New Mexico Coverage

The Gila Wilderness, New Mexico

As a photographer, I’ve come to enjoy seeing my work published in magazines. It’s a total rush to see the photographs in full CMYK glory. Imagine my surprise when the art director of New Mexico magazine told me that someone else’s photo would be used on the cover of the March 2011 issue, despite the fact that I had written and photographed the cover feature about a horse-packing trip through the Gila Wilderness. I was really hoping I’d land the coveted front page.

Then she delivered yet another blow: “The photo of you hugging Cowboy was chosen for the cover.”

PAUSE.

“Me?”

“It was more engaging than the other options,” she added.

I wasn’t quite sure how to feel. I was kinda hoping that one of my own photographs would be worthy of the cover. On the other hand, I was going to be a cover girl! I definitely didn’t see that one coming.

When I took the assignment, I was told to make sure to get a few photos of myself during the trip. On the last day of the horseback adventure, I handed the camera to my friend’s 18-year-old daughter, Nora, and asked her to snap a few photos of me with the trusty steed that had carried me through the wilderness. I embraced “Cowboy” and Nora snapped the photograph.

Now, six months later, the issue has hit newsstands nationwide, even the local Borders in Cleveland. If I were NM magazine, I’d be keeping an eye on reports from the Audit Bureau of Circulations. If my family has anything to say about it, the March 2011 issue may become the best-selling magazine of 2011 — or maybe of all time. Lady Gaga should watch her back.