About Santa Fe
Santa Fe is a dynamic city in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offering stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape. It’s an artistic city, home to numerous museums, galleries, restaurants, and shops that feature some of the finest local artwork. With its moderate climate and dry air, Santa Fe provides year-round outdoor activities perfect for enjoying the beautiful terrain and sunny skies.
For those looking for a unique video shoot location, Santa Fe may be an ideal choice. Its rolling hills and dramatic mountain topography provide a compelling backdrop for any video production. From rustic adobes to contemporary art spaces, many distinct venues within Santa Fe lend themselves perfectly to film shoots and offer photographers plenty of opportunities to capture unique angles on camera.
The city's unique blend of cultural influences also creates an interesting palette of colors and textures that can provide visual interest to any scene. Additionally, the town has plenty of professional audiovisual equipment rentals available, so filmmakers can access all needed gear without having to bring it in from out of town. Plus, Santa Fe's remote location ensures privacy during shoots, meaning there’s no need to worry about prying eyes or interference from passersby during filming.
Video Shoot Options in Santa Fe
- Videography
Cameras are an essential part of any video shoot. Santa Fe has many great locations that can offer the perfect backdrop for your project. Whether it’s a scenic mountain view or a downtown cityscape to be featured in your story, Santa Fe has it all. And when it comes to finding the right videographer for your project, the city has many qualified experts in filming.
- Catering
When catering for a video shoot, you need to find a vendor that can provide healthy and delicious food options. Video shoots can take hours, if not an entire day, to complete, so ensuring food is available to provide them with energy and nutrition is crucial. The good news is that Santa Fe has great catering companies that can make anything from breakfast burritos to gourmet dinners.
- Makeup Specialists
Makeup is an integral part of any video shoot, and makeup artists not only apply makeup for actors to look good but also ensure their appearance matches the video concept and theme. Thankfully, Santa Fe has many great makeup artists who can help you create the perfect look for your shoot. Ask about the artist's experience and portfolio to determine if their style suits your project.
Video Shoot Vendors in Santa Fe
- Narrative Media
This team uses the latest equipment to capture stunning images and videos that its clients can treasure for a lifetime. They understand that everyone has different needs, so they offer a range of services that can be customized to suit your requirements. Whether you're looking for 4k video production or commercial still photography, these creative professionals have you covered.
- Red Mesa Cuisine
Red Mesa cuisine is a reflection of the contemporary Southwest, with a focus on traditional Native American food. The company provides a one-of-a-kind dining experience that not only keeps authentic Native American foods alive but also bolsters the local food system's health.
- The Chatoyancy
The Chatoyancy understands that your hair is more than just a style - it's a part of who you are. That's why they offer a wide range of beauty services to make your look video-shoot-ready. Whether you're looking for a trim or a complete color change, their experienced stylists will work with you to create the perfect look. Their commitment to safety means that you can rest assured knowing you're in good hands.
Pros and Cons of Video Shoots in Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico, is an ideal location for shooting video productions. Whether it's a commercial spot or a music video, the city has something to offer everyone looking to capture the essence of Santa Fe on camera. Despite its many advantages, there are still some drawbacks to consider when deciding where to shoot your next video project.
Advantages
- With its mix of landscapes, from desert plateaus to lush forests and vibrant cityscapes, Santa Fe offers filmmakers plenty of choices when scouting locations for their projects.
- To match its variety of locations, Santa Fe also boasts a wide array of talented actors and crew members who draw from the local talent pool as well as from Los Angeles and New York City.
- From rental houses with a full range of equipment to production companies that can provide support and expertise throughout the pre-production and shooting process, filmmakers will find no shortage of resources in this area.
Disadvantages
- From scorching summer days to blustery winter months, weather conditions can vary dramatically in Santa Fe, making it difficult to plan shoots ahead with certainty.
- Many state parks charge fees for filming permits, which can quickly add up if filming in multiple locations around the city.
- Many popular filming locations require four-wheel drive vehicles, as access roads may not be easily accessible by two-wheel drive cars or vans.
Tips on How to Organize Video Shoots in Santa Fe
Many people are drawn to the beautiful city of Santa Fe for their video shoots. With its unique blend of adobe-style architecture and awe-inspiring nature, there is something for everyone here. But filming video in a new location can be daunting, especially if you don’t have experience organizing video shoots. Here are some tips for making sure your filming in Santa Fe runs smoothly:
- Research local regulations: Before setting out to film your video, make sure you research any local regulations that may impact your production. These can include licensing requirements or noise ordinances in certain areas of the city.
- Have a clear plan: Make sure you have a clear sense of what you want to achieve with your production, and create a detailed plan before arriving on location. This will help ensure you get all the shots necessary to produce your desired result while also helping you manage time more efficiently during filming.
- Dress appropriately: Santa Fe is known for its hot summers and cold winters, so it’s important to dress appropriately for temperature changes throughout the day and be prepared for any kind of weather conditions at any given moment. Check out current temperature forecasts before heading out so that you can best plan for comfortability during shooting hours.
- Contact locals: If you’re looking to find great locations outside the downtown area, contact local businesses or organizations who know the area well and can provide valuable tips about which sites might make great backdrops for your production. Additionally, they may be able to help secure permits or permissions from private owners whose land you would like to use as part of the shoot.
- Accessorize: To give your videos a professional touch, consider bringing key accessories such as reflectors or diffusers, lens filters, external monitors or recorders, jibs, or light stands/tripods if necessary. These pieces can all help enhance detail levels in the final product while preventing future editing nightmares due to poor lighting conditions during shooting times.
- Consider using a professional crew: If this is your first time producing a video in Santa Fe, and if budget allows it, why not hire an experienced crew that's familiar with filming in this area? They can help you pick ideal locations for the shoot, provide equipment best suited for each scene being shot, and ensure efficient execution throughout your shoot days.
Famous Locations in Santa Fe
- El Rancho de las Golondrinas
This living museum does a great job of recreating 18th-century ranch life, providing visitors with a fun and educational experience. It shares the state’s extraordinary story and the people who once lived there. You can join a guided tour with a knowledgeable guide who will explain the history of the area and the people who lived and worked during Spanish colonial times.
- Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
The museum is a premier repository of material culture and Native art. It chronicles the people of the Southwest's history from prehistory through contemporary art. It strives to educate and entertain a wide variety of people from different cultures through exhibitions, speeches, field trips, residencies for artists, and other programs.
- San Miguel Chapel
The San Miguel Chapel is a simple-looking yet historical church. It’s the oldest surviving church in the whole country, built around 1610. The chapel's exterior is made from earth-colored adobe bricks, while the interior is painted white. This color combination creates a feeling of calm and serenity. It contains unique artwork on its walls and an impressive altar.