In 1993, while enroute to Carlsbad, NM to visit a friend, John Soden and his wife, Sue Harkness, 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, Tribal President to photograph on the Reservation. While in New Mexico, they both 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. His work is displayed in galleries and businesses all over New Mexico.