Photographing Día de los Muertos Festivities

Join Michael Amici, photojournalist and world-traveling photographer, as well as a long-time resident of San Miguel de Allende, for a curated, behind-the-scenes, insider’s perspective on the rich cultural ceremonies during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Michael and a group limited to ten photographers are immersed in all aspects of the local celebrations in San Miguel de Allende: Halloween, Día de los Niños, and All Souls Day. 

Over the course of three days, Michael and the group witness remembrances and joyful commemoration as families and friends gather to honor the return of souls of the departed. We watch as wild marigolds are scattered, candles are poured, and sugar skulls are created for display in homes and public spaces to be part of the richly decorated, ornate ofrendas (altars). Costumed children and revelers with painted faces join in parades, and a spirit of remembrance takes over the city.

As photographers chronicling these sacred events, we seek always to connect, moving slowly and honoring the traditions of the region. We respectfully traverse the city as families gather to honor those departed. There are visits to local friends of Michaels who provide context and help to illuminate the cultural significance of the various celebrations and customs. We join Michael one evening to assist with his Pre-Post Mortem project which draws hundreds of people—portrait sessions in the central plaza that include a coffin and strobe set-up. This popular, personal project is now in its 14th year. During Día de los Muertos, the city is alive with color and music, marigold petals, family altars, face painting, and parades featuring mojigangas (puppets made of papier-mache and fabric often reaching 10 to 15 feet high) and catrinas/catrines (iconic, elegantly dressed skeletons).

After three solid days of photographing, we have a wealth of meaningful images documenting the people, places, colors, and customs of this traditional Mexican celebration. Since this 3-day program does not include classroom time with image reviews, Michael plans to meet with the group on Zoom in early December to lead an image review of your photographs made during the festival; then a month later, in mid-January, we gather together again on Zoom for a reunion and to enjoy the final image presentation of the best images from our time together. These two online sessions bring closure to a memorable experience photographing Día de los Muertos festivities in lovely San Miguel de Allende.