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carolw

Dos Catrinas

Posted on November 3, 2015

On Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), I styled a photo shoot with two young women who are also good friends. I did all the make-up myself and chose a location here in Mineral de Pozos, Mexico. The San Pedro ruins provided the perfect backdrop for my shoot. Alejandra and Malenii were terrific models and very patient with my broken Spanish language instructions (thank goodness for universal hand signals). Thanks to Jaime for being my translator when needed and teaching me phrases for future styled shoots with Spanish speaking models. I love how these turned out and I think I’ll make it an annual project here in Mexico.

These images are available as fine art prints and licensing.

Camera: Pentax 645Z

Editing Software: Adobe Lightroom, Alien Skin Exposure 7

Dos Catrinas – Infrared

Posted on November 3, 2015

On Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), I styled a photo shoot with two young women who are also good friends. I did all the make-up myself and chose a location here in Mineral de Pozos, Mexico. The San Pedro ruins provided the perfect backdrop for my shoot. Alejandra and Malenii were terrific models. My previous post shows the medium format color images from the shoot. This post features the digital infrared images using a Supercolor IR filter.

These images are available as fine art prints and licensing.

Camera: Nikon D300 (IR conversion)Editing Software: Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop

Life in Mexico Photography

Dia de los Muertos: The Teeny Catrina

Posted on November 2, 2015

Putting full “Catrina” make-up on a 4-year-old is not a simple feat. But little Ava was a trooper and held still long enough to get her face made up for the festivities that night. I took a quick portrait of her after I was done and then took a couple of portraits with her gorgeous parents.

Life in Mexico Photography

The Children of El Dia de Todos los Santos

Posted on November 2, 2015

November 1st is All Saints Day or El Dia de Todos los Santos in Mexico. The deceased children (little angels) are remembered on November 1st with toys and colorful balloons adorning their graves. In Pozos, on this day, the children dress up in costumes and go to various homes to collect candy, much like Halloween night in the USA. A group of us gathered at the home of a friend with bags of candy and greeting the children. There were many more children than we expected and we ran out of candy. I photographed them as they came into the entry to collect their sweets.

Life in Mexico Photography

Life in Pozos – More from La Fiesta

Posted on June 1, 2014

We’re coming down to the last day of the annual celebration to honor the town’s patron saint: El Señor de los Trabajos (The Lord of Work). Yesterday was a busy one for Pozos — the day before was quiet because of heavy rains. We wandered around in the evening, looking for yummy food from the street vendors and photographing the scenes encountered. We saw tons of market stalls, food stalls set up everywhere, carnival rides, street dogs looking for scraps, indigenous dancers in colorful costumes and headdresses, and people of all ages making their way on their knees to end their pilgrimage at the church at the top of the hill. Here’s some of the scenes I captured yesterday.

Life in Mexico Photography

Life in Pozos – La Fiesta de El Señor de los Trabajos

Posted on May 29, 2014

Yes, it’s a big week here in Mineral de Pozos, Mexico. It’s the annual celebration to honor the town’s patron saint: El Señor de los Trabajos (The Lord of Work). Many Mexicans pray to El Señor de los Trabajos to help them find work to provide for their families. This is also the patron saint of our parroquia.

This week is a busy medley of processions, native drumming, dancing, marching bands, music, markets and food stands along with the constant artillery pops of firecrackers and fireworks at all hours of the day and night. There is so much going on, it’s overwhelming to experience for the first time. This fiesta is something the entire town prepares for and looks forward to all year. The fiesta will end on Sunday with the arrival of a large pilgrimage of indigenous people from Mexico City and other states of Mexico.

I love photographing Pozos and and feel blessed to live here. I will post more images as the fiesta continues, but here’s a sampling of what I photographed earlier today.

Photography

Love Will Keep You Warm – Stephen and Meredith

Posted on January 22, 2014

Stephen and Meredith’s wedding day ended up being one of the coldest days of the year in Austin. But, that didn’t stop these two from having the time of their lives and making sure their friends and family enjoyed the day too! This wedding was a blast to photograph and these two had more than enough love keep everyone warm — that and the Winter Tent at the Allan House.

Many thanks to Shawn McAdams, my second shooter. Be sure to watch the wedding video trailer at the end of this post!

Venue: Allan House, Austin, TX
Catering: Whole Foods Market Culinary Center and Catering
Dress Designer: White by Vera Wang for David’s Bridal
Floral Designer: Fleurish Austin
Hair and Makeup Stylist: Brizy Tait at The Beauty Jar
Bridesmaid Dresses: custom made from Etsy Store Alex Dress
DJ: Jacob Noack from Live Oak DJ

Life in Mexico Photography

Surviving to Three – Lupita’s Presentación de Tres Años

Posted on January 15, 2014

Within the Mexican culture, which traditionally had a very high infant mortality rate, the Presentación de Tres Años is a celebration for the gift of life received by one’s child. Traditionally celebrated on the child’s third birthday, the presentación is a way for families to join together to give thanks for the life of the child and to ask for continued blessings on him or her. I was honored to be asked by Lupita’s family in Mexico to photograph her Tres Años celebration.

The events of the day included an afternoon mass and blessing at the Parroquia here in Pozos. Then there was a large gathering of family and friends at the family’s el rancho. The party included food supplied and prepared by family members — rice, yummy mole, and large steaming vats of beef and pork carnitas. There was musical entertainment provided by a couple and a karaoke machine while everyone enjoyed their food. Afterwards, there was a special procession and dance featuring Lupita and her little escort as family watched and cheered. Then out came the piñatas filled with candies that were broken apart by stick wielding children (I admit it was a little strange to witness Thumbelina joyfully pummeled and torn apart). The night finished off with everyone sharing a rather large cake.

This was my first Tres Años and it gave me a nice glimpse into local culture. Here’s some of my photographs and a video trailer that were presented to Lupita’s parents:

Here’s the video trailer I made that includes more footage of the event:

Life in Mexico Photography

Travels in Mexico – Bacalar, Quintana Roo

Posted on November 15, 2013

We recently had our first long road trip inside Mexico after being invited by local friends to stay with them as guests at a laguna-front casa in Bacalar located on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula near the border with Belize. We spent time swimming in the laguna, ventured into the jungle to see the Mayan ruins of Dzibanche and spent a day wandering the beach at Mahahual along the Costa Maya. Here’s some IR photographs from the trip.

Photography

Sugar and Spice: Little Kaylin

Posted on August 24, 2013

I’m always honored when a friend asks me to photograph their newborn. I’m even more thrilled when it’s their first child. This was the case with Kaylin. She was born in the heat of the Texas summer, but her gorgeous parents were cool as cucumbers — especially for being first-timers. Thank you Ishan and Opal for allowing me to document this special moment for your new family.