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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Dia De Los Muertos: the photography of Raoul Ortega


                                                         "Oh voyagers, oh seamen, 
                                                          You who come to port, 
                                                          and you whose bodies will suffer 
                                                          the trial and tribulations of the sea
                                                          or whatever event. 
                                                          This is your real destination...
                                                          not farewell. But fare forward."
                                                                   T.S. Eliot, The Dry Salvages

This is a beautiful time of the year. 

During the last week of October and the beginning of November, traditional Mexicana culture celebrates the lives of loved ones who have passed on, by honoring a holiday christened the Day of the Dead, or Dia De Los Muertos. This is no sombre affair: Dia de los Muertos is a joyful, colorful celebration of life, a seasonal reminder on how precious this life is.

Capturing the spirit and the beauty of this cultural holiday are the images of photographer Raoul Ortega's most recent photograph series, Dia De Los Muertos. Raoul Ortega is a Sacramento photographer of note, probably best known as the unofficial-official photographer for designers Van Der Neer.  His artistic eye keenly captures their modern yet romantic aesthetic. 
These  Dia De Los Muertos  photos could easily fit inside the pages of a fashion magazine, but the images contain more than just pretty girls in colorful clothes. Caught on film is the concept that life while fleeting, is beautiful and worth celebrating. 

All images by Raoul Ortega Photography. Used by permission.



From the series, Dia De Los Muertos. Photos: Raoul Ortega Photography
Raoul Ortega on Facebook
Raoul Ortega on Flickr

See the Dia De Los Muertos series in its entirety HERE.

30 comments:

  1. LieslOctober 29, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    These images are amazing and so colorful! They capture the Day of the Dead so well and in the right light too...a celebration!

    Liesl :)

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  2. UnknownOctober 29, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    Beautiful Bella! So AWESOME!!!

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  3. FrocktasiaOctober 29, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    Love these photos, very inspirational!...x

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  4. mispapelicosOctober 29, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Wonderful photos and Mexican celebration.
    Just what I needed.
    Mil besos, my dear Bella
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  5. JillOctober 29, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    Gorgeous photos, saturated with beautiful colors. And I love T.S. Eliot! This is a fantastic combination, Bella. Well done! XO, Jill

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  6. KimberleeOctober 29, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    These are gorgeous photos! I love Dia de los Muertos. I hope there are some amazing celebrations in NYC :)

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  7. SantinaOctober 29, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    I'm blown away by these photos. Thanks for introducing me to such a talented photographer!

    Santina

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  8. Collette OsunaOctober 29, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    You KNOW how much I absolutely LOVE these!!! Soooo cool:)
    The detail work is really out of this world...thanks for sharing!!

    Enter my Shabby Apple Fab Frock Giveaway!!

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  9. FASHION TALESOctober 29, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    I love this time of year. Makes me sad to have to miss out on all of the festivities of the Bay area this week though. He's such a talented photographer. Both artful and culturally fascinating to me and what a beautiful way to celebrate! Thank you for the intro of his work.

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  10. Anupriya DGOctober 30, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    WOW! What an amazing amazing shoot! Great clothes.....great make-up......great photography!!! <3

    Thanks for sharing... :)

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  11. A BRIT GREEKOctober 30, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    I am so loving these since i'm obsessed with colour and costume make up - that last shot is amazing!
    This time of year always reminds me of endless festivities in the lead up to my birthday... what with Halloween, Bonfire night... lots of celebrations, love it!

    x.o.x.o

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  12. UnknownOctober 30, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    beautiful pictures - thank you for sharing these amazing pics with us!

    Ariane xxxxx

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  13. theequinebovineOctober 30, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    incredibly beautiful

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  14. AdrienneOctober 30, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Beautiful images, love this!

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  15. OfeliaOctober 30, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    A national celebration paired with the beauty of the Mexican vestidos and the indian traditional hair and accessories creates such stunning photographs.

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  16. Sasha MariaOctober 30, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    These are really stunning.

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  17. VeshoeviusOctober 31, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    I'd read about this tradition but the celebratory aspect of it wasn't emphasised so this post has been an education - wonderful photos!

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  18. UnknownOctober 31, 2011 at 4:52 AM

    Wow stunning images!

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  19. The Style CroneOctober 31, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    Bella, these photos take my breath away. Thank you for sharing these images as they made my day!

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  20. GoodyOctober 31, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    oh i love this...

    i am hoping my makeup tonight will be even half as fabulous as this!

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  21. AnonymousOctober 31, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    El dias de los muertos, un dia para celebrar la vida.

    estoy super orgullosa que tu as escribido de un dia tan precioso. La gente se quibocan cuando ven el nombre, por lo serio que suena. Pero que bueno que tu aclaras que esto es un dia para celebrar la vida de uno, y de los que a pasado.

    I love how I can share some spanish heritage with you my bella. This would be such a fun theme for a party.. hmm... maybe that'll be the theme for my 23rd birthday. How fun right? lol

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  22. UnknownOctober 31, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    Holy cow. These photographs are stunning!! I absolutely love the make up.

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  23. The Foolish AestheteOctober 31, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Wonderful post! I love the Day of the Dead tradition in Mexico, and these photos are absolutely breathtaking.

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  24. EOctober 31, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    I love the wonderful art that comes with the Day of the Dead! I see these photos and they make me want to see the real thing someday!

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  25. Susan TinerNovember 1, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Stunning photography! Thank you for introducing this artist.

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  26. The Closet ShopperNovember 1, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Those images are stunning.

    xo,
    Tracy

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  27. doradadamaNovember 1, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    Hola Amor,
    I adorar Dia de los Muertos!
    from the bright colors to the calavereas and what Dia de los muertos means, honoring our past loved ones. amazing fotos and modelos.Gracias for the follow.
    besotes

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  28. UnknownNovember 1, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    Wow, how amazingly gorgeous!! I just love the use of color in Mexican traditional clothes. Clothes in south Asia are also similarly colorful and I really miss being surrounded by so much color.

    I'm very grateful you showcase local talents like Raoul Ortega. It's awesome that Sac has such a great artistic and cultural scene. I live in Roseville and I'm often so starved for culture and art, lol! I'm glad I get to experience it vicariously through your blog! ^_^

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  29. TheDollsFactoryNovember 2, 2011 at 1:06 AM

    the best halloween outfit of 2011
    congrats
    great post
    Always following
    The Dolls Factory

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  30. KathleenNovember 1, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    Lovely!

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You are rad. Thanks for your comment!