a cool effect! Overall, I was so obsessed with how we kicked off this day. But believe me, it got even better!!
To lean into their romantic side, Diana and Jonathan changed into more formal all-black outfits. Diana had on a dreamy black boho gown with a lace train and sleeves, while Jonathan complemented her in a black sweater, black pants, and a gold chain necklace. I was OBSESSED with this moodier vibe, especially with how they contrasted against the deep red and orange dirt. Diana brought some rich red roses and they were the absolute icing on the cake. When I tell you those roses really sealed the deal and completed the look, I MEAN it.
As the day went on, we found a spot where the rocks dipped creating a secret crevice. The different colors swirled together beautifully and manipulated the lighting in such a cool way. I am always in awe of how one location can provide such a variety of backdrops, this place was absolutely incredible and I can’t wait to go back!!!
Diana and Jonathan are two absolute sweethearts (pun tooootally intended, haha!) and I had the best time hanging out with them during their moody New Mexico engagement session. Scouting out locations, making memories, and existing in beautiful settings with beautiful souls is inspiring. I absolutely LOVE that I get to spend my days meeting new people and celebrating their life moments, big or small.
If you are looking to capture some epic couples photos we’d love to take you to one of our special spots. Make sure you slide into our DM’s on Instagram or submit an inquiry right here on our website. Let’s start making some magic happen!!
Diana and Jonathan’s New Mexico Engagement Session
