Graduation is fast approaching for New Mexico seniors, with less than four months until cap-and-gown day. As with any special occasion, good photos are a must-have. And, as the saying goes, the key to many great photos is location, location, location. The Journal spoke to two local photographers to ask about some of their favorite spots for portraits around the state. Kate Buckles is a photographer based in Albuquerque, and after eight years in business, she knows more than a few good spots for a great shoot. “I primarily focus on anything family-related — so seniors, families, newborns, maternity, that type of thing,” Buckles said. “So my goal as a photographer is to be able to stick with you your whole life.” Buckles said a big determining factor for a location is the season at the time of the shoot. But for senior portraits especially, she likes to have a lot of variety. Daniel Quat is a Santa Fe-based photographer who has been shooting for over 50 years. Quat emphasized the importance of the photographer’s experience and knowledge of the area when deciding to schedule a photo session. “Explore the photographer’s work, explore their experience, look at their reviews before you pick somebody,” Quat said. “Don’t just pick someone out of Google and call them and say, ‘How much do you charge?’ Don’t make it all about the price, really look at their experience.”
Downtown or Old Town — Albuquerque
Old Town has a variety of shopping and dining options such as a "Breaking Bad" store.
The historic San Felipe de Neri Perish has been part of the community since 1706.
LOCATION: 2005 N Plaza NW, 505-243-3628
HOURS: The museum and gift shop is open 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Daily
Breaking Bad RV Tours can be booked online.
The cost is $95 and includes a virtual tour as well.
LOCATION: 1919 Old Town NW, 505-205-7292
HOURS: Tours start at 9:00AM Thursdays thru Monday.
History and Ghost Tours of Old Town are a fun way to get a new perspective on the city.
Tickets can be purchased online and there is also the option for virtual tours.
LOCATION: 303 Romero NW, 505-246-TOUR (8687)
HOURS: 8 p.m. public tour; 10 p.m. moonlight ghost tour
em070213b/jnorth/daily/ People walk along Canyon Road, in Santa Fe, Tuesday July 2, 2013. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
pvc010113a/1-1-13/asec. Sisters Bailey Bennett (CQ), bottom center, who lives in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Halley Bennett (CQ), right in red, who lives in Madrid, Spain, climb among the boulders in the Sandia Foothills near Embudito Canyon, photographed Tuesday Jan. 1, 2013. (Pat Vasquez-Cunningham/Journal)
The White Ridge Bike Trails area in San Ysidro, N.M., on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. This formation of white rock is about a quarter mile from the trail parking lot. Liam DeBonis/Journal
Courtesy Sterling Nesbitt The Ghost Ranch area, where the fossil remains of a new dinosaur, Tawa hallae, were discovered jfleck@abqjournal.com Wed Dec 09 17:08:39 -0700 2009 1260403716 FILENAME: 75441.jpg