Photo By: Brett Kane @brettmkane | Farragut National Park, ID

The Journey

What a journey it has been. Moving has been hard but also incredibly refreshing. Living in Idaho for 11 years and returning to New Mexico has been an emotional (and physical) rollercoaster. My move was heavily motivated by new opportunities, growth, and most importantly, my family. We had been talking about moving back home to the 505 since 2020.

Photo By: Deann Vandergriff (aka mom)

Moab, UT

From Mountains to Deserts

As a freelance photographer, the shift in landscapes alone has been transformative. Idaho’s rugged mountains, forests, and rivers offered endless opportunities for capturing nature’s untouched beauty. But here in New Mexico, I’ve found a whole new world of inspiration. The wide-open deserts, adobe buildings, and dreamy sunsets creates a feeling entirely different from anything I’ve ever worked with before. There’s a certain nostalgia to the way light interacts with the desert—it's softer, more golden, and lends itself to creating images with a unique warmth and vibrancy. It feels like my childhood all over again — even with the goatheads stuck in my shoes and sand in my teeth.

Finding Inspiration in a New Environment

The contrast between the two places couldn’t be more dramatic. In Idaho, I was used to shooting in cooler tones, with snow-capped peaks and dense forests as my canvas. Here, in the Land of Enchantment, the color palette is full of reds, oranges, and browns, with sweeping landscapes that seem to stretch on forever. Transitioning from the crisp, cool mountain air to the dry, warm desert heat has challenged me in ways I didn’t expect.

Finding inspiration in New Mexico has been surprisingly easy. This state is rich with history and culture. Whether it’s the art scene in Santa Fe or the Native American traditions woven into everyday life, there’s no shortage of stories to tell through photography. I’ve felt inspired to add more of this cultural richness into my work, capturing not just the landscapes but the people, architecture, and traditions that make New Mexico so unique.

Photo By: Katherine Vandergriff @katsphilm

Rio Rancho, NM

Building a Freelance Business in a New State

Of course, moving as a freelance photographer also meant starting from scratch in terms of building a client base. In Idaho, I had spent years networking and establishing relationships with clients, but here I had to dive back into that process. Thankfully, the photography community in New Mexico has been welcoming. Social media has also been a vital tool for making connections and finding new clients and collaborators, allowing me to rebuild my business in a relatively short time.

What has been most rewarding, though, is how the change in environment has reignited my passion for adventure photography. In Idaho, I loved photographing the wilderness, but New Mexico offers a different kind of adventure. Places like White Sands National Park, the Bisti Badlands, and the endless desert roads have opened up a whole new realm of possibilities. With my new job working as a School Portrait Photographer, I’ve had the opportunity to travel and see all four corners of the state. I also work with some wonderful managers that have opened opportunities to meet people through weddings and more!

Photo By: Katherine Vandergriff @katsphilm
School Portrait Work Morning Views

Las Vegas, NM

Growth Through Change

One of the most profound aspects of this move has been the personal and professional growth I’ve experienced through change. Leaving Idaho, where I had spent over a decade, wasn’t easy. It was comfortable, familiar, and I had established roots there. But stepping into the unknown pushed me in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

Change has a way of stripping away comfort and forcing you to confront new challenges head-on.

I had reached a point where I knew I needed to embrace new opportunities, but I didn’t fully understand what that would mean for me until I was here, in the midst of it.

Creatively, the change in environment forced me to look at my photography with fresh eyes. In Idaho, I had my go-to spots and techniques down to a science. Here, everything felt new and different—the light, the landscapes, the textures, the colors. It’s taking time to adjust, and in the beginning, I felt out of my depth, like I was starting over. But that’s exactly what is helping me grow. I have to experiment more, step out of my comfort zone, and take risks in ways I haven’t before.

This growth has extended beyond my work behind the camera. Moving to a new place meant building connections from scratch, something that initially felt daunting. Starting over has taught me resilience and adaptability. I’ve had to be more proactive, putting myself out there, networking, and embracing new opportunities. In the process, I’ve met incredible people and discovered creative communities that have been inspiring and supportive.

Current Goals

Right now, I’m focused on getting back to feeling like myself again. To be completely transparent, the move came with its challenges—one of the biggest being a car with a broken transmission. Not exactly ideal for getting to shoots, right? So, one of my main goals is definitely getting a new car.

I’ve also spent a lot of time catching up with my sisters and family, going to baseball games, trips to Santa Fe with my boyfriend, and just soaking in my new life!

Photo By: Katherine Vandergriff @katsphilm

Isotopes Ballpark Albuquerque, NM

Photo By: Katherine Vandergriff @katsphilm

Meow Wolf Santa Fe, NM

Photo By: Katherine Vandergriff @katsphilm
Sandia National Labs Family Day

Albuquerque, NM

On the creative side, I’m looking to network and build on what I’ve already established. Back in Idaho, I worked on several projects: CoeursCollective, Philm Magazine, and the Philm Community group. I’m always striving to improve my workflow and uplift both myself and others in the photography community. Networking with fellow artists is the best way to refine your craft and keep your audience engaged and excited. Blogs, magazines, events, classes, and so much more are on my to-do list.

Ultimately, I would love nothing more than to both create new and refine old ways of working with what I love most: people.

What’s Coming?

In the end (or rather beginning), this move from Idaho to New Mexico has been so much more than just a change of scenery—it’s been a journey of growth, discovery, and renewal. Stepping into the unfamiliar has reignited my creativity and challenged me in ways I never expected, both as a freelance photographer and as a person. The vibrant landscapes, the rich culture, and the sense of adventure have opened my eyes to new possibilities, while reconnecting with family has grounded me in what truly matters; candid life itself.

Embracing change isn’t always easy, but it’s in those moments of discomfort that we find the most room to grow. Moving to New Mexico has shown me that there’s always something new to explore, new stories to tell, and new opportunities waiting if we’re willing to take the leap. I’m excited for what lies ahead, knowing that every new challenge will bring its own rewards, both through the lens and in life.