Día de MuertosPortraits in Oaxaca

October 21 – November 2 · only 5 sessions

Día de Muertos is one of my favorite times of year in Oaxaca. The marigolds are out, the altars go up, and lots of people paint their faces as catrinas. This season I'm offering five one-hour portrait sessions, between October 21 and November 2.

A catrina in a magenta velvet dress and a crown of roses among cactus at Vives Verde, Oaxaca

Close portrait of a catrina with skull face paint and a crown of red roses

Four places to shoot

Vives Verde. A garden full of cactus and palms. The green makes the colors of your dress and flowers stand out.

The streets of Oaxaca. Old walls and doorways in the Centro. At dusk, the streets are full of people in costume.

A catrina with purple eye paint framed by her raised arm and a crown of flowers

A catrina in a crown of roses looking down, her hands crossed in skeleton lace gloves

The marigold fields. Cempasúchil in full bloom, just outside the city. They only look like this for a few weeks a year, and the flowers are usually harvested before October 31 for the altars. If you want the fields, book several days before then, just to be sure.

A catrina and catrín walking arm in arm through a field of cempasúchil and cockscomb

A catrín and catrina at night on a path of candles through cempasúchil and cockscomb

The panteón at night. The Panteón Viejo in Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, on the nights of October 31 and November 1, when it's full of candles and marigolds. We take portraits along the paths and against the old walls. No photos at specific graves, and none of families at their graves.

A catrín in a hat against a blank wall, his shadow cast large beside him

A catrín in shadow in the foreground and a catrina lit against a plain wall behind him

A catrina in a long magenta dress standing on a stone path among tall cactus and palms at Vives Verde

A catrina in skeleton gloves against a rust wall set with carved stone faces

Día de Muertos Portrait Session

$250 – $325 usd

Only 5 sessions, October 21 to November 2.

1 hour
Before 4 pm: $250 · After 4 pm: $325
One location: Vives Verde, the streets of Oaxaca, the marigold fields, or the panteón at night (subject to availability)
70 edited high-resolution photos, for printing and social media
A 40-second highlight video, made by me
A preview in 48 hours and the full gallery in two weeks
Just you, a couple, friends, or the whole family

Reserve one of 5 sessions

A cross made of marigolds on a terracotta wall

Would you rather be the one taking the pictures? Take my Day of the Dead photo walk, one or two hours of altars, murals, and cemeteries, in the Centro or in Xoxocotlán.

Questions

Do you do the makeup?: I'll recommend makeup artists I trust, so you arrive ready.
Who can book a session?: Anyone: just you, a couple, friends, or the whole family, kids included.
Is it respectful?: Yes. Dressing as a catrina is part of how Oaxaca celebrates. We photograph in gardens, fields, and public streets, and along the paths and walls of the panteón. No photos at specific graves, and none of families at their graves.
What time of day?: We'll pick it together. Late afternoon into dusk is the best light, especially in the streets, so sessions after 4 pm are $325. Before 4 pm they're $250, and we look for shade.
When should we book the marigold fields?: Several days before October 31. The cempasúchil is usually harvested before then for the altars, so the earlier the better.
When can we shoot at the panteón?: Only on the nights of October 31 and November 1, so those two nights fill up first.
What happens after I send the form?: I'll write back to confirm your date and the details. With only five sessions, dates go in the order people ask.

A catrina and catrín side by side at night beside a column of marigolds

Catrinas in wide black skirts and lit headdresses dancing in a Día de Muertos comparsa through the streets of Oaxaca at night

Reserve one of 5 sessions

October 21 to November 2. Tell me when and where, and I'll write back to confirm.