Welcome to the Tularosa Basin Gallery of Photography aka Photozozo
Experience the Largest & Best Photo Gallery in the State Featuring 40+ Photographers & 1,000 images of New Mexico.
The 2025 New Mexico Magazine Winning Photographs are NOW 25% OFF!
Here are the Winners of the 2025 Annual New Mexico Magazine Photography Contest
(We are currently in the process of replacing the winners with this year’s photos.
We will let you know when we have completed the process!)
Archival Prints of all images are available through the Gallery.
• $95 for an 8x10 photo matted to 11x14 in a protective plastic sleeve.
• $145 for an 8x10 matted and framed to 11x14.
• $165 for an 11x14 photo matted to 16x20 in a protective plastic sleeve.
• $265 for an 11x14 photo matted and framed to 16x20.
All Photos & Mats are archival quality.
Framed prints are in a gallery black metal frame ready for hanging.
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Telephone: 612.963.1499 Email: wgmalkerson@gmail.com
Tularosa Basin Gallery of Photography
401 12th Street, Box 850, Carrizozo NM 88301
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GRAND PRIZE: LAUREN BACA - "Where Enchantment Dwells." Near Nara Visa, I watched the heavens open like a revelation. A sculpted super-cell rose from the horizon gilded by the fading fire of sunset, and I felt the familiar pull humming in my ribs. My husband and I chased it, our pulses matching the thunder ahead. We reached this abandoned home as the storm found its full voice. Light and shadow turned it into a living cathedral. The air was alive with memory and tremulous energy. Storm chasing teaches me this truth: The sky never forgets the souls who seek where enchantment dwells.
PEOPLE 1ST PLACE: JIM SHEPKA - "Rodeo Wrangler." I captured this Americana themed image as the wranglers entered the arena at the Annual 4th of July "Freedom Rodeo", that was held at the Tamaya Horse Rescue facility. I wanted to express additional movement, so I intentionally dragged the shutter - all while focusing on the flag while panning the camera. Using a 1/30" shutter speed, coupled with the sunrays to the right and Sandia Peak in the background, resulted in what you see here.
PEOPLE 2ND PLACE: STEPHANIE NIETO - "Sunset Symphony." In Old Town Albuquerque's plaza, Mariachi musician Michael Chavez serenades the people with his soulful violin and brilliant vocals. As the music fills the evening air, he gets lost in the rhythm of the music. Chile ristras frame his gazing eyes, bringing a Día de los Muertos celebration to life! I look forward to this event every November – it's a visual feast of colorful costumes, music, and lively entertainment!
PEOPLE 3RD PLACE: ROB LANG - "Day Off on a Ranch in New Mexico." Taking this photograph was very spontaneous. I was visiting a friend with a family ranch in Socorro, NM. It was in the high 90’s, and as we toured the ranch, the cowboy decided to “take a break” and cool off in the pasture watering trough. Cows gathered, and I got out my camera to record the moment.
PEOPLE HONORABLE MENTION: EVALYN BEMIS - "Young Dancer." Powwows such as the Gathering of Nations are a special time for native peoples to be together and display their heritage through regalia and traditional dance skills. The dancers are very generous at allowing photographers to attend the dances and bear witness to the sacred. Drum groups from around the United States provide the music. People catch up with friends and relatives, and everyone from grandparents to babies participates. This young boy attracted my eye with his ferocious energy and vivid colors.
PEOPLE HONORABLE MENTION: CHANEL FLORES - "Dust & Dreams." I titled this photo “Dust & Dreams” because, while I focused on keeping her outfit clean for the perfect shot, Lanelle was simply being ten —drawn to the beauty of the land, the caves, and the cliff dwellings of Bandelier. Watching her wander, unbothered by dust or dirt on her or her clothes, I wished I could be so carefree. I thought of when I was her age & parents took care of the worries, wiping the dust from my face & knees. In her curiosity, I saw the beauty of childhood—where every speck of dust is part of an adventure, and every step is fueled by dreams.
WILDLIFE 1ST PLACE: GRAYSON KEMP "Rush of the Rut." When I took this photograph in the Valles Caldera National Preserve, what struck me wasn’t the movement—it was how the movement told a story. The herd rushed back toward the bull in a surge of hooves and noise, but he didn’t move. He stayed fixed on where they’d come from, almost withdrawn, gathering himself before stepping back into a season that can mean life or death. To me, this moment is chaos vs composure—the mental toughness it takes to hold steady in the middle of urgency and disorder. As a nurse, that’s a daily task, and it's why I feel personally connected to this story.
WILDLIFE 2ND PLACE: NANCY RICE - "In the Rain." This image was taken in late June 2025, in the canyon country of western Harding County. This little mule deer buck hung out nearby for a while, calmly browsing the vegetation. The rain was falling steadily, creating a nice atmosphere, and as a bit of sunlight broke through the clouds, it caused the damp deer and vegetation to shine. The rain, sunlight, and buck really came together perfectly – a constellation of conditions and subject that can only be hoped for. I kept firing away at his different poses, but this image, with the misty canyons featuring prominently in the background, was my favorite.
WILDLIFE 3RD PLACE: TIMOTHY BACA - "Splash Dance." After countless weekends of chasing light and motion across New Mexico wetlands, this moment finally unfolded - a Sandhill Crane caught mid-stride, wings outstretched, water splashing beneath its lifted foot. The red crown glows against soft gray feathers. It’s a portrait of grace, grit, and the quiet reward of returning again and again until nature offers something unforgettable.
WILDLIFE HONORABLE MENTION: MARK KRASBERG - "Elk Ménage à Trois" We were driving up north in December, 2024, when we came across several battling bull elk. Three of them locked horns, and they gradually spun around several times quite close to us. I took many photos but only one which contained all of their faces and eyeballs (and no butts!). At one point, we became concerned that a battling pair might hit our car, and my girlfriend closed her window for safety (LOL!), but we had to keep watching! The three-way melee was truly special.
WILDLIFE HONORABLE MENTION: KELLY DUNBAR - "Peekaboo." We are so fortunate to live in New Mexico, where we have diversity in our land, people, wildlife, and feathered friends. In the winter, Tingley Beach becomes a wonderful haven for waterfowl, raptors, wading birds, and other small birds. Neotropic Cormorants are great masters of fishing, spending much of their time in and under the water. This Neotropic Cormorant wasn't at all concerned as I sat down on a log right next to him. He spread his wings to dry, attempting to catch as much sun as possible. Once dry, he began the meticulous process of preening his feathers.
LANDSCAPE 1ST PLACE: TIMOTHY BACA - "Into the Light." This photo captures a high-energy burst across the Eastern New Mexico plains, where a group of horses charged forward, manes whipping, and hooves stirring dust into the fading light. Overhead, the sky churns with dramatic layers of storm clouds, their dark textures streaked with fire as the sun smolders low on the horizon, painting the scene in blazing oranges and deep twilight blues.
LANDSCAPE 2ND PLACE: ROB LANG - "Autumn, Abiquiu Lake." It was the beginning of Fall in Abiquiu. The sun was still a little high, but clouds started coming in. The feeling of Abiquiu is captured in the light, movement and colors. I move with the landscape to create the painterly effect. Colors are natural. The time of day, seasons, and history of Abiquiu came into play when I was photographing this landscape.
LANDSCAPE 3RD PLACE: UWE SCHROETER - "Bosque Grass at Chupadera." The Chupadera Mountains, a small wilderness area in central New Mexico, provide a splendid backdrop for images created at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
LANDSCAPE HONORABLE MENTION: IGAL BRENER - "Winter Simplicity." I am consistently drawn to the sight of trees thriving in New Mexico's rocky desert landscapes. This photograph was captured during a hike in a red rock area of western New Mexico, coinciding with an unexpected snowstorm. The conditions were exceptional: snow was actively falling, coating the leaves of the trees and creating a vivid contrast with the exposed earth. To compose the image, I focused on the interplay between the strong shape of the tree and the highly textural and detailed surface of the background rocks, which further enhanced the visual impact through the powerful juxtaposition of four dominant colors: the brown-red rocks, the green foliage, and the white of the new snow.
LANDSCAPE HONORABLE MENTION: DAVID TURNING - "Above the Fog." A winter arctic blast was forecast, so I headed up to the Sacramento Mountains hoping for some cool atmospheric conditions or maybe a snowstorm to photograph. I ended up in an area where a forest fire had burned back in 2000. As the fog from the winter storm rolled in, my view of the hills and standing dead trees across the way was constantly changing. I took image after image of the ever-changing scene. This turned out to be one of my favorites from that evening.
MOBILE 1ST PLACE: SAMUEL ESCUE - "White Castle." This snowbound trip was to Francis Canyon Ruin, where solitude and effort rewarded me with an unforgettable shot on my birthday.
MOBILE 2ND PLACE: PETER BEACH - "Alameda Sunrise." My goal was to capture a Rio Grande sunrise with the Sandias in the background—beyond that, the concept was fluid. To accomplish this, I needed to find the ideal location along the river and be there well before sunrise. During the course of several bicycle rides, I scouted the trails and found a heavenly private spot of full-on Zen. The only sights and sounds were hummingbirds darting about through the tall underbrush surrounding me, splashing mallards and bathing geese in the foreground, with the northern end of the Sandias in the background. Suffice to say, the Universe spectacularly rewarded, delivering purest magic on that pristine July morning.
MOBILE 3RD PLACE: KAYLA LIECHTY - "Secrets of a Sunflower." Portales is my home, and our small community lives up to its moniker, Warm Heart of the Sunbelt. Sunflowers and Valencia peanuts grow easily and abundantly here. I took this photo in July as the sunflowers that I’d planted from seed were preparing to be in full bloom. It fascinated me how the petals gradually unfolded each day, displaying many “faces” in each stage of growth. The face I saw on this day was either covering its mouth at a closely held secret, expressing surprise, or giggling with amusement. No matter the motivation, the face spoke to me and asked to be photographed.
MOBILE HONORABLE MENTION: VIC WIENER - "Through the Looking Glass." I took this photo on the peak of Talaya Hill in Santa Fe. I hiked up to Talaya Hill to watch the sunset four or five times a week throughout the late summer and fall of 2024 as I contemplated a career change and began contending with a life-changing illness. While I took this photo for the fun of the challenge, I was struck by the way this photo captured so many transitions—between summer and fall, between day and night and, for me, between the life I thought I would have and the life I now have.
MOBILE HONORABLE MENTION: LINDSAY DAMRON - "Rooted in Stone." In this photograph, a lone tree rises from ancient boulders like a guardian rooted between earth and sky, its branches seeming to dance among the clouds. Inspired by Ansel Adams, I sought not just to capture a scene, but to reveal a spirit. This image reflects the quiet magic of the desert, honoring the resilience and grace found in nature. It is my tribute to endurance, wonder, and the wild poetry that lives in the places we love. I cherish creating in black and white—the muted stories, the quiet truths, and the way shadows speak.
NEW MEXICO EXPERIENCE 1ST PLACE: ANGEL LOPEZ - "La Virgen." I contacted the Isotopes in order to attend one of their biggest annual evenings, and they happily accommodated my request. I met and talked with numerous lowrider aficionados as we hid from the record heat that day. I saw this air freshener dangling in the light and instantly framed the shot. Its scent permeated from the open windows - Passionfruit. Normally, when you see La Virgen, the vibrant colors catch your eye. However, this relic was monochromatic and easy to edit as such. tripping away distractions, the image instantly became cultural nostalgia of lowrider identity in New Mexico.
NEW MEXICO EXPERIENCE 2ND PLACE: MATTHEW POLLARD - "The Guard Dog." I found this beautiful brown Chihuahua standing in front of one of the fancy lowriders at the Borderland Car show in Las Cruces. When I met the dog and her family, I was informed that she is 10 years old and was a rescue dog originally from Georgia. She has lived in NM for 6 years and is trained as a cardiac alert dog.
NEW MEXICO EXPERIENCE 3RD PLACE: CHANEL FLORES - "Warmth and Innocence." Lanelle, my little muse, brings tenderness to every frame. Between shots, she kept reaching for the water, and I teased her that we still had work to do. Then, with her playful confidence, she said, "Don't worry I got a blanket!,” and moments later she was already wrapped in it—glowing with pure childhood joy. I snapped fast and caught a moment I never could’ve planned, born entirely on her whim. She keeps me on my toes, reminding me that life doesn’t need a script; the best things appear when we let go and let innocence lead.
NEW MEXICO EXPERIENCE HONORABLE MENTION: LUIS SAENZ - "When Dreams Take Flight." In the midst of the crowd, a young boy caught my eye—kneeling with his arm outstretched toward the flames as if conjuring the fire himself. In that brief moment, imagination and reality merged. It reminded me that wonder never truly leaves us - when the world still feels magical, and your dreams can light up the night.
NEW MEXICO EXPERIENCE HONORABLE MENTION: JEAN TEMPLETON - "The Hat." Once the gate flies open, and the bull and rider come charging out, it’s hard to know what to focus on as it's all happening so fast! Until I started looking through my photos, I didn’t realize that I’d captured the aftermath of the brave rider being thrown, and one of the rodeo clown's hats flying off, as they courageously faced the enraged bull; with the clown trying to calm him down, while helping the thrown rider get to safety. When I saw this photo, I realized just how dangerous a rodeo clown’s job really is! So, I dedicate this photo to rodeo clowns everywhere.
NIGHTSCAPES 1ST PLACE: COSETTA LEWIS - "Millions of Miles Apart." Dragon Ridge, Comet Tsuchinshan, and the Milky Way aligned to paint Deming’s dark skies with magic — a once-in-a-lifetime show! Each night while the comet graced the heavens around the Deming area, I chased the stars from a new horizon, composing fresh perspectives beneath the vast silence. From City of Rocks, Dragon Ridge in the Florida Mountains, to my own backyard, this image became one of my favorites — a moment of stillness, just breathing in the quiet brilliance of the universe.
NIGHTSCAPES 2ND PLACE: AARON LEWIS - "Eruption." I captured this image of the aurora borealis at Valles Caldera last year following a strong solar flare event. I have photographed the aurora in New Mexico multiple times in the past, but due to its unpredictability and sometimes short-lived nature, this was the first time that I was able to capture it at one of my favorite locations. To me, the aurora above the Caldera is reminiscent of a volcanic eruption.
NIGHTSCAPES 3RD PLACE: DAVID TURNING - "Twisted." This image was taken near Abiquiu where I met up with friends one evening in order to shoot some astro-photography. After searching around the area for a composition, I found this twisted tree, and it lined up nicely with the milky way. Getting the image proved to be a little trickier since the tree is growing right on the edge of a cliff where there is minimal room for a tripod, camera, and me. Despite all of that, I succeeded in getting the shot.
NIGHTSCAPES HONORABLE MENTION: GRAYSON KEMP - "Bedtime Stories." When I saw the final version of this photograph, what struck me were the complementary themes between time, space, and the stories engraved in stone. As the stars traced circles to mark the passage of time through the night, the figures on the stones stayed perfectly still—forever suspended in their own eternal standoff. It felt like watching two timelines meet: one written in light, one engraved in stone. For me, this image is about how time may pass, yet the stories we tell are timeless—and how they have the power to inspire for centuries.
NIGHTSCAPES HONORABLE MENTION: LAUREN BACA - "Lady Aurora's Liturgy," On a night when the heavens broke their silence, I followed a whisper of hope. The sky was calm, almost disbelieving, yet my anticipation burned as bright as the red pillars I longed to see. The old church stood solemn etched with dust and prayer. It has witnessed drought and storm—but never this. Then the universe seemed to breathe, and she appeared. Lady Aurora, rare pilgrim from the far north, spilling crimson and jade through broken windows and turning ruin into sanctuary. For a few breathless moments, Taiban remembered how to worship.
ROUTE 66 1ST PLACE: REECE PARKER - "Neon Lights." Located in Tucumcari, The Blue Swallow Motel has an amazing array of brightly colored neon lights. On one of my trips to photograph the beautiful display, I was paying attention to the small details that are to be found. In this shot, I was drawn to the reflection of the iconic Blue Swallow Motel sign as seen in the chrome of a classic 1950’s Hudson Hornet.
ROUTE 66 2ND PLACE: CRISTIAN CONSTANTINESCU - "Tucumcari Memories." Originally from Romania, I was fortunate to move to the USA about three decades ago. Now I live in Fort Collins, CO, and have fallen in love with the neighboring Land of Enchantment. I took this picture in Tucumcari, NM, on a journey along the Mother Road. This trip was part of a long-term project aimed at discovering the beauty and traditions of my adoptive country.
ROUTE 66 3RD PLACE: STEVEN YABEK - "Pueblo Rainsong." The Laguna Pueblo was formally established in 1699, following the Pueblo Revolt. The original 1926 Route 66 alignment through Laguna, New Mexico, currently designated as New Mexico Highway 124 and Old Route 66, runs just several hundred feet north of the original village. This image of the old village was shot handheld on a dreary and rainy summer day in 2025 from the shoulder of the I-40 westbound lanes through Laguna.
ROUTE 66 HONORABLE MENTION: ERIN BRUBAKER - "Stop for the Night." I took this photo in 2021 while driving cross-country from Pennsylvania to my new home in New Mexico. With my car packed with everything I owned, Tucumcari was my final stop on Route 66 before reaching Albuquerque. I knew little about the town beyond its “ghost town” reputation. After checking into the Hotel Safari, I went for a walk and was drawn to the vintage architecture and glowing lights of the Palomino Hotel. I snapped a photo with my iPhone, sensing a moment frozen in time. Later, converting it to black and white transformed the neon into something more moody and timeless.
