Location Inspiration

I’ve included my favorite locations for you to reference below with some info on each spot like best times to shoot, availability and best attire for certain spots. I’m always open to new spots and adventures, so if you have ideas that you don’t see here, just fill me in and we can begin pinning down the details.

Christy G. Creative Studio at Epic Railyard

My studio space lends itself to all sessions and includes the natural light room, studio room, hallway shots, and rooftop. If the downstairs venue, Epic Railyard, is free and available, we can also grab shots in the Star Room!

My studio has bathrooms downstairs and provides good light in most weather situations. Please keep in mind that my studio is located upstairs, in a building that is over 100 years old (WOWZA!) so while it is gorgeous, things are well-loved, lived in, and a little rickety. The studio does have AC, but the space is so vast and the windows so old, that it can get toasty in the summer, but we always grab the best shots no matter what!

Northeast Mountains

My most requested outdoor spot to shoot! The space provides stellar views of the Northeast Mountains, beautiful plant life, and great golden hour light. There is also a teepee on the trail for those it appeals to and lots of open space to shoot. I always encourage clients to wear closed- toe shoes to navigate through the gravel and desert terrain. If you’d like to bring heels or sandals, we can change in and out of them as we hop around shooting!

Downtown/ Plaza Area

Downtown is a great spot for urban photos, beautiful buildings and busy bustling imagery. I encourage to bring around comfy walking shoes as we move through downtown, and remember that it is a bustling area so there will be people around and about during our session.

Red Sands

Red Sands is a park that provides that White Sands feel, with darker sands and without the extensive travel/cost. This location requires us to off-road into the dunes, but I’m happy to meet you where you park so you and yours can pop into my Jeep and I’ll drive us in!

Please keep in mind that this location is frequented by off-roaders, so there is a large chance the sand dunes will be covered with tire tracks. This location is also littered with trash and glass, so closed-toe shoes is a must, and once we’re in a spot where the coast is clear you can take off your shoes for the dreamy shots!

White Sands

White Sands is the most requested and loved location of them all! Its views are stunning, and the photos always produce out-of-this-world results. Located in Alamogordo, this location requires extra planning and instructions for the best results and experience. The 2.5-hour drive one way for me (I’m a Horizon City Girl!) is well worth it, I’m always in love with the families who trust me to deliver their vision in the dunes. This location does require a lot of walking, and the dunes can be tougher than you might think to climb, but I conquered those dunes well into my seventh month of pregnancy with my husband right behind so take that as encouragement for any mamas hoping to be captured here. I charge an additional $250 to travel to White Sands and it’s worth the trip.

Socorro Pecan Trees

The beautiful Pecan trees are one of my favorite spots to shoot. The trees provide the most beautiful backdrop from June until late November but will lose their leaves and stay bare on the first freeze in late November. Please keep in mind that this location is in Socorro, so consider the additional driving into your plans and please please please remember to douse yourself in mosquito spray. I always try to keep a can in my car, but I promise you this will make our time together so much more pleasant since some of the mosquitoes out there are larger than some chihuahuas I’ve met. In more recent sessions, I’m finding that the best time to shoot in the Pecan Orchards is September-November, the mosquito situation is much more manageable.

UTEP

I capture plenty of grad sessions at UTEP and surprisingly also many families, couples, and portrait sessions too! UTEP is great about keeping its campus green, well-landscaped and gorgeous year-round and I frequently point clients to this El Paso gem.

Keystone Heritage Park

Another little gem in Far West El Paso, this park has beautiful spots that make great backdrops. This park does charge $50 to capture onsite, but the views and intimacy this park brings is worth the investment.

Union Plaza Park

A timeless spot located downtown, Union Plaza always provides the perfect classic feel for any session. With red brick buildings, a tiny green park, and plenty of urban pockets of interest, you can’t go wrong with this location.

Upper Valley by the Rio

Close to the water, tucked away in a neighborhood on the far west side of EP is a beautiful spot for long grass and a gorgeous tire swing tree. This spot is a beauty, and I’ve loved every session captured here. This session is about a 7-minute walk in and during some parts of the year, mosquitoes are present. Nature comes with natural creatures but it’s worth it!

And the list is open-ended!

I have shot at dozens of other spots in El Paso but to keep things simple and provide a good place to start, I hope this list was helpful! I’m always open to new ideas, locations, and conversations to help make your vision come to life. Now that you’ve seen the favorites, please let me know what stands out and we can continue the conversation and get you in the books!

xo Christy G.