Let critics say what they will about selfies - there’s no better way to remember one-of-a-kind places than by putting yourself right in the heart of the action. Iconic spots for making memories abound in Santa Fe, a truly iconic city in and of itself. Everyone has a favorite posing place, but I thought it would be interesting to take an informal selfie survey gathered from our photo-happy followers and friends.
Make A Point of Posing On the Plaza
I’m sure you’ve seen countless pictures with the Washington Mounment in the background when friends visit Washington D.C. You can simply transfer the scene to a portrait by the obelisk on our Santa Fe Plaza! The historic Palace of the Governors looks much as it did 400 years ago and makes a great backdrop for your shot. Just remember – if you’re including one of the Native American artists who sell their wares under the Palace portal, be sure to ask permission before taking the photo. When you tire of Plaza pics, trot over to the New Mexico Museum of Art to see some old school selfies.
In days gone by, getting an artistic selfie was a labor of love. (Photo Credit: Self-Portrait, Emil Bisttram, 1935, Collection of the New Mexico Museum of Art)
Get Religion About Your Pictures
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis de Assisi, a long handle for the town’s tallest (yes!) building, has a host of spots for self-capture. Outside, you can’t beat the Bishop’s Garden, with an absolute perfection of blossoming trees and forsythia to showcase your pink cheeks. Or catch moment with the azure sky above the unfinished Romanesque belltowers (incomplete only because the founder of the Cathedral,Bishop Lamy, passed away). Inside, look to the soft flickering of red votive candles lit with requests to La Conquistadora.
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You can give your selfie some mystery when you add Santa Fe history! (Photo Credit: @santafered)
Picture Yourself Artistic
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Any time of day is a good time for a walk on Canyon Road. (Photo Credit: @fx_cordero)
Let’s face it – you’re already planning to stroll Canyon Road, so be sure your phone is charged. Renowned for the hundreds of galleries that line its path up the canyon, this historic street is a must-do activity in the City Different and it’s also lined with sculptures and colorful paintings to inspire your creativity.
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Artist Dawn Chandler lets her Studio Mascot fill the frame! (Photo Credit: @taosdawn)
Sculpting the Perfect Selfie
Once Canyon Road whets your appetite for art, hop in the car and head to Shidoni Sculpture Garden for an afternoon of photo-crafting. Five miles north of the Plaza, Shidoni has a grassy lawn dotted with artworks ranging from sharply angled modernist steel to folk art whimsies. Shooting at Shidoni means you earn a post-production meal at the Tesuque Village Market for a taste of the Tesuque locals’ scene.
Picture yourself being served a wood-fired brick oven pizza at Tesuque Village Market. (Photo Credit: Tesuque Village Market)
Put On A Fresh Face
Now that I have your attention––food photos always do that––you should know that our Santa Fe Farmers’ Market is one of the country’s best (Mother Nature knows!). With a plethora of farm-fresh goodies to savor at home or munch on the fly, foodies will definitely want to set up a tripod or just point and shoot. Our farmers are pretty photogenic too, so don’t hesitate to ask them to pose with you and their hand-crafted goodies or gorgeous greens.
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Santa Fe Culinary Academy Chef Rocky Durham gets his selfie on at the Santa Fe Farmers Market. (Photo Credit: @santafeculinarycacdemy)
Make Your Portrait Garden Gorgeous
If you’re transfixed by scenic greenery, zip over to focus on the Santa Fe Botanical Garden. Two ramadas, signature stonework and the garden’s rotating sculpture exhibits all offer Instagram inspiration aplenty. By posing with Sun and Moon Mountains peeking over your shoulder or leaning on the signature red bridge, you’ll prove without a doubt that you know your way to Santa Fe.
Be Your Own Muse At Museum Hill
Once you’ve found wandered the Botanical Garden, you need only walk across the road to further your photo fantasies. Home to four separate museums (the Museum of Spanish Colonial Arts, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Museum of International Folk Art and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian), Milner Plaza is the go-to for both panoramic vistas and great art. Since each museum has a gift shop that mirrors its collection, you can pick up some fun props before posing.
You provide the camera and Santa Fe will provide the colorful scene for a photo shoot.
Star In Your Own Santa Fe Travelogue
Bring the selfie stick or leave it at home – either way, you’re sure to locate that perfect backdrop for your City Different getaway photo roll.You can even go pro by following the trail of the film professionals! Quirky or sedate, wedding party shenanigans or hiking in the high country, Santa Fe has been photogenic for centuries. It’s never too late for you to get in the picture, too!
