The day of the Dead in Oaxaca is something special. Since 2015 I organize photography expeditions. The last one was in 2019, but this year I will back to document the traditions in that magical land in the south of Mexico.
Th orange flowers (cempasúchil) color the city and all the villages in the state of Oaxaca, in fact in Mexican tradition this flower is used to guide souls towards their return home, and they are collocated on altars decorated in honor of the dead, in Spanish ofrendas.
For all the festivities, starting from 25-28 October and ending on 2-3 November, a typical bread the Pan de Muertos is eaten, a typical dessert sprinkled with sugar, whose round shape is adorned with fake bones and a small skull.
The Dia de muertos is a celebration that comes from pre-Hispanic populations, more familiar than public. It is a moment in which the dead are remembered and honored, who reunite with their families from the afterlife on the night between 1 and 2 November. According to popular belief, this only happens if they are remembered by the living and only if their photo is displayed on the family altar. The traditions of Vida y Muerte belong to all of Mexico, but there are some regions where these holidays are particularly felt and therefore also celebrated in public, with events and parades, as in Oaxaca.
During my documentation of these years I made a lot of photos but first of all I connected with the local people, because I think is very important for the work of a documentary photographer to understand and respecting the traditions in order to give a visual proposal that is real and genuine.
Because of pandemic in 2020 for the first time since 2015 I did not go to Oaxaca. But this year I will back. It is possible to come with me and working together for a limited number of participants. In any case I will go so even with a participant my Day of the Dead Photo Expedition will take place.
Oaxaca
Mexiko / Nordamerika
OCTOBER 28TH- NOVEMBER 4TH, OAXACA DE JUAREZ (OAXACA), MEXICO
THIS EXPERIENCE IS RESERVED TO A GROUP OF MAXIMUMM 4 PARTICIPANTS. BOOK YOUR SPOT TODAY.
EARLY BIRD INSCRIPTIONS UNTIL APRIL 30, 2024 DISCOUNT PRICE 3000 US$
DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
Tuition in English, Italian, Spanish language.
Max. 4 students.
***BEST SELLING EXPERIENCE MAKING THIS WORKSHOP IN OAXACA SINCE 2015***
Join acclaimed street photographer Alex Coghe and take your photography to the next level.
Alex will review your work and during the workshop he will guide you, taking photographs together, in classic places of the city and the surrounding villages, but also in places not beaten by tourists,.thanks to his experience and knowledge of Oaxaca, a place that Alex loves and which is a bit like his second home. Without neglecting the possibility of taking photographs of all kinds from portraits to documentary, this workshop will focus on street photography, a genre that Alex dominates and of which he boasts an experience of over 15 years that has led him to photograph in different places in the world, even in those considered the most difficult and dangerous.
During this intense and full immersion experience, Alex will identify your photographic inclinations but he will also inspire you to go outside your comfort zone, trying several approaches and techniques with the end goal to make you a better photographer, with a personal vision.
Thanks to the daily reviews you will have the opportunity to learn how to read a photograph and how to recognize the elements making a good photograph . Alex also will show you techniques to shoot at night in the festivities around Oaxaca, with or without a flash. He will show you how using the flash or choosing extreme exposure combinations, working on shutter speed, can be used creatively to give you images with a strong emotional impact.
Thanks to his experience and his character, as an open and cheerful person, Alex will make you experience the workshop with a good vibe, with moments full of fun, and therefore it is certainly a workshop where the learning of the proposed subject is put at the center but always with the attention to live this experience well, in friendship and where human contact plays a fundamental role.
This workshop is for all levels. A laptop and SDHC memories are required to all the participants. Any camera is accepted.
THE COST INCLUDES: Tuition, e-books, certificate, exclusive print, professional portfolio review, mentoring program, FEATURE on THE STREET PHOTOGRAPHY CHANNEL on YouTube.
PLEASE NOTE: WE DON’T PROVIDE ANYMORE ACCOMODATIONS BECAUSE WE WANT TO AVOID PEOPLE THINKING TO DO A VACATION AND NOT INTERESTED IN THE WORKSHOP. WE CAN RECOMMEND HOTELS ON THE LOCATION OF THE EXPEDITION. WE WILL COUNT WITH A NICE MEETING POINT FOR OUR BRIEFINGS AND FEEDBACK.
For more info, please contact me by sending me an email to: [email protected]
Documentary Street Photographer. Specialising in portraits.
Street Photography Workshops and Expeditions in Mexico.
Recognized street and portrait photographer known for his bold, raw, and unapologetic approach to visual storytelling. Specializing in black-and-white photography, Alex brings an artistic edge to both street and environmental portraiture, where every shot is a study of human emotion, urban landscapes, and the dynamic relationship between people and their surroundings.
With a career that spans decades, Alex’s work stands out for its authenticity and simplicity. He believes in the power of reduction—stripping away distractions, both literally and figuratively, to focus on the essence of the scene. Whether he's capturing the gritty streets of Mexico City or composing a striking environmental portrait, his black-and-white imagery drives straight to the heart, telling stories that transcend trends and time.
Beyond his work behind the camera, Alex is a mentor, author, and YouTuber, sharing his vast knowledge of photography with a growing global community. His philosophy emphasizes the importance of artistic integrity and personal vision over following the commercialized conventions of the photography world. For Alex, photography is not just a profession, but a way of life—a continuous exploration of light, shadow, emotion, and form.
Through his workshops, masterclasses, and published works, Alex inspires photographers at every level to embrace their own creative instincts, and to pursue photography with passion and purpose. His ongoing project, MONOCHROM MAGAZINE, reflects his deep commitment to black-and-white photography, providing a platform for artists who share his vision.
Alex Coghe's unique ability to blend art and storytelling makes him a sought-after figure in both street and portrait photography, positioning him as one of the voices pushing the boundaries of contemporary visual culture.