Day of the Dead
Oaxaca, Mexico | Oct 28 - Nov 4, 2024
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Oaxaca
Day of the Dead is celebrated throughout Mexico, but Oaxaca has by far the most unique and magical traditions. The festival takes place from October the 31st to November the 2nd every year. Over these three days, the city is completely transformed into an artistic wonderland. It is very normal to see faces painted with decorative skulls, floral garlands enlacing every lamp post, colors splashed on every wall and displays of remembrance scattered through the city. There are parades, parties, performances and graveyard celebrations all over the place. The day of the dead in Oaxaca is like nothing you have ever experienced before!
In addition to all the festivities around Day of the Dead, Oaxaca is known for its amazing cuisine, mezcal production, modern nightlife, storied history, and ancient Zapatec temazcal steam baths.
Workshop Description
Join acclaimed photographer Chris Suspect and take your street and documentary photography to the next level. Chris will review the basics of street photography, the differences between street and documentary work, and the history of street and documentary photography, including the work of the masters.
During the course of the workshop, Chris will identify your natural photographic inclinations and then encourage you to go outside your comfort zone by making more challenging or complex images that build upon your personal style. The end goal is to come home with a strong portfolio of work that is consistent with your personal voice and vision.
You will also learn how one “reads” a photographic image and how to identify the elements of what makes a photograph successful. Chris will discuss visual cues to keep in the back of your mind when shooting from juxtapositions, tricks of perspective, multiple points of interest, capturing raw emotion, layering, obscuring elements, geometric principles, shadow play, and harnessing the subliminal power of semiotics. Chris also works a lot with flash and will share techniques to shoot at night in the festivities around Oaxaca.
This workshop is for all levels but a basic understanding of how to operate your camera is expected. A laptop and thumb drive will be required for editing and critique sessions. Any camera is accepted.
Schedule
We will have breakfast every day as a group. Then we will meet daily in the mornings to review work and give feedback. The group will go out and shoot at different times and locations depending on the Dead of the Day festivities and schedule of events.
The workshop starts on the 28th in the evening with a group dinner (after all students have arrived ) and ends the 4th at approximately 8am after group breakfast. You can make travel arrangements to depart Oaxaca anytime after 8 AM on the 4th.
Price
The package price is $3,745.
Early bird is $3,245, if registered (with full payment) before July 15. (See “How to Register” below for more details.)
What’s included:
Personal review of your portfolio by Chris Suspect
Single accommodations for 7 nights/8 days in Hotel del Marquesado, a 4-star rustic, colonial style hotel in the center of Oaxaca (1 king size or 2 double beds / AC / TV / Wifi).
Meet and greet party in the hotel courtyard with mezcal tasting, cocktails and live music on October 28th.
Two group dinners (first and last night in two of Oaxaca's best restaurants.)
October 31 - Visit Xoxocotlán graveyard at sunset. Car travel included.
November 1 - Visit the graveyard of Atzompa and then head to Etla for their Day of the Dead parade. Car travel included.
November 2 Go to the village graveyard of Teotitlan. Car travel included.
Attend a Lucha Libre match (schedule permitting).
Group presentation of student work at a surprise location.
Note: Does not include air travel or transfers to/from Oaxaca.
Optional/Add ons
Visit a temazcal steam bath $100 per person on Oct 29 or 30th. 3 hour trip. Must be booked 2 months in advance.
Visit Hierve el Agua. Natural mineral pools in the mountains $75 per person 6 hour trip on Oct 29 or 30th
Visit Monte Alban. Zapotec architectural ruins $50 per person. 4 hour trip on Oct 29 or 30th.
Visit a mezcal distillery $50 per person 3 hours trip.
All add ons can be arranged closer to departure with the exception of the temazcal which requires 2 months advance notice.
Getting to Oaxaca
The best way is to fly to Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) and then take a 20 min taxi/transfer to the hotel in the city’s center. We can assist in making transfer arrangements to the hotel from the airport if you like.
Safety in Oaxaca
As far as crime goes, Oaxaca is one of the safest states in Mexico. Oaxaca City, in particular, when compared to other urban centers, retains a friendly, small-town vibe. As a tourist, if you take the usual precautions as you would in your own city, the chances of experiencing crime are low. There are no US Government travel restrictions for the City of Oaxaca.
How to Register
Click the button below to make a deposit of $500 to reserve your spot or to go ahead and pay in full. Deposits are not refundable.
If you are making a deposit, the full balance of $3,245 is due by September 1, 2023.
Early bird pricing of $3,245 is only available to those who pay in full up to July 15.
After July 15, price is $3,745.
Deadline is September 1.
Note: If you want to bring a partner and share your hotel room there is an additional cost of $25 per night. Please email me directly if this is the case at csuspect1@gmail.com so I can let the hotel know.
This workshop is subject to any local health restrictions in place at the time of the event and may be subject to change. This is NOT an online workshop. Max students 10.
Cancellation Policy: Full refund up to 60 days out (Aug. 29) less transaction fees. 50% refund up to 30 days out (Sept. 28) less transaction fees. No refund if less than 30 days.
2023 Day of the Dead Street Photography Workshop Promo Video
Student Work from Day of the Dead Workshop in Oaxaca 2022
Student Work and Testimonials from 2021 Day of the Dead Workshop in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Need More Information?
Contact Chris Suspect at csuspect1@gmail.com