New Mexico Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews

Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in New Mexico? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.

Filming in New Mexico

For an introduction to shooting in New Mexico see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.

New Mexico Film Locations

New Mexico is known for its spectacular Western landscapes of rock formations, volcanic landscapes, deserts, mountains, plains, forests, and adobe architecture.

Agricultural film locations include farms that produce hay, pecans, chilli peppers, pine nuts, pinto beans, cattle, dairy, and sheep. New Mexico mines oil and natural gas, uranium, manganese, potash, salt, perlite, copper, beryllium, and tin. Energy locations include coal and natural gas fired power plants, as well as wind and solar farms.

The state is a popular location to double for other places. Hell or Highwater (2016) and No Country for Old Men (2007) both doubled New Mexico for West Texas. Lone Survivor (2013) doubled New Mexico for Afghanistan.

New Mexico has hosted a long list of productions including Oppenheimer (2023), The Curse (2023), Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), House of Cards (2013-2018), The Avengers (2012), Longmire (2012-2017), Hell or Highwater (2016), The Magnificent Seven (2016), Sully (2016), The Lone Ranger (2013), Lone Survivor (2013), Breaking Bad (2008-2013), Thor (2011), True Grit (2010), Let Me In (2010), Terminator Salvation (2009), The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009), Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), No Country for Old Men (2007), Transformers (2007), 3:10 to Yuma (2007), Armageddon (1998), Contact (1997), Buffalo Girls (1995), Wyatt Earp (1994), Natural Born Killers (1994), City Slickers (1991), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Lonesome Dove (1989), Young Guns (1988), Silverado (1985), and Superman (1978).

Santa Fe is the state capital. The city is known for its Pueblo-style architecture and large creative community. Film locations of note include Santa Fe Plaza, Santa Fe Opera House, State Capitol Building, Santa Fe Railyard, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, and Santa Fe Botanical Garden. Museums of note include Museum of International Folk Art, New Mexico Museum of Art, Meow Wolf Santa Fe, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, and Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. The College of Santa Fe featured in True Grit (2010), Terminator Salvation (2009), No Country for Old Men (2007), and City Slickers (1991). “Old Main” New Mexico State Penitentiary is a defunct prison located just outside of Santa Fe.

Albuquerque is the state’s largest city. Sitting in the high desert of central New Mexico, its modern city skyline contrasts with its Old Town looks. Film locations of note include Old Town Plaza, National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, Albuquerque Museum, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, Unser Racing Museum, American International Rattlesnake Museum, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Cliff’s Amusement Park, Sandia Peak Tramway, Albuquerque Rail Yards, Albuquerque New Mexico LDS Temple, KiMo Theatre, University of New Mexico campus, University Stadium, Spaceship House, Z Pulsed Power Facility, highway overpasses, modern mansions, and desert golf courses. Kirtland Air Force Base featured in Terminator Salvation (2009), and Transformers (2007). The Avengers (2012) filmed Atrisco Heritage Academy High School. Breaking Bad (2008-2013) filmed throughout Albuquerque. Let Me In (2010) also filmed in Albuquerque.

Taos is a town in northern New Mexico’s high desert, bounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It’s known for historic adobe buildings such as Taos Pueblo. Terminator Salvation (2009) and Natural Born Killers (1994) were partly filmed at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.

Los Alamos was home to the Manhattan Project. Oppenheimer (2023), and Let Me In (2010) filmed in Los Alamos.

Trinity Site is the location of the first detonation of a nuclear weapon.

Truth or Consequences is known for its hot springs.

Tucumcari is known for its classic Route 66 roadside motels, diners, and gas stations.

Gallup is known for its classic Route 66 roadside locations including El Morro Theatre, El Rancho Hotel, Armco Gas Station, Denny’s Diner, and the Lariat Lodge. Gallup hosted Natural Born Killers (1994), and Superman (1978).

Las Vegas and surrounding areas have hosted many film and TV series including House of Cards (2013-2018), Longmire (2012-2017), True Grit (2010), No Country for Old Men (2007), Natural Born Killers (1994), and Wyatt Earp (1994).

Roswell is known for its UFO sites, International UFO Museum And Research Center, and the New Mexico Military Institute where The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) was filmed.

Very Large Array (VLA) satellite dishes feature in Terminator Salvation (2009), Armageddon (1998), and Contact (1997).

The New Mexico Museum of Space History is located in Alamogordo.

Spaceport America is the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport, and a hub for Virgin Galactic.

Holloman Air Force Base featured in Sully (2016), and Transformers (2007).

The Cumbres Toltec Railroad was filmed for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Wyatt Earp (1994).

Ski resorts of note include Taos Ski Valley, Angel Fire Resort, Sandia Peak, Sipapu Ski Resort, Ski Apache, Pajarito, Red River Ski Area, and Ski Santa Fe.

Billy The Kid Museum is located in Fort Sumner.

The Lightning Field is an artwork of 400 stainless steel poles by sculptor Walter De Maria.

El Santuario de Chimayó is a Roman Catholic church and contemporary pilgrimage site in Chimayó.

White Sands National Monument featured in Stargate Universe (2009-2011), Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), Transformers (2007), and Young Guns II (1990).

Shiprock is a spectacular rocky hill that rises up from a vast desert plain. Shiprock featured in Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), Transformers (2007), and Natural Born Killers (1994).

Carlsbad Caverns National Park in the Chihuahuan Desert features over a 100 caves.

El Malpais National Monument is known for its lava flows, cinder cones, rock formations, and other volcanic landscapes. El Calderon is a lava cave that bats fly out of at dusk during the summer months.

City of Rocks State Park has a landscape of boulders.

Bottomless Lakes State Park is known for its cenotes.

Cimarron Canyon State Park is known for the cliffs of Palisades Sill.

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is a badlands location of hoodoos, balancing rocks, and colourful cliffs.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is known for its tent rocks, slot canyons, and colourful cliffs.

Capulin Volcano National Monument is an extinct cinder cone volcano.

Gila National Forest is a landscape of rugged mountains, deep canyons, mesas, semi-desert, and hot springs. Wildlife of note include black bears, bald eagles, cougars, bobcats, elk, and bighorn sheep.

Lincoln National Forest is an area of forested mountains and sub-alpine grasslands. The forest was the home of Smokey Bear.

Bosque del Apache is known for its migration of the Sandhill cranes in the fall.

Other spectacular nature locations include the Rio Grande River, Box Canyon, Flat Top Rock, Florida Mountains, Sierra Blanca Peak, Todilto Bowl Canyon, Organ Mountains, Venus Needle, and Cabezon Peak.

Bandelier National Monument in the Jemez Mountains, is an archaeological location of Ancient Pueblan sites.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park has an array of Ancient Pueblan archaeological sites.

Petroglyph National Monument has thousands of petroglyphs carved by the Ancient Pueblo people.

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is known for its Mogollon cliff dwellings.

Aztec Ruins National Monument is a Pueblo Indian archaeological site.

Pecos National Historical Park includes the ruins of Pecos Pueblo.

Tribal lands of note include the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Nation, Zuni Indian Reservation, Laguna Pueblo, Mescalero Apache Reservation, Mescalero Apache Reservation, Acoma Indian Reservation, and Pueblo of Isleta.

New Mexico has several Western film sets located near Santa Fe:

Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch hosted productions such as The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018), 3:10 to Yuma (2007), Buffalo Girls (1995), Lonesome Dove (1989), Young Guns (1988), and Silverado (1985).

Eaves Movie Ranch hosted productions such as The Magnificent Seven (2016), Wyatt Earp (1994), Lonesome Dove (1989), and Silverado (1985).

Cerro Pelon Ranch hosted productions such as Thor (2011), Wyatt Earp (1994), Lonesome Dove (1989), and Silverado (1985).

Ghost Ranch featured in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018), The Magnificent Seven (2016), Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), and City Slickers (1991).

New Mexico Film Location Permits

Permits are required for filming on federal, state, and tribal lands, as well as city properties, historic sites and highways. Proof of insurance is required. Please contact us for location specific information.

When To Shoot?

New Mexico has a semi-arid to arid climate with abundant sunshine and little year-round rainfall.

• Santa Fe residents burn Zozobra in September.
• The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta takes place in October.

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in the United States.

Unique Local Stories

Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.

If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.

If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.

New Mexico Tax Incentives For Filming

New Mexico Film Crew & Talent

Crew. New Mexico has a good pool of local film crew.

Contact us if you are looking for a Albuquerque, ‎Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and Farmington based director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew in New Mexico.

Talent. The state’s population is predominately Caucasian and Latino. New Mexico is also home to a large Native American population which includes nineteen Pueblos, three Apache tribes, and the Navajo Nation. Film characters associated with New Mexico include UFO enthusiasts, Zia worshippers, earth hippies, suntanned retiree artists, outdoorsy types, and cowboys.

New Mexico Film Equipment

Equipment. Standard camera, grip and lighting equipment available locally. More specialised equipment needs to be brought it.

Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.

Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.

For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.

New Mexico Studios & Post Production

Studios. New Mexico has a few studios to choose from.

New Mexico Film-Friendly Accommodation

Please contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Albuquerque, ‎Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Farmington and other areas of New Mexico. Hotels of note include:

Candlewood Suites Albuquerque Midtown
Los Poblanos Inn, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque

Final Notes

Safety. New Mexico is a very safe and reliable place for foreign productions to shoot. See here for up to date travel advice.

Down Time. New Mexico has many relaxing hot springs particularly around Santa Fe and Truth or Consequences. Santa Fe is also a world-class city for dining. Bring home some red and green chile salsa.

Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in New Mexico, please see below:

Hire New Mexico Production Support & Shooting Crew

If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in New Mexico, please contact us.

If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in New Mexico, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.

We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.