All of New Mexico, In One Place

People riding a brightly lit ferris wheel at night, with colorful neon lights illuminating the structure and a dark sky background.

New Mexico State Fair

Since 2017, I have documented the New Mexico State Fair as the official fair photographer. That role has given me access to a side of the fair I never could have dreamed of as a documentary photographer. The fair lives on the public side, but it also lives in the early mornings, the back hallways, the barns, and the moments in between.

The best thing about the fair is that it is the only place and time you get all walks of life from all over New Mexico in the same place. That does not exist outside of this event. For a short stretch, the fairgrounds become a meeting point for the whole state. You can feel it in the crowds, in the accents, in the outfits, in the way people show up with their families and their pride.

People come for the midway and the food, but the fair is also built on tradition, agriculture, and competition. Livestock shows and 4-H sit right alongside rodeo nights, creative arts, and everything else that makes New Mexico what it is. It is loud, bright, chaotic, and somehow still personal.

New Mexico is my home. I have been going to the fair since I was a kid. I love talking to people and making portraits, and the fair gives me ten days of that at full volume. It is also long hours and hard work. But every year I come back because the fair is a mirror. It shows you who we are, all together, in one place, in the same light.

A woman dressed as a rodeo queen standing in front of a night photo stand at a fair, with a sign for the photo shop above. The stand has red and white striped curtains, various photographs on display, and signs advertising portrait packages, includin
Young Native American girl in traditional clothing holding a beaded object, standing outdoors with adobe buildings and a clear blue sky in the background.
Performer dressed in colorful costume holding a fan, with face paint, stage, cloudy sky background. New Mexico State Fair
An elderly woman with white hair and earrings aiming a gun at a carnival game booth with plush toys in the background. New Mexico State Fair
A night scene with a ski lift chair carrying two people against a cloudy, moonlit sky. New Mexico State Fair
A Native American dancer in traditional, colorful regalia, kneeling on the ground during a nighttime dance or ceremony, with an audience in the background. New Mexico State Fair
Group of girls dressed in colorful traditional Mexican dresses celebrating on parade float, holding American flags, with balloons and festive decorations. New Mexico State Fair
Two women riding horses at a rodeo, one in the foreground wearing a cowboy hat and patterned shirt, the other in the background with a number bib and plaid shirt, under a partly cloudy sky. New Mexico State Fair
Young women and girls in traditional folk dresses with colorful floral headbands, some with beads, participating in a festival or parade. One girl has a glass with a red beverage balanced on her head. New Mexico State Fair
A couple enjoying a ride on a Ferris wheel at night, with colorful neon lights, at a fairground. New Mexico State Fair
A Native American man dressed in traditional regalia, wearing a feathered headdress, face mask, and beaded clothing, at night with a dark blue sky and bright lights in the background. New Mexico State Fair
An elderly woman sitting in a shallow pool filled with yellow rubber ducks at a carnival or fair, with a young man standing beside her. Behind them are colorful plush toys and game signs. New Mexico State Fair
A carnival game stall titled "Water Gun Fun" with bright, colorful flags on top and plush toys on shelves inside. People line up in front, playing and waiting for their turn while the evening sky is in the background. New Mexico State Fair
A woman smiling at a booth selling food or drinks, wearing a blue polo shirt, surrounded by colorful decorations and flags, including American flags. New Mexico State Fair
Nighttime scene at a fair with a brightly lit Ferris wheel, people queuing and walking around, and other rides visible in the background. New Mexico State Fair
A woman with curly, voluminous hair and braces, smiling at the camera, wearing jewelry and a brown jacket. New Mexico State Fair
Three young girls in traditional Mexican dresses with colorful flowers in their hair, standing against a brick wall. New Mexico State Fair
A man in traditional Native American clothing with large feathered wings on his back, performing a dance outdoors during daytime. New Mexico State Fair
A young woman in traditional Mexican dress with colorful stripes, lace details, and ruffles, smiling and dancing at a celebration or festival. New Mexico State Fair
A performer on a tall unicycle juggling flaming objects in front of an audience at an outdoor event with trees in the background. New Mexico State Fair
A woman dressed in traditional Native American attire, wearing beaded jewelry with colorful patterns, feathers in her hair, and a decorated vest, standing outdoors with blurred trees and sky in the background.
A Native American man dressed in traditional regalia, including feathers and colorful beadwork, participates in a cultural dance outdoors during dusk with a crowd in the background. New Mexico State Fair
A police officer walking hand-in-hand with a young girl in a yellow dress in a busy outdoor area with other pedestrians in the background. New Mexico State Fair
Native American dancer performing at night, dressed in vibrant red and blue traditional regalia with feathers and fringe, with an audience watching in the background. New Mexico State Fair
A young woman with brown hair and dark eyebrows leaning on a metal barrier at a nighttime carnival, looking worried. A young man behind her, hugging her, with brightly lit amusement rides in the background.
A woman sitting inside a vintage green car, looking out the window, parked among other classic cars outdoors. New Mexico State Fair
A person dressed in a costume with face paint, wearing a witch hat, holding a red and black parasol, and surrounded by glowing red light sticks during a performance or celebration. New Mexico State Fair
Two young women at a fair wearing cowboy hats, standing close together and smiling. One has blonde hair and wears a camouflage t-shirt, the other has long wavy hair and wears a patterned shirt. They hold snacks and stand in front of colorful carnival
A young family posing together outdoors at night, with string lights in the background. The man is holding a baby girl, and the woman stands next to them.
Native American man performing a traditional dance at a cultural event, dressed in elaborate colorful regalia with feathers, beadwork, and accessories.
A young woman smiling and holding plush toys at a carnival game booth with colorful stuffed animals displayed on shelves behind her.
A man with short dark hair, wearing a light blue denim shirt partially unbuttoned, light blue jeans, an eye patch over his right eye, a necklace with a cross, and a large belt buckle, standing outdoors with trees and people in the background.
A performer dressed in a colorful, elaborate costume with green and blue fabric, feathers, and accessories, holding a green fan, standing outdoors with a crowd watching.
A young boy dressed in traditional Native American attire, including a feathered headdress, colorful beaded clothing, and bells on his shoes, participating in a cultural dance or celebration.
Two young boys with face paint, making peace signs at an outdoor festival or fair, with colorful tents and people in the background.
A woman with dark curly hair, makeup, and a white flower in her hair, resting her head on her hand at a fairground booth with signs advertising prizes and prices in the background.
A young boy holding an umbrella in the rain, smiling and enjoying the wet weather on a city street.
A smiling young boy with soap on his face, wearing a gray Nike t-shirt with a badge and rain stains, standing outdoors on a wet surface.
Children riding a colorful swing carousel at an amusement park.
A young woman smiling and wearing a cowboy hat, red shirt, and decorative western-style pants, sitting on a horse during a rodeo event.
A man with tattoos, wearing a black cap, sunglasses, a dark short-sleeve shirt with embroidery, and a gold chain, holding a microphone on stage with green lighting in the background.
A woman and a boy share a tender moment with their foreheads touching and eyes closed at an outdoor gathering.
Two women dressed in traditional and festive attire riding in the back of a black vintage truck during a parade, with an audience and flags in the background on a city street.