Behind the Camera with Alicia

There’s a lot going on in the world right now and amid all of the uncertainty, change, and eventual growth, we’re spending a little time reflecting on our team’s past, present, and future. Our head gal in charge Alicia sat down for a little behind the scenes Q&A and we talked everything Alicia Lucia Photography; from her sweet little beginnings as a photographer to cultivating her business and her team, to why she has major heart eyes for New Mexico, and the future of ALP including just a few of the international (!!!) places she’d love to capture weddings and elopements in once the world reaches a sense of calm again. She also shouted her favorite couples, weddings, and styled shoots from the last few years, and trust us when we say that they are absolutely iconic days for our team!

Alicia + New Mexico, a Match Made in Southwest Heaven

All of my childhood & adulthood, from as early as I can remember, has been spent in our beautiful southwest state. We moved from Texas to New Mexico for a job opportunity that my dad had and have called New Mexico home for the last 20+ years! I love it so much and don't see myself living anywhere else. It has become a huge source of inspiration for my work! Both personally and professionally, I love that New Mexico is our home base for a multitude of reasons, but most importantly i love how we have a variety of drastic environments. I can be shooting a gorgeous desert bridal session in the middle of the white ridge mesa and in 45 minutes can get to our wooded forest for a hike with my family. It's vast and beautiful, it's where I met my husband, where we got married, had both of our children, it's home to both of our businesses and I wouldn't change any of it for the world! Outside of work, we love spending most of our time outside, whether it's going or bike rides, hiking, fishing, (day) camping lol, or working on our ever growing garden!! 

Alicia’s Photography Roots

I got into photography way back when we still were developing prints in a lab! I was around 13 years old when a family friend gifted me my first film camera & was totally that friend in highschool snapping away. In college, I pursued a different route, but deep down I always had a love for documenting people, places and love through photography. In 2012 I got the opportunity of assisting on a few weddings and in the fall of 2012 I shot my very first elopement solo! It was such a special experience and one that I will always treasure and be forever grateful for. I remember it like yesterday, I was a ball of nerves, but so happy and ecstatic to be given the chance.

Alicia Lucia Photography’s Beginnings + Growth

I started the company in 2013 and by 2015 we had already shot over 25+ weddings/elopements and brought on Ashley to shoot full time as co-lead! 

By 2017 we were growing at the speed of light. It was a bummer to not be able to take on as much work because I was either busy shooting or growing our social media. That winter, I decided to outsource all social media and blogging and brought on Jaclyn our amazing social media and blogger maven. Soon after, I went full time on booking out weddings to Ashley, Bre, and me! It's been amazing so far and are able to be a part of documenting that many more love stories!! 

On the Horizon for ALP

The future is such a loaded idea and one that I never do super great with. The uncertainty of the future, especially now with COVID-19 terrifys me, but I know our little team will make it through and I honestly seeing us traveling the world at some point! I would love for us to go beyond our home state and the Southwest region, and shoot across the country and world at some point! My top international destinations are Morocco (and other regions of Africa) and Iceland!

Fave Wedding Moments

Truly love it all. Every last part of it. Even when the nerves and anticipation from the slight chaos and tight schedules sets in, it's part of the thrill! I'd say the most memorable part of the day for me is getting to document the emotion of pure joy and elation at the realization of being just married after the couples come down the aisle! Their look and embrace to each other is always so sincere and sweet! That and the parent dances always, ALWAYS gets me. 

The Best New Wedding Ideas + Trends

I'm loving that couples are doing their own thing, wholeheartedly! That they aren't going the traditional route, just for the sake of tradition and instead are opting for details or parts of the day that are true to them. We are seeing less of the bouquet and garter throwing, smaller or no bridal parties at all and brides who have multiple looks because who says you should only wear one dress or look? Couples who are writing their own vows or having friends and family members officiate. Couples who are opting for less of the structured photo time and instead just want candids and being intentional with guests, friends, and family! I really love the direction we're headed to, more intentional, wholesome and meaningful! 

A Little Note to All the Lovers Out There

There is no right or wrong way to host your wedding, do what feels right and true to you. Try to not get caught up or stressed on the fine details and instead remember the real reason why you are celebrating! Also consider a day of coordinator. (hint: Lauren with Just Lovely Weddings + Darling Details Rentals is truly the best of the best!!)

Alicia’s Fave Days

So many favorites instantly come to mind but here are some: 
- Zach + Coli (Hotel Albuquerque + Casas de Suenos, 2019)
- Chris + Ari (Los Poblanos, 2019)
- Drew + Lauren (La Mesita Ranch, 2019)
- Scott + Leanne (SITE Santa Fe, 2018)
- Dave + Lauren (La Fonda on the Plaza, 2018)
- Rocky Mountain Bride x Los Poblanos Editorial (2018)
- Derek + Brigitte (La Fonda on the Plaza, 2018)
- Romantic Rockstar Styled Elopement (Los Poblanos, 2018)
- Tyler + Cassie (La Posada de Santa Fe, 2018)
- Shaun + Jessie (Sarabande Bed and Breakfast, 2018)
- Boot + Mallory (Eagle Nest Elopement, 2017)

Weddings + Styled Shoots by Alicia, Ashley, Bre, and the ALP Team
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

2019 Wedding Day Behind the Scenes

Between the crazy, amazing, and beautiful wedding day moments, our team loves snagging photos of each other on the job in some of the prettiest Southwest locations with the world’s sweetest couples!

Our team does it all— from capturing every single little moment on camera, to carrying bouquets & wedding gown trains, to being the world’s most perfect test models (more or less >.<)! We love not only getting to be a part of weddings but getting to see members of our girl squad absolutely crush it for our couples.

Cheers to more of the focused and brilliant, yet silly and down-to-earth moments that we just know the 2020 wedding season will have to offer!!!

Wedding Venues
La Mesita Ranch Estate (Santa Fe, NM)
Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm (Albuquerque, NM)
La Fonda on the Plaza (Santa Fe, NM)
Sarabande Bed and Breakfast (Albuquerque, NM)
Hacienda Doña Andrea (Madrid, NM)
Four Seasons Santa Fe (Santa Fe, NM)
Hotel Albuquerque (Albuquerque, NM)
Las Campanas (Santa Fe, NM)
Hyatt Tamaya (Bernalillo, NM)
Sandia Event Center (Albuquerque, NM)
Old Town Farm (Albuquerque, NM)
Casa Perea Art Space (Corrales, NM)
Enchanted Vine Barn (Ruidoso, NM)

Lead Photographers - Alicia, Ashley, Bre
Second Photographers - Bre, Cameron, Molly, Melanie, Brianna, Sarah, Kama
Assistants - Cameron, Taylor, Jaclyn

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Meet the Alicia Lucia Photo Squad

At the end of another amazing wedding season and on the cusp of a brand new year (and decade!), our little team has grown so much! We’ve brought on even more boss babes to make wedding days that much more dreamy, perfect, and (as always) fun. We can’t wait for what adventures lie on the horizon for our squad, bring in the (new) roaring 20s, we’re beyond ready for the next chapter of ALP!

Meet Alicia
Owner + Lead Photographer
Alicia is our fearless leader and the whole reason the ALP squad even exists. Besides being insanely talented and creative, she’s is also one of the most kind-hearted, compassionate gals you’ll ever meet.

Alicia began capturing weddings/couples in the fall of 2012 and since then, her work has been featured in national print and online publications including Rocky Mountain Bride, The Knot, Junebug Weddings, Wedding Wire, Carats and Cake, Martha Stewart Weddings, BRIDES, Green Wedding Shoes, and countless others.

Besides being a boss babe, Alicia lives the ultimate cozy life with her husband, Adam, and their two children. She loves gardening, hitting the gym, snuggling with her cute little family, and exploring the ever gorgeous Southwest.

Meet Ashley
Lead Associate Photographer
As our OG associate photographer, Ashley first started shooting weddings for ALP in 2013. Using her extensive knowledge of the wedding industry and her carefree, California-inspired style, Ashley not only knows how to make our couples look downright stunning, but she adds her own whimsical style to each and every wedding day. Ashley’s work has also been featured in Rocky Mountain Bride, Carats and Cake, and on numerous wedding sites.

Even though she’s a west coast girl at heart, Ashley and her sweet family love calling the Southwest home. Her and her husband have four precious babes and two sweet pups, but that never stops this gal from capturing our destination weddings all over the country!!

Meet Bre
Associate Photographer + Second shooter
Our girl Bre may be new to lead shooting weddings, but with over 8 years of solid photography experience from second shooting weddings and running her own amazing newborn photography business, she’s beyond her years in talent. This gal not only brings beauty to her photography style, she brings her vibrant, spunky, fun-loving energy to every single wedding. We can always count on Bre to not only get “the shot”, but to break the ice with any couple, wedding party, guest, or vendor we meet. She’s been described as a “second maid of honor” due to her confidant wedding day approach.

When Bre’s not capturing lovers with us, she’s running her own businesses, playing soccer, or hanging out with her husband and sweet daughters. We can't wait to see what destination engagements and weddings Bre captures for ALP next #gobrego

Meet Molly
Second Photographer
One of the newer gals to our girl squad, Molly is far from a rookie when it comes to weddings. With her own up and coming photography business under her belt, Molly does it all: weddings, elopements, engagements, maternity, seniors, families, and hospital newborn sessions. We adore how she makes even the simplest portraits look like stunning pieces of art.

When she’s not running her own photog business or hanging with her adorable little family, Molly loves exploring new places and going on adventures in the Southwest and beyond! We’re so thrilled to have this multitalented babe working with us!

Meet Melanie
Second Photographer
Sweet, detail oriented, and down-to-earth, Melanie is one of our go-to babes for all the things wedding days. From capturing groomsmen to those in between bridal moments, Melanie always bring out the best wedding day touches!

Melanie also runs her own business out of A suburb of Albuquerque and specializes in newborns and families. She has been behind the camera since 2011! When she’s not shooting, Melanie loves hanging out with her kiddos and amazing husband!

Meet Cameron
Second Photographer
Even though she’s the newest to the photog game, our babe Cameron is taking the photog game by storm. She first started shooting in the summer of 2018 (!) and hasn’t looked back since. Her calm, intuitive nature makes the most soothing presence on wedding days and her work is beyond our daydreams!

An enneagram type 2 to the fullest, this gal is empathetic and caring with every detail of weddings and her home life too! When she’s not perfecting her craft, Cameron can be found with her adventurous sons & husband, working on her next interior design project, or searching for the perfect grilled cheese (😋).

Meet Jaclyn
Social Media Curator + Blog Manager
Jaclyn’s in her second season with the ALP team and can usually be found behind her laptop creating our next major blog feature, working on the perfect Instagram flow, or adding alllll the photos to our Pinterest (which just hit 1 million monthly viewers!!!!) She also doubles as a wedding day assistant which usually involves carrying bouquets, snapping BTS moments, or making sure that Ashley doens’t leave her step stool behind, or Alicia leave her water bottle at the wedding venue (😝).

Living the ultimate double life, Jaclyn is also a professional ballerina and the (self-proclaimed) world’s best cat mom. When she’s not blogging away, this gal can be found solo traveling, eating pad Thai, or taking cozy naps.

Photos by Brittney Mundy Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Valentine's Day Special - Our Fave First Kiss Moments

With V-Day right around the corner, our little team wanted to do something extra special in honor of the sweet season of love. Right now we’re crushing major on wedding first kisses, you know, those crazy, oh-so-sweet, I can’t believe we finally did it first moments of becoming newlyweds. Something about seeing couples loving on each other just moments after saying “I do” makes our hearts skip a beat. Here’s to those babes who express their love and adoration for each other in the boldest, most romantic ways!

Check out the rest of our blog to see these featured love stories and so much more!!!

Photos by Alicia + Ashley + Bre of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Fave Weddings - Jaclyn's Picks

Finishing off our team wedding picks is our Social Media Manager Jaclyn with some of her fave, most swooning worthy moments.

“Its honestly so difficult for me to pinpoint three or four weddings that I love more than all the others because for me its usually a few shots from weddings and engagements that draw me in. Alicia and I always joke about how much I love non-traditional shots so thats exactly what this blog post is full of. Some of the photos are so obviously unique that anyone can see why I adore them, but I’d have to say that each and every photo in this blog made me pause on first glance and they’re photos I continually go back to when curating for social media. Alicia, Ashley, and Bre are sooo beyond talented at capturing love and I’ve spent a whole lot of time curating all of the engagements and weddings that go up on the blog, so narrowing down my faves was insanely hard for me. For me, these photos grab at something beyond just love, they’re authentic and what I envision when I think of how to emulate true love in the real world. I love all of the blogs I’ve put out, but this is by far my favorite.”

Photos by Alicia, Ashley, and Bre of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

ALP: Meet Our 2019 Girl Squad

At the beginning of another beautiful year, all of us at Alicia Lucia Photography wanted to reintroduce ourselves and let you know just how incredibly excited we are for 2019! Even though our cutie team has changed a little bit in the past 12 months our goal is still (and always will be the same), to capture authentic, wildly romantic love right in the moment. We’re so honored to work with all of the incredible couples and their families who put their complete trust in us for their wedding days and we are beyond excited for all the amazing love stories we’ll be capturing in the new year. Each one of our little girl squad brings something unique and amazingly authentic to the table, making stellar wedding day moments more real than ever. Cheers to all of the crazy, gorgeous, sweep you-off-your-feet moments to come!

Alicia Padilla
Our sweet little founder and lead photographer Alicia is the mastermind behind our magical dream team. She’s been capturing organic, breathtaking moments of true love at weddings, engagements, and family sessions. Alicia also adores shooting styled sessions with some of our fave girl bosses her in the New Mexico wedding community. When she’s not behind the camera or at her computer dazzling us with her gorgeous editing, you can find her snuggling with her husband and two kids, being crafty with some of the most swoon worthy home projects, or adventuring out into our amazing Southwestern state!

Ashley Shaw
As Alicia’s right hand photog girl since 2013, Ashley knows how to capture love stories with a whimsical, carefree, and genuine air! She has an eye for detail and posing that absolutely stuns our couples with her awe-inspiring work. Ashley’s sweet smile and incredible work ethic make her such a gem to collaborate with on those long wedding days! Outside of weddings and engagements, Ashley spends her days busy raising four kiddos with her amazing college sweetheart!

Breanna Bloomquist
Alicia’s longtime friend and studiomate Bre officially joined our squad in 2018, proving that she not only can do incredible job as a second shooter, but knows how to step up as a total boss lady in the role of lead photographer on wedding days! With 8 years of photography experience, Bre not only knows how to capture the authentic moments we so adore, but she knows how to make wedding days incredibly fun! From endless laughs on long days to capturing details perfectly to keeping groomsmen in check (the hardest task of all tbh) this girl knows how to make long shooting days a breeze! When she’s not shooting with the ALP squad, Bre’s passion is capturing newborns and maternity sessions with her own photography company Blooming Images. Bre also loves hanging with her sweet hubby and two girls!

Jaclyn Younger
One of the latest additions to the ALP squad, Jaclyn joined our team in January 2018 as social media manager! In addition to running our Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest alongside Alicia, Jaclyn also creates and curates for our blog, everything from our wedding and engagement blogs to more editorial and trend driven blogs (from groom style features to our favorite wedding cakes). Last summer, this girl also started assisting on weddings with our team and is another fun little aspect of our wedding days and shoots. From capturing behind the scenes moments for ig to handling equipment to running errands around venues to (occasionally) valeting a car or two she’s a real life “Jac” of all trades. Jaclyn also dances professionally in the Albuquerque area. She is so excited to stay with ALP for 2019 and can’t wait for more magic!

A big thank you to our girl Brittney of Brittney Mundy Photography for these lovely photos!! I love them so much!

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

2018; A Recap of Our Year

Dear 2018 couples and friends,
This year was a breathtaking, wildly amazing year for the Alicia Lucia Photography Team. From spending extra time at some of our favorite venues, to getting the opportunity of exploring new locations with incredible couples. Besides the glorious details of every single wedding we shot, we couldn’t help but reflect on each and every couple we got to spend time with this year. We rounded up a stand-out shot from every last wedding, engagement, and styled shoot we captured this year. We so loved looking back on all of the genuine love and wonderful little love stories we got to be part of this year.

Cheers to all our our couples and vendors, thank you for choosing us to help you begin the next chapter — we love each and every one of you!!

Love,
The ALP Team

Photos by Alicia + Ashley + Bre + Jen of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Behind the Scenes with the Alicia Lucia Team

With shooting 30+ weddings, engagements, and editorials this year, 2018 took our little team to some of the prettiest places in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and the surrounding areas. Here’s a teeny look at the behind the scenes of our girl squad doing what we do best, celebrating and capturing love over and over again!!!

Photos by Alicia, Ashley, Bre, Jen of Alicia Lucia Photography as well as other local photographer friends
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography