A flat dune at sunset, White Sands National Monument, New Mexico. (Craig Varjabedian)

Located in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States. As the world’s largest gypsum dunefield, this snow-white landscape is known for its harsh environment and desolate, other-worldly appearance. It is also home to a . Photographer has spent almost 20 years photographing this unique place.

“The thing that really interested me about White Sands, compared to other places I have been, is that it is never the same,” Varjabedian told weather.com. “I can go to a specific spot, mark it with my GPS, and go back the very next day at the exact same time, and it will be a totally different experience because the dunes are constantly moving. This movement of the sands, the way that the wind and weather shapes the dunes, and the way the light falls on the sand, is always different.”

He added: “This place is really elusive, and I think I love that. I love that every moment out there taking photos is special, every moment is unique.”

(MORE: )

Varjabedian said he is trying to capture not only the beauty of White Sands National Monument, but also its every-changing appearance and character. “I try to photograph White Sands National Monument the way other photographers take portraits,” he said.

To do this, he travels regularly to the dunes, usually about every two weeks, and stays out on the dunes for several days at a time. He said that he usually photographs around dawn, in the late afternoon, and at dusk. “The best time for me to photograph is when I have some shadow on the land,” he explained. “When the sun is at 12-noon, [the light] is almost straight up and down, and the dunes are pretty much flat white. You need the shadows to see the contours of the dunes.”

However, he added, he will sometimes venture out earlier in the day depending on the weather - especially if there is a thunderstorm brewing, as they make for an interesting - and dramtic - photograph.

“Sometimes the weather foils me [though]” he said. “For example, for the last 30 days or so, we have had some really strong winds down at White Sands, making it almost impossible to go out and photograph because there is nothing to hide behind to shield the camera.”

(MORE: )

Varjabedian’s photographs of White Sands National Monument are being collected into a book titled “Into the Great White Sands,” which is scheduled to be published in the fall of 2017 by the University of New Mexico Press. In the meantime, you can . Varjabedian also at White Sands National Monument.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: