Inside a Catrina Session – What Oaxaca Taught Me About Photographing Culture
Story by Gus Mejia
Every year during Día de Muertos, Oaxaca becomes one of the most visually powerful places in the world. The streets are filled with marigolds, copal smoke, music, and stories that honor life, memory, and tradition. As a photography leader, Oaxaca is not just a destination I return to, it’s a place where I guide photographers through meaningful visual storytelling.
One of the most impactful experiences in my annual Oaxaca “Day of the Dead” Photography Workshop is photographing Catrinas. These sessions are carefully designed to go beyond beautiful portraits. They are about understanding culture, earning trust, and learning how to photograph people with respect, intention, and depth.
The Makeup Session: Where the Story Begins
Before the cameras come out, everything starts with the makeup session. This is where transformation happens, not just visually, but emotionally. Watching a model become a Catrina is witnessing a ritual. Every brushstroke, symbol, and color choice carries meaning tied to Día de Muertos traditions.
During the workshop, I encourage participants to slow down during this phase. This is an opportunity to practice documentary-style photography: observing light, expressions, and quiet moments. These behind-the-scenes images often become some of the most powerful photographs because they capture anticipation and intimacy.
From a technical standpoint, the makeup session teaches photographers how to work in tight spaces, adapt to mixed lighting, and shoot respectfully without interrupting the process.
The Costume: Texture, Meaning, and Movement
Once the costumes are complete, the energy shifts. Traditional dresses, florals, handmade accessories, and heirloom pieces come together to tell a story that is deeply rooted in Mexican culture. Each Catrina look is intentional, nothing is random.
During the workshop, we focus on how to photograph texture, layers, and movement. Oaxaca’s colorful walls, colonial streets, and natural light become the perfect backdrop. I guide photographers on how to compose shots that honor both the subject and the environment, creating images that feel timeless rather than staged.
This stage is also about direction, learning how to guide a model while still allowing their personality and presence to lead the image.
Why Private Sessions Matter
One of the key elements of my workshop is private and small-group Catrina sessions. These sessions create space for photographers to slow down, ask questions, and experiment without pressure. Instead of competing for a shot, participants have time to connect with the model, refine their vision, and truly understand the scene.
Private sessions allow me, as a leader, to give personalized guidance, from camera settings to composition, posing, and storytelling. This is where photographers grow the most: when they feel supported, not rushed. It also reinforces something I believe strongly in — photographing culture requires respect, patience, and presence.
Photo Tips I Share During the Workshop
Throughout the experience, I emphasize a few core principles:
- Respect comes first: Always understand what you are photographing and why.
- Light over gear: Oaxaca offers incredible natural light — learn to see it before changing settings.
- Tell a story, not just a portrait: Include hands, details, environment, and moments between poses.
- Be present: Some of the strongest images happen when you stop chasing the shot and let it come to you.
These lessons don’t just apply to Oaxaca — they stay with photographers long after the workshop ends.
Join Me in Oaxaca 2026
Photographing Catrinas in Oaxaca during Día de Muertos is more than a photoshoot, it’s a cultural experience that changes how you see photography and storytelling.
As a leader, my goal is to guide photographers through this experience with intention, respect, and creativity, helping them grow not only technically, but personally.
If you’ve ever wanted to photograph Día de Muertos in a meaningful way, I invite you to join me on my Oaxaca Photo Tour in 2026. Come learn, connect, and create images that honor one of the most powerful traditions in the world.
I look forward to welcoming you to Oaxaca.
