About John

John's photography expresses the emotion and beauty that he finds amidst routine life. He captures these moments by being attuned to the visual understanding of the transience of light and isolation of the subject in that light. Walking through the landscapes of our fascinating planet, it's his hope to share the aesthetic value of organic moments from everyday life.

After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University, John joined the U.S. Naval Reserves and was given a duty assignment for "Operation Sail". His duty was to photograph the "tall ships" as they pulled into New York Harbor during the U.S. Bicentennial, July 4, 1976. His career has spanned both coasts. In New York, he worked as a fashion and catalog photographer, photographing models from the top modeling agencies. After a few years in New York, John returned to southern California where he was a photographer for ABC TV and the Pat Boone Television Show.

In 1993, while enroute to Carlsbad, NM to visit a friend, John Soden and his wife, Sue Harkness Soden, visited the Mescalero Apache Reservation. While there, they observed a private ceremony of The Mountain Spirit Dancers and John was so moved by this experience, he requested and received written permission from the late Wendell Chino, Mescalero Apache Tribal President to photograph on the Reservation. While in New Mexico, John and Sue fell in love with the area and three years later moved to Ruidoso where they currently reside. John continues to do portrait and event photography.

John T. Soden is available throughout southern New Mexico for commercial photography, reunions and other event photography. Book early for your senior portrait, studio sitting or location photography for any occasion. Please contact us with any questions you may have.