In 1899, at the age of twenty-five, Berninghaus made his first visit to Taos, New Mexico. Although his reputation as a skilled illustrator was already established in St. Louis, this trip to Taos was the beginning of his national reputation. He returned to Taos each year for longer and longer visits. In 1912, when the Taos Society of Artists was formed, he was one of the six charter members. In 1919, he bought an old adobe house on the Loma and by 1925, the family had established year-round residence in Taos.

In the mid-twenties, Berninghaus abruptly changed his style, resulting in richer pigmentation, more intricate composition and lending an abstract quality. His paintings reflect a true psychological insight into the life of the twentieth century Indian. He depicted the West in a simple, direct style supported by splendid draftsmanship.The Anheuser-Busch Company of St. Louis, for whom he did advertising art over a period of many years, commissioned him to do a series of historical paintings which they published in 1914. The originals are on display in that company's offices.