The People of Oaxaca

Photographer Holly Wren, travelled to Oaxaca, a city in the south of Mexico to celebrate and take portraits of people during Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Although the City was alive with party-goers, Holly was more intrigued with the more traditional, quiet celebrations of Muertos. For which she travelled outside the city to Mitla and Solaga, to learn more about these indigenous communities and to take their portraits.

Rufina

Taken at her home, she wanted to take her washing down, to clear the yard for me to take her and her husbands photograph. But I loved the depth I could create using the washing, and the colours. As soon as I lifted my camera Rufina started laughing and working quicker, to get her washing out of the shots. So I started snapping a way, a throw away moment that turned out to be one of my favourites.

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I took this portrait in the market about 5am when the sun had just risen. I spotted her and held my camera up to see if she would allow me to take her picture. She did and I bought some flowers from here. I loved her skin, and her face, she was so beautiful.

Aron

Waiting at his home, sat on the hard concrete Aron was enjoying the sun whilst his wife prepared their food for Muertos. Aron must have been 90, but he wouldn’t let us help him to his feet or on the steps. Fiercely independent and probably my favourite face.

Lucia

Lucia was my guide Marias godmother, and I was invited to her house to dine with her family, where they treated me so kindly. I took her picture in the entrance to her home, you can see the bunting that was there for Muertos. Lucia had dressed in her finest silk outfit, to welcome back the spirit of her husband.

To see more of Holly’s photography projects click here.

You can find Holly on Instagram @holly_wren

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