This year as part of my Day of the Dead Photography Workshop I carried an instant camera/printer so I can give prints right there on the spot and let me tell you it was a hit, from children to the elders and everyone in between. The camera has no controls or settings one can change; … Read more
Mayan girl Rosa Guadalupe and her siblings play around the family tombstones by throwing into the air “flores de muerto,” marigolds or flowers of the dead at the graveyard of Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala on All Saints Day. Day of the Dead in Guatemala is a celebration that reunites the living with the dead. This photograph … Read more
Holga, Mayan girl tends and ushers passers-by into a kite shop for All Saints’ Day celebrations in Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. Day of the Dead and All Saints’ Day in Guatemala are celebrations that reunite the living with the dead. This photograph was captured as part of my intensive Day of the Dead photo workshop. We … Read more
As part of the Day of the Dead photography workshop on November 1st, we shot two Mayan graveyards one Spanish cemetery; giant kites on display and flying, fiambre preparation with a family who have been doing for over 45 years; a special All Saints Day procession in Antigua Guatemala plus sawdust carpet-making process themed around … Read more
Visitors enjoy the giant kites on display at the cemetery of Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, a tradition which dates back more than 119 years. Most of the giant kites on display measure more than 20 meters across. This photograph was captured as part of my intensive Day of the Dead photo workshop. We had a full … Read more
In Guatemala Day of the Dead is a celebration that reunites the living with the dead. They say that you’re not dead until you’re forgotten. Well, in Guatemala you are remembered for much much longer as families set up a little shrine at home with your portrait, flowers and candles to always keep you present … Read more
Here’s your Guatemalan Spanish word of the day: Barriletes for kites. In my humble opinion, Santiago Sacatepequez is the most photogenic location to watch in awe the magnificent giant kites of Guatemala because they are flown form the graveyard, with people running in all directions over the tombstones. What’s your favorite spot to watch the … Read more
The festival of Barriletes Gigantes of Guatemala takes place in at least three villages of Sacatepequez: Santiago Sacatepequez, the original and most authentic location, Sumpango and Santa María Cauque. To me the most photogenic place is Santiago since the giant kites are flown over a Mayan graveyard. This festival is full of color and hundreds … Read more
Be part of the amazing Day of the Dead Photography Photo Walk in Santiago Sacatepequez with its giant kites festival and a visit the the aristocrat necropolis of Antigua Guatemala.
As some of you may already know, I lead photo walks at three distinct cemeteries on All Saints Day. After a photography workshop on travel and street photography, we headed to the Mayan village of Santiago Sacatepequez, cradle of the giant kites and kites cooperatives. Rain was forecasted, but we were fortunate to have only … Read more
Those of you, who have followed the daily updates of La Antigua Guatemala Daily Photo for a while, would know already how much I like to name certain entries with titles of films. If you look in the past 930 days, you would find the titles of some of my favorite films. Can you name … Read more
Here’s another quote taken from the article written by Ignacio Ochoa and published in Revue Magazine about the history of kite making in Santiago Sacatepéquez under the name of Messenges in the Wind. At 4 a.m. on November 2, everyone moves toward the cemetery with candles so the spirits can return to their celestial home. … Read more