Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
We all have those places that make us feel nostalgic and cozy. For me, one of those places will always be Albuquerque. It truthfully doesn't matter when or why we go visit, it's always a great place to be. After living in Albuquerque for so long, there were so many things I began to take for granted about living there and luckily have been able to learn to appreciate again since moving away permanently. Now that my parents aren't living there anymore, it's even more of a special memory to go back and reminisce.
One of the things, if not THE thing, Albuquerque is most famous for is their International Balloon Fiesta. Once a year, for two weeks, hot air balloonists and visitors come from around the world to witness the mass ascension of hundreds of hot air balloons into the New Mexico sky. I hadn't been able to be back in October for the Balloon Fiesta in over six years, so I was a long overdue for a trip to the Balloon Fiesta. Luckily, we were able to go and visit, see some amazing friends, eat some great food and have a little mini maternity session with one of my best friends and fellow photographer.
(maternity photos taken by DBK Photography)
I would apologize for the crazy photo bomb that's about to happen, but these balloons are just too amazing and beautiful not to share all of these photos. I swear, I sounded like a child at Christmas because I was so excited to see the balloons again. They are just too magical!
One of the best perks of having a best friend who's also a photographer is being able to do fun sessions like this. Yes, we had to wake up at 6 AM and we had to wait for the balloons to start rising as we fought the sun rising too, but it was 1000x worth it for these photos.
These photos will always mean so much to me, knowing how close they were taken to getting to meet Greyson and that they were taken in a place that is so special to us.
It wouldn't have been a true photo session without us all taking turns of the pretty balloons. I couldn't let Delia have all of the fun!
If you're ever able to visit Albuquerque during the first two weeks of October for the International Balloon Fiesta, I couldn't recommend it more. We didn't actually go into the balloon park, but you definitely should if it's your first time visiting. There is tons of food and entertainment and you get to walk right along side hot air balloons as they take flight!
A huge thanks to our sweet friend Delia for making this beautiful session happen! I can't wait to trade places one day and take your maternity photos, too ;). And to take Greyson back next year for some one year photos!
Have you ever been to a hot air balloon festival?
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Really awesome images you put on this article great work and I would like to appreciate you for showing the beauty of the great international balloon festival. Thanks for sharing these amazing pics with us.
In lovvvvvvvve!!! Delia did a fantastic job and I love everything about the photos! Yall are so precious!
This is sooo amazing!! I love all the photos! What special memories. 🙂 I went to a balloon festival last October in Statesville, NC. It was so fun! It's awesome that Albuquerque has a big two-week event! Thanks for sharing all about it!
How far is Albuquerque from the valley? Dustin and I want to go so badly next year; this looks SO cool!
It's about a 6-7 hour drive!! Y'all should definitely go. I hope you are settling into AZ well 🙂
Look at you!!! OMG! I love that belly!!!!!
These are truly great photos! Seeing these balloons and going to the festival is on my bucket list! Haven't been to a balloon festival yet, but hopefully one day. 😉
This was the best maternity session ever. I would love to get to the Balloon festival eventually, it really looks amazing.
Yay!! I had so much fun! Haha, you took more sneaky photos of me than I realized 😉 Oh, and the plan for Greyson's one year photos is already ON! I'm already excited. I'll just let you know whenever I'll be needing my trade 😉
I'll definitely take you up on that trade. These photos are AMAZING (just look at everyone else's comments!). I can't thank you enough for them! <3
Such a unique and fun photo shoot! And it will be even more awesome to take Greyson back next year!
I can't wait to be able to take him back:)
These are the coolest maternity photos ever!
I love it so much! Balloon festivals are just incredible!
I loved the photos from the festival y'all have in CO!
So beautiful! When a great maternity session!
That is so much fun! What a great photo shoot! Also, I must know, where is your cardigan from? I love it!
It's from Kohl's! I just got it a few weeks ago so you should still be able to find it:)
Thanks! I'll have to see if I can 🙂
Awww, this is so sweet! I love that you got to have such fun pictures taken at a place that means so much to you! They are awesome!
Thanks Christine:) I love knowing they were taken in such a special place, too!
Ahhh this post makes me happy! You are absolutely glowing. I would love to go to something like this balloon festival one day. I'll have to keep my eyes open for one near me. It was the perfect place to take some maternity pictures! I love the close up of your bump with the balloon in the background. And of course, the HUGE smiles on you and Steven's faces. Love it!
Thank you friend:) This would be a great place for engagement photos too!! We had a ton of fun!
these are so fun!
seriously - so unique!
What an amazing photoshoot! The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is on my bucket list! I'm hoping to get out there for it next year or the following. It looks incredible!
I hope you can make it there! It's so much fun!
OH my goodness you are right, those pictures were way to beautiful to not post all of them! That looked amazing, it's on my bucket list now!
Rebecca Lindenbach
You'd love going to the festival! There are a few across the country, though I'm pretty sure Albuquerque's is the largest! Thanks for the comment, so sorry for the delay in responding:)
This has to be the coolest maternity session I've ever seen!!! I wish there was a balloon festival near me! So awesome!
Thank you so much Nicole! I am so happy we had these photos taken just a few weeks before our little guy arrived:)