Brad Bealmear

Brad Bealmear Biography

Brad Bealmear's artistic journey began in the 1960s when, at just 12 years old in Portales, NM, he embraced photography, owning a Minolta SLR and setting up his own darkroom. He quickly turned his passion into a business by selling prints of the PJHS cheerleaders for $5 each.

In the 1970s, Brad honed his skills at the Brooks Institute of Photography, leading him on a path of exploration that took him across the country and beyond. He captured everything from cars and planes to architecture, gold mines, fashion, jewelry, and art, all from his studio in Santa Fe.

In the early 1980s, Brad relocated his family to New York City, where he lived for over 20 years creating compelling photographs for magazine advertisements, catalogs, and books for luxury clients like Tiffany & Co. Living in the West Village, just blocks away from the vibrant art scene in SoHo, he spent weekends immersed in contemporary exhibitions, developing a strong affinity for abstract art.

In 2006, Brad and his wife returned to Santa Fe, where he continued his photographic pursuits and founded High Desert Properties, a vacation rental firm. However, by 2014, he felt a compelling urge to pivot his career. He closed the real estate business, sold all his photo gear, and devoted himself entirely to painting. Witnessing the troubling trajectory of society and the environment, Brad found solace and meaning in the abstract, which resonated deeply with his evolving perspective.