El Día de Muertos is a celebration that goes beyond its vibrant colours and rich traditions. This unique holiday offers photographers a rare opportunity to connect deeply with people, capturing the raw emotion behind every glance, and telling powerful stories through portraits.

The iconic catrinas, dressed in elaborate outfits with intricate makeup, are central to this celebration. Jaime Ávila, FUJIFILM X-Photographer, and Jorge Maldonado, SIGMA X-pert, both experts in portraiture, share their expert advice on how to photograph this cultural moment with respect, creativity, and technical skill. This article explores their insights, offering valuable tips for photographers eager to capture the spirit of this rich Mexican tradition. From choosing the perfect background to understanding the emotional depth of your subject, these professionals reveal how to approach this special event through a lens. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or someone looking to improve your skills, the advice shared here will help you create stunning, authentic portraits of the catrinas and the stories they represent. El Día de Muertos is a time to celebrate and reflect on life and death, and for photographers, it’s a chance to document this momentous occasion while respecting its meaning and cultural significance.

Essential Tips for Capturing the Catrinas

Jaime Ávila (@elcualquiera), known for his ability to find beauty in everyday life, shares three key tips to help photographers capture the true essence of the catrinas. His first piece of advice is to always consider the background and environment when shooting. “A great photo of a catrina depends just as much on what’s behind the subject as it does on the subject itself,” he says. “Before you click the shutter, take a moment to look at your surroundings. Remove distracting elements like signs or wires, or adjust your angle to ensure the focus stays on the subject. Using a lens with a large aperture will also help to blur the background, ensuring the makeup and expression remain the primary focus.” This approach ensures that the portrait maintains its authenticity and emotion, without external distractions that may disrupt the mood of the photograph. By paying attention to the details around your subject, you’ll enhance the atmosphere of the image and evoke a more powerful response from viewers. The right background can amplify the storytelling element of your image, making it not just a photograph, but an immersive experience.

Play with Different Framing and Angles

Ávila continues by encouraging photographers to experiment with different framing techniques. “Don’t limit yourself to one type of shot,” he advises. “Close-up portraits are perfect for capturing the intricate details of makeup and the intensity of the gaze. Mid-shots are great for showing off the costumes and body language. Full-frame shots, where you capture the entire look from head to toe, provide a complete story. This variety enriches your photo series and allows you to tell a more comprehensive visual story.” Ávila highlights that versatility in your approach will allow you to document not just the aesthetics of the catrinas, but also the depth of their emotional connection to the celebration. Whether you’re photographing the delicate designs of their face paint or the proud stance of their costume, the range of angles and shots you use will help tell a more nuanced story. In capturing both the big picture and the fine details, you invite your audience into a complete visual narrative of the celebration.

Collaboration Is Key to Capturing the Full Picture

Another key tip from Ávila is to think about the collaborative nature of Día de Muertos photo sessions. “These sessions are a team effort,” he says. “Behind every great catrina photo, there are makeup artists, costume designers, models, and photographers working together to make the vision come to life. Be sure to capture the contributions of everyone involved—take portraits of the makeup, the costumes, and the overall staging. And when sharing these images, always credit everyone who contributed.” This collaborative approach ensures that the entire team gets the recognition they deserve, and it fosters a supportive environment for future projects. Ávila’s advice speaks to the spirit of Día de Muertos itself—a celebration of community, remembrance, and mutual respect. Photographers who respect and acknowledge the effort of others involved will not only create better images but will also build stronger relationships within the creative community.

The Emotional Connection: Building Empathy in Portraits

Jorge Maldonado (@heymaldo), a renowned portrait, fashion, and lifestyle photographer, focuses on the emotional connection that makes a great portrait. “The power of a portrait is in the emotional connection you build with your subject,” he says. “Especially during Día de Muertos, it’s important to look beyond the makeup and costume. Seek the story behind each person. Look at their eyes, their gestures, how they interact with their altar, or reflect on their loved ones. The light, especially the golden tones of sunset, will give you warmth and contrast, bringing out the emotion in your subject.” Maldonado emphasises that the best portraits aren’t just about the outward appearance, but about the inner life of the person in front of the camera. During Día de Muertos, the atmosphere is rich with personal and collective memories, and it is this connection that photographers should aim to capture. The eyes, the subtle movements, and the quiet moments of reflection are what truly bring the catrinas to life in a portrait.

Integrating the Environment to Tell a Story

Maldonado also encourages photographers to incorporate the environment into their portraits. “Don’t just view the flowers or the altar as mere decoration,” he explains. “Integrate them into your portrait. Use the textures of the papel picado, the reflections of the candles, or the petals of the cempasúchil. The key is not just to make the photo look beautiful, but to tell a story. The goal is to capture the nostalgia and celebration that are intrinsic to this day. If your subject feels comfortable and connected to the moment, the portrait will truly have soul.” Maldonado’s approach highlights the importance of setting the scene and making it an integral part of the portrait. The Day of the Dead celebrations are rich in symbolism and tradition, and incorporating elements like the altar, flowers, and candles into your shots not only enhances the beauty of the image but also deepens its emotional impact. It is these details that give the photograph its depth, allowing viewers to feel the weight of the moment.

The Power of Light and Emotion in Portraits

Finally, Maldonado advises photographers to use the natural light of the surroundings to their advantage. “The light of your environment, especially during sunset, is invaluable for creating emotional depth in your portraits,” he says. “The warm tones from the sunset contrast beautifully with the cool hues of the night, adding layers of emotion to your images. The soft glow from the candles and the flicker of the fire create an intimate atmosphere that can make the subject feel more connected to the moment.” Light plays a crucial role in portrait photography, and during Día de Muertos, the specific lighting conditions of the festival—whether from the soft glow of candlelight or the rich tones of the setting sun—can elevate the emotional impact of your images. By mastering light, photographers can capture not only the physical features of their subjects but also the essence of the moment itself.

Conclusion: Capturing the Soul of Día de Muertos

El Día de Muertos is a celebration of life, death, and memory, and capturing its essence through portrait photography requires both technical skill and emotional intelligence. Jaime Ávila and Jorge Maldonado’s insights provide photographers with a roadmap to creating compelling, respectful, and emotionally resonant images. By focusing on the background, experimenting with different framing, acknowledging the collaborative efforts behind the scenes, and building emotional connections with subjects, photographers can create portraits that truly reflect the spirit of the celebration. The key is to find the story behind the eyes of each subject, integrate the environment seamlessly, and use light to convey emotion. Through this approach, photographers can honour the beauty of Día de Muertos while capturing its depth and significance for future generations.

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