Light and Color in New Mexico

(From a photographer’s perspective)

When you travel somewhere new, things that feel ordinary to locals feel new to you. Living in LA, I grow tired of taking pictures of the beach or palm trees, but I know that’s exactly what someone from a landlocked state is excited to see.

All of this is to say: I expected to be focused on the obvious. Landmarks, landscapes, the “quintessential” New Mexico shots. Instead, I kept taking photos of shadows and color.

The sun out there is aggressive. This is not surprising; it’s the desert and we were outside all day. But instead of washing everything out, it created these really strong, defined shadows. Long lines across walls, doorways, sidewalks. And somehow, it made everything feel more alive. More depth, more texture, more contrast. Instead of hiding details, it highlighted them. Suddenly, even something as simple as a stool or a balcony felt worth photographing.

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Bring a little wanderlust into your mailbox. Each month, a new postcard from my travels arrives. Carefully captured, beautifully printed, and ready to brighten your day.

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And then there’s the color.

You think desert and assume neutrals. And yes, there’s plenty of that. But what stood out were the turquoise accents, (doors, window frames, small details that feel very specific to New Mexico). Paired with the dried red chiles hanging outside, you get this mix of turquoise, red, and adobe that just works. It’s a color palette that feels distinct to the region, and very fresh if you’re not used to seeing it.

Sometimes it’s not about finding something new to shoot. It’s about seeing familiar things in a way that finally feels new.

Bring a little wanderlust into your mailbox. Each month, a new postcard from my travels arrives. Carefully captured, beautifully printed, and ready to brighten your day.

Join the club