"Oh voyagers, oh seamen,
You who came 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 PhotographyRaoul Ortega on FacebookRaoul Ortega on FlickrSee the Dia De Los Muertos series in its entirety HERE.