A recent visit to Colorado did not go exactly as planned, but we were still able to take in some views on the famed Million Dollar Highway that is north of Silverton. What a fantastic driving road with views that go on for miles. At least in the summer, there are no lack of amazing mountain towns to visit in a sports car to take advantage of all the sweepers, hairpins, and twisties on the roads in between all nestled in stunning setting after stunning setting.
While at Hotel Albuquerque photographing an event taking place in its courtyard, in the moments finding different points from which to photograph the event itself, which was just a reception and not very fast paced, I had the chance to take a few photos of the features inside the courtyard like the large water fountain, the flora, and the event tent itself in place no doubt in case of any unscheduled rain. All these photos were taking with the amazing Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM lens. Every time I use it, I find myself re-remembering this lens not only has magical properties, but it can be used for a much wider variety of photo than one may think. For a 50mm lens, it is nearly ten times what I paid for my very first 50mm lens (Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D) back in 2008, but it just might be ten times the lens!
Summerfest returns to Albuquerque with music, cars, and food
Summerfest 2022 Albuquerque returned for the first time in three years (last was in 2019, see car photos). Summerfest is a combination of multi-stage concerts, a car show, and street food. It was extremely hot this year, even after 7pm, but I managed to get a few photos before melting. I chose low angle composition for all these shots to show the viewer something you could not already just see when walking by at typical eye level. Plus using low angle with an empty foreground draws the eye of the viewer into the photo, as seen in both photos featuring cars. Add to that using leading lines, and the photos have two composition styles to show a different look at Summerfest.
Candid Commercial Portraits for the Engineering team at BHI ABQ
It was great to return to the Bohannan Huston campus for another two days of photography right here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Three years ago I made dozens of headshots and a handful of candid commercial portraits. This time, more of the engineers at BHI wanted to get their own cool candid to feature when they go to conferences, events, and have an alternative to their headshot. Over the course of two mornings, I found a variety of backgrounds right outside their building such that two dozen people each got their own unique candid commercial portrait. Thank you to the tea at BHI for being so organized, and to the engineers for being so great in front of the camera, even outside on two warm summer mornings!
Waking up Saturday morning and not wanting to spend a hot weekend in Albuquerque just sweltering, I headed to Santa Rosa with intentions of swimming in the natural spring they have there, called the Blue Hole. I actually first saw the Blue Hole five years ago, but returning from a 2 month road trip, I just wanted to make it back to ABQ dry. This time I was ready with swimsuit on from leaving the house! However, it was overwhelmingly busy upon first arrival, but after 5pm there were only a few people left and I finally had my chance to make the jump. People of all ages were jumping in, including kids, and I am a very strong and confident swimmer. Nevertheless, upon standing on the rocky overhang, which of course looked much higher up once actually on it than it did from the angle you see above where I took the photo, I felt a bit of hesitation. It is definitely not nothing jumping in from up there! I jumped in feet first and the 61F felt refreshing as I made my way back up to the surface then swam to the steps.
Simon Ruin highlights an amazing canyon hike in New Mexico
Even on my tenth visit to the Navajo Dam and Navajo Lake areas of San Juan County New Mexico, I still found another hidden gem to explore for the first time. The San Juan River connects the lake and town, and in the middle are “holes,” day recreation areas, most of which are accessed on the south side of the river. I wanted to check out the northern side of the river, which led me to the Simon Canyon Trailhead which culminates at an old Navajo ruin atop a huge boulder. It was used as a kind of fort and is surprisingly well preserved. Climbing around the area on boulders myself I photographed it from all angles. The hike out there from the trailhead on its own, with its stunning canyon views, would have been worth it alone, but with the ruin to see at the end, this is a definite hidden gem you should work into your San Juan County travel plans! Check out the full history in the photo below and at the bottom of the page a Google Map to get you there yourself!
Having recently graduated and wanting headshot portraits to celebrate the occasion, Maria visited the JCP Home Studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her mom to have a variety of photos made, some with her master’s white collar on, some with different sashes, and some with cap on or off. It is a complicated process to have the cap just right, the sash just right, and especially that white master’s collar is particularly troublesome to get to stay in place! In the end, Maria chose 7 headshot portraits and I am very pleased with the results were were able to get. It was a true team effort with myself, Maria, and her mom all helping to get these photos! Thank you Maria for choosing me as your grad headshot portrait photographer!
