Mountain setting for Airbnb in the La Luz area of Albuquerque New Mexico
Hidden far up La Luz in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is this Airbnb nestled in a stunning mountain setting. I took my camera and drone through winding dirt roads to reach this Airbnb to make professional photos of it as the owner wants to stand out from all the competition in Albuquerque. I sent the drone up first to show the Airbnb listing’s proximity to the Sandia Mountains and hiking trails. Inside, I featured using a wide angle lens the open floor plan of the main level, and then the two upstairs bedrooms. Switching lenses I then made highlighting photos of the features in this Airbnb, like a crib for a baby, high chairs, and a cool bean bag chair for lounging around. My goal when photographing an Airbnb is showing others what I would want to see if I were considering this Airbnb listing using my 10+ years experience of staying in Airbnbs all over the U.S.
Many visits to Socorro County west of Belen in New Mexico
Socorro County New Mexico, near Belen in particular, is one of the areas I have visited the most in my 5+ years of photographing hundreds of rural land real estate properties. Then even more specifically, this area near the small airport west of Belen, high up on a plain bordered by mountains I return to multiple times each year. It is a peaceful area, and once you go south a bit, you feel like the entire desert is just yours. Walking this land with my two cameras is a peaceful photography work experience. The only noise comes when I send the drone up to get aerial photos of the entire 5 acres.
Spending sunset time in the desert of New Mexico for real estate photography
Lately I’ve been to both Valencia County and Torrence County in New Mexico several times on rural land real estate photography shoots. This is an opportunity to go to an area that is usually pretty remote and quiet and just listen to the desert as the daytime shift gives way to the nighttime shift. Plus, if the clouds are right, the big sky sunsets make for great views.
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.
Ladron Peak is 20 miles from anything in New Mexico desert
Driving further down dirt road than I nearly ever did before on a rural land shoot, I passed by Ladron Peak along the way to my actual destination. After nearly 20 miles on seldom traveled dirt road, I pulled over to send the drone up to capture views of Ladron Peak and the surrounding mesas. Even from the view of my DJI Mavic 3 Cine drone, I saw no one and nothing in this area. If you are looking for a remote mountain peak to hike, Ladron Peak is for you!
When you visit Tucson, Arizona, you have the opportunity on the same day, to walk among a forest of saguaro cactus in the desert and snow covered pine trees atop a mountain peak. Tucson is definitely more famous for its cactus, but Mount Lemmon is a fantastic change of scenery to have just a short drive from town. If you time the drive just right, you can arrive at the peak (or rather near it, as there is no defined peak you can actually drive to) in time to see the sunset over the sweeping valley and smaller peaks below. This means when visiting Tucson you can pack both your shorts and your snow pants and use them on the same day!
Hidden Gem of a mountain lake in northern New Mexico
New Mexico has dual environmental personalities. The lower half of the state is mostly sand and baron. The upper half, is mostly mountainous and tree covered. So when you think New Mexico is a desert state, it’s hard to also picture that there is a place like Eagle Nest Lake State Park that is a mountain lake surrounded by tall grass and other flora. Hiking paths will take you all around the lake with pivoting views of different mountains. This is a place to come and cool off from the extreme summer heat. It was only 74F for a high on this day in late August! Check out the map below to visit this hidden gem mountain lake oasis.
