21 Best Photography Spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, the state capital, is located on the southwestern slopes of the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains, on a tributary of the Rio Grande. Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American cultural elements all come together to create the unique vibe of this exciting and interesting city.

Travel bloggers love to talk about their experiences capturing incredible photos, the best locations, and the low light photography tips. They are a very important piece of content in any blog because they inspire other travel bloggers to go out and explore different places to take photographs.

Here are the 21 best photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and also a list of things you could do while you’re here. Maybe you’ll get inspired and do some shooting yourself.

BEST GEAR TO PHOTOGRAPH SANTA FE MEXICO

Always invest in better equipment. For clear photos with depth and closeness, you need the holy trinity of lenses, which are: A telephoto (14–24 mm or comparable), 24-70 mm lens and 70–200 mm zoom that will enable you to shoot beautiful photos from distances that others are unable to reach without climbing to the top of furniture.

Investing in tripods is also highly recommended because they make positioning yourself properly much easier than using your hands, which may tremble during lengthy shooting sessions.

1. Pecos Pueblo

Is an old ruin located just outside of Santa Fe that was created long before any western Europeans arrived? This site dates back over a millennium and was inhabited by the Ancient Pueblo people.

The Spanish Mission Church, which tells the tale of the Spanish settlers and their impact on the locals, can be found here. So if you’re looking to snap some amazing shots. This is the perfect spot. There are also signs of a fierce Civil War battle between the Union and the Confederacy in the area.

2. Loretto Chapel

The Loretto Chapel, a fine example of Gothic architecture, is one of the most photographed places in Santa Fe. The story behind it is that it was built in 1878 on a hillside above the town and was completely funded by donations from local nuns. Over the years, it has been used as a schoolhouse and today houses the small chapel museum which includes artifacts donated to the convent throughout its history. Don’t miss your chance to see this amazing structure. It is one of the best photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

3. El Rancho de Las Golondrinas

This popular attraction is one of the best photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Located just north of the city, it makes a great day trip and offers plenty of photo opportunities. El Rancho de Las Golondrinas is 18 acres filled with gardens, waterfalls, ponds, streams, and wooded areas. Walk through the gift shop before or after your tour and pick up a souvenir to remember your visit.

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas is a historic adobe ranch house on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The name means “House of the Swallows” in Spanish. Built-in the early 1800s, it was rehabilitated by the artist Taos Society of Artists and opened as a museum in 1940. Designed in retaliation to the English-style homes of its time, El Rancho de Las Golondrinas is an example of Spanish Colonial architecture that uses adobe bricks as its primary building material. El Rancho also features hand-carved woodwork and 17th/18th-century antique furniture.

4. Canyon Road

Canyon Road is near the bottom of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which makes the area even more beautiful.

This is enough to make it a picturesque trail and one of the most popular photography spots in Santa Fe that shows off the history of the city’s world-famous art scene with a wide range of arts, crafts, restaurants, and shops to check out. This place has hundreds of art galleries, quirky clothing shops, artist studios, vintage jewelry shops, and handcrafted furniture emporia.

5. Santa Fe Plaza

The Plaza, a market area built by the Spaniards near the terminus, is one of the most popular photography spots in Santa Fe.

The Plaza is still a busy place today, surrounded by many shops, salons, restaurants, and bars. It is the best place in the city to buy handmade jewelry and other Native American arts and crafts. The Plaza is a place where both tourists and locals like to hang out. This is one of the best places to visit in Santa Fe because it is where many of the city’s special events, especially cultural celebrations, take place.

6. Fort Marcy Park

Fort Marcy Park is one of the best photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It sits right up against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains so you can also get some great shots of these pretty jagged peaks. The park consists of several sections and offers great photo opportunities, especially in spring when the cherry trees are in bloom. A 2-mile drive on this scenic loop gives you plenty of room to explore. With its great year-round temperatures, world-class galleries, and museums, both locals and visitors love dining out in this gorgeous town.

7. Oldest House Museum

One of the best photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico, The Oldest House Museum is a great place to visit with family, or even alone. It’s a beautiful building and just wandering through it will make you feel like an old-time traveler. Try not to get lost in the hallways – there’s plenty to explore and discover!

8. Santa Fe Opera House

The Opera House is the most important place for performing arts in the state and one of Santa Fe’s most popular photography spots and tourist destinations. It shows a wide range of choral works, including classics like Madame Butterfly. It still shows the best new shows, like Doctor Atomic, to this day.

Tailgating is one of Santa Fe’s most beloved traditions. It’s a very unusual sight to see groups of people dressed up and eating fancy food in the parking lot.

9. Sky Railway

The sky railway is one of the best photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Sky Railway is a great place to spend the day. The best part about it is the view, and the second best part is the train ride. This railway in Santa Fe, New Mexico takes you on a 20-minute scenic ride overlooking the city as you travel through high desert and mesas; there are beautiful vistas of red rock formations that are like nothing else I’ve ever seen.

10. Martyrs’ Cross

A hilltop park with a crucifix located just northeast of the plaza offers some of the best sunset views in the city. The cross was built to remember the 21 Franciscan friars who died fighting against colonial rule. If you’re looking for photography spots in Santa Fe and want to make the trip at sunset, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful sunset and one of the best things to do in Santa Fe this weekend. Even the history, which is written on plaques, is interesting.

11. Burro Alley

Burro Alley is one of the best photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The path leading to the alleyway is a small unpaved path that only can be found by locals. For those wanting to get away from the “touristy” areas for pictures and to experience a bit of Santa Fe culture, hitting up Burro Alley will be a memorable experience. Find beauty in the simple things that make the city unique, like the unique spelling of street names or their unique style of architecture.

12. Ghost Ranch

A popular filming location, the ghost ranch sees its fair share of Hollywood camera shots every year. The beautiful desert and mountains and scenery provide plenty of photograph-worthy locations located throughout the ranch. Ghost Ranch, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico is one of the best photography spots in the area. The landscape is awe-inspiring and captivating. Ghost Ranch, which was once a working ranch and is now the site of spiritual retreats, provides stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

13. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, you can see a scene that looks like it’s from another world. It’s one of the most famous photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  These cone-shaped rock formations are part of a landscape in the Southwest United States that is one of the most interesting and interesting places to visit. 

There are a lot of strange sights and natural landscapes in New Mexico that look like they belong on the moon. At this national monument, you can see a variety of white rock canyons and tall cone-shaped cylinders as you walk along a mix of smooth slopes and rocky cliffs. Six to seven million years ago, volcanoes erupted, making cone-shaped tents of rock. When you’re here, you’ll see that the cones range in height from a few feet to more than 90 feet! As you move through these structures that look like needles, you’ll wonder if they are real or not. One thing is certain: going to the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is an experience you will never forget.

14. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains

One of the most beautiful photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico can be found in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. There are a number of trails, such as the Atalaya Upper and Lower Trailheads and the Dale Ball Trails, that let you see the beautiful New England countryside. Each one has beautiful places to look at and take photos.

Skiing and hiking are two of the best activities in the mountains of northern New Mexico. while taking photos and enjoying the beautiful sights and sounds of the surrounding nature.

15. Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi

It is also called Saint Francis Cathedral. It is the main church of the Santa Fe Archdiocese. One of the most photography spots in Santa Fe. The church has a statue of La Conquistadora, the Virgin Mary.

It is appropriately referred to as the “heart of Santa Fe” because it is the mother church of the dioceses in the country’s southwest. This beautiful cathedral basilica is made holy not only by the building materials but also by the images of the saints and the deep Catholic faith of those who built it and have worshiped here for many years.

16.Santa Fe Railyard Park

The Railyard Park is one of the best photography spots in Santa Fe and probably the most well-known, and for good reason. This one-of-a-kind park is close to the Santa Fe Plaza. It fits in with the area’s rich culture of art, nature, and science. During the summer, the park is full of people and events, like Santa Fe’s farmers market.

17. Meow Wolf Spider Statue

One of the best photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico is the Meow Wolf Spider Statue. A pointed top with glowing eyes and arms outstretched ready to embrace or capture you. The spider sculpture can be found outside at Meow Wolf Santa Fe, a truly unique indoor/outdoor art museum that was once a bowling alley and a water park!

18. Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian

The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian is one of the best photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Dedicated to sharing the art and culture of contemporary Native American artists, the museum is located in a beautiful location with stunning architecture by famed architect Alfred McArthur. The museum has made it easy for photographers to bring home stunning photos of their trip with a photography guidebook complete with tips, history, and locations of great views.

19. Santa Fe Botanical Garden

The Santa Fe Botanical Garden is one of the best photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It has many unique features that make it a wonderful place to visit and photograph. The Santa Fe Botanical Garden is a stunning place to visit for something unique and different. The grounds are beautiful year-round, but a garden is also an excellent place for spring and fall wedding ceremonies. The garden is also adjacent to several hotels, restaurants, museums, and shops in downtown Santa Fe so there’s plenty more to do after your walk through the land of flowers!
20. Luminaria on Adobe Building

 

Luminaria on Adobe Building is one of the best photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico. With its great light and wonderful ambiance, this location is sure to make any photographer happy. You can use it as a reference for your own photograph-taking endeavors or simply admire it for its beauty and style. Looking at adobe buildings all day while working in the city gets pretty old. 

21. Ski Santa Fe

Ski Santa Fe is one of the best photography spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It’s an iconic image: a beautiful, blue sky and a perfectly designed ski run framed against the backdrop of a reddish mountain range. Since its high elevation and dry climate make for perfect skiing weather, this location is especially popular for winter weddings and portraits. The ski area of Santa Fe, New Mexico is known as one of the best photography spots on the continent. It offers sweeping views of the Pecos Mountains and a vast mountain valley where skiers can enjoy steep bowls, glades, and tree runs.

THESE ARE THE LISTS OF THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTS IN SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

Santa Fe, New Mexico is one of the most photogenic cities in the United States because it is small, walkable, and features charming Pueblo-style architecture. So, that’s our list of the best places in Santa Fe, New Mexico to take pictures. We hope that it helps, and as always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need help planning your trip. We love showing people everything Santa Fe New Mexico has to offer. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. And if you haven’t been to any of these places yet, we highly recommend adding them to your itinerary.