Skip to content
Dane Strom: 10 Years Photographing Ajijic, Mexico
Instagram Facebook Youtube
  • Photo Series
  • Photo Blog
  • Photo Gallery
  • Fine Art Photography
  • About Dane
  • Contact
Menu
  • Photo Series
  • Photo Blog
  • Photo Gallery
  • Fine Art Photography
  • About Dane
  • Contact
menu

About Dane Strom

In 2010, when I was 26, I did something crazy or, some might say, stupid. I quit my job and moved to a small mountain town in Central Mexico called Ajijic, on the north shore of the country’s largest lake.

For the last ten years, I’ve lived here, focusing my camera on the town’s many holidays, religious processions and the celebrations that make it the unique place that it is.

Dane Strom with a sayaca during Carnaval in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
Dane with one of Ajijic's masked "sayacas" during Carnaval in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.

Mexico is the only subject that I photograph. And not just Mexico in general, nor Central Mexico, nor the state of Jalisco. But even more specifically, the town of Ajijic and its countless traditions, some of which I’ve had the privilege to document a whole decade now.

That’s why I wouldn’t call myself a travel photographer since the photos that I take are of Ajijic and a few of the nearby towns. Many of my photos are of my friends and neighbors, who allow me a fly-on-the-wall perspective of their events, culture and way of life.

Over the last ten years, I’ve been accepted into the town and am now an expected (and luckily, welcome) presence at the town’s many events: from the matriarchs and patriarchs of Ajijic’s major families to parents who know they’ll be getting a long-lasting photo of their child taking part in their town’s traditions.

And because everyone, of course, wants their photo uploaded to Facebook afterwards for the whole town to see (I’ve been “friended” by about 25% of the town).

Today, in 2020 – now more than ever – the world needs to understand each other better. While words, documentary videos and other creative works are sometimes unable to break through linguistic and cultural barriers, a single photo of an authentic moment still has the ability to connect two people and cultures together.

Although two people might come from different cultures with opposing sets of beliefs and values, both can look at the same photo and identify the same traits that they have in common with each other: the experience of being human, of being alive in a human body and conscious of a world of symbology and interpretation, survival and redemption, the sublime bordering on madness.

I hope that my photo essays and the photo series on this site will help you understand more about a side of Mexico that is rarely seen by people outside of the country.

One of the nightly fireworks castles that are lit during Ajijic's 11-day fiestas for the town's patron saint.

Ajijic, Mexico

Ajijic is a town of 10,000 people on the north shore of Mexico’s largest lake, Lake Chapala. It has an almost century-long history intertwined with foreigners who originally found it a match for their artistic or adventurous personalities.

Today, the town finds itself at a bit of a crossroads, caught between maintaining its rich cultural history and keeping at bay the mostly unwanted modern “amenities” such as Walmart, Oxxo convenience stories and expensive housing developments. The area is also a popular weekend destinations for the tapatíos from nearby Guadalajara, which is Mexico’s second-largest city.

Most people who have never been to Mexico usually have the idea that there is just one kind of stereotypical Mexican. But Mexico (like the rest of the Americas) was originally inhabited by dozens of indigenous groups, each with its own customs and culture.

Many of these groups survive to this day with a unique set of beliefs and traditions that can now be called Mexican – or Zapotec or Huichol or Chichimeca or Triqui or… The Mexican constitution recognizes 62 indigenous groups and each one has its own language, dress and identity.

In the state of Oaxaca, there are 570 municipalities and it’s said that there are 570 ways to make the traditional dish mole.

Even individual towns, like Ajijic, have their own own traditions, holidays and style of doing things.

If you’re interested in learning more about Ajijic and Lake Chapala, check out my other website, The Lakeside Guide.

It will take you on a trip through many of Ajijic’s restaurants, shops, artists and other businesses. The Lakeside Guide is a website that I designed and developed to help give free publicity to over 100 small businesses and individuals in Ajijic.

Awards & Exhibitions

A few years ago, I spent some time submitting to contests and group exhibitions.

Contests

  • LifeFramer – World Travelers contest winner judged by Steve McCurry.
  • Latin American Fotografía – Winner.
  • International Photographer of the Year – Second place winner, People: Travel.
  • Cuartoscuro Latin American Identity – Finalist (2 entries).
  • International Photography Awards – Honorable mention in two categories.
  • New Eyes International Travel Photography Competition finalist.
  • FeatureShoot – “Magic Hour” contest.
  • AdoramaPix Your Best Shot – Top 10 finalist.
  • Moscow International Foto Awards – Honorable mention (two entries).
  • International Photo Awards: Family of Man – Honorable mention (two entries).
  • Fraction Magazine – 8th-anniversary group show issue.
  • LifeFramer – After Dark editors’ pick.

Exhibitions

  • Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, CA. Exhibition for Cuartoscuro magazine’s Latin American Identity contest.
  • Archive Museum of Photography, Mexico City, Mexico. Exhibition for Cuartoscuro magazine’s Latin American Identity contest.
  • Center for Fine Art Photography, Colorado, USA. Center Forward, juried by Aline Smithson (founder/editor Lenscratch) and Hamidah Glasgow (Center executive director).
  • Darkroom Gallery, Vermont, USA. Culture, juried by Peter Turnley (2 photos).
  • Blank Wall Gallery, Greece. Portraits, juried by Maria Toutoudaki.
  • Darkroom Gallery, Vermont, USA. Chroma, juried by Susan Spiritus.
  • Blank Wall Gallery, Greece. Monochrome, juried by Maria Toutoudaki.
  • Darkroom Gallery, Vermont, USA. In the Moment, juried by Olaf Willoughby (2 photos).
  • Darkroom Gallery, Vermont, USA. Manus et Pedibus, juried by Tim Booth.

Image Licensing

Contact me if you’re interested in licensing my images for your commercial project. The cost will depend on how the image will be used. You can also send me a message using this form if you’re interested in publishing or exhibiting my photos.

See More of Mexico

  • Photo Series
  • Photo Essays
  • Photo Gallery
  • Videos

Fine Art Photography Prints of Mexico

Aztec Dancers during a procession for Our Lady of the Rosary in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico

See Fine Art Prints ►

Follow Me on the Instagram @danestrom

Two children are dressed as catrines on the Day of Two children are dressed as catrines on the Day of the Dead in the cemetery in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.
//
Dos niños vestidos como catrines en el Día de Muertos en el panteón de Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.  #ajijic #jalisco #mexico #dayofthedead #diademuertos #diadelosmuertos #catrinas #catrines #catrina #catrin #cemetery #panteon #graveyard #mextagram #mexico_maravilloso #mexigers #ig_mexico #vive_mexico #igersmexico #loves_mexico #wu_mexico #pasionxmexico #mexicolors #traveltheworld #igtravel #culture #travel #mexicodesconocido #méxicolindo #mexicoandando
Victor Rochin launches a rocket during the process Victor Rochin launches a rocket during the procession for Saint Andrew in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.
//
Victor Rochin lanza un cohete durante la procesión de San Andrés en Ajijic, Jalisco, México.
Hice una página web / guía turística virtual pa Hice una página web / guía turística virtual para Ajijic, México, el pueblo en lo que he vivido los últimos 8 años. Restaurantes, tiendas, artistas, artesanos, hoteles, qué hacer, fiestas y festivales. Además de ser fotógrafo, también soy diseñador de web! Que la encuentres útil si alguna vez estás en la área. Visita https://lakesideguide.mx o checa el bio link de hoy.
//⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I made a website/virtual tourist guide to Ajijic, Mexico, the town where I've been living for the past 8 years. Restaurants, shops, artists, artisans, hotels, what to do, fiestas & festivals. Apart from being a photographer, I'm also a web designer! If you're ever in the area, I hope you find it useful. Visit https://lakesideguide.mx or check today's bio link.  #mexico #ajijic #chapala #jalisco #guadalajara #lagodechapala #lakesideguide
El Lago de Chapala en abstracto. Más photos del L El Lago de Chapala en abstracto. Más photos del Lago de Chapala en blanco y negro en el bio link de hoy o visita bit.ly/chapalainabstract. Impresiones de esta foto disponisble en bit.ly/abstractchapala1.
//⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Lake Chapala in abstract. More photos of Lake Chapala in black and white in today's bio link or visit bit.ly/chapalainabstract. Prints available of this photo at bit.ly/abstractchapala1.
Charros en el Día del Charro en Ajijic, Jalisco, Charros en el Día del Charro en Ajijic, Jalisco, México. Los charros tienen su propio día de fiesta en México. Visita bit.ly/dayofthecowboy para ver más fotos de charros.
//⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Cowboys on the Day of the Cowboy in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. Cowboys have their own national holiday in Mexico. Visit bit.ly/dayofthecowboy for more charro photos.
Un joven charro en el Día del Charro en Ajijic, J Un joven charro en el Día del Charro en Ajijic, Jalisco, México. Los charros tienen su propio día de fiesta en México. Visita bit.ly/mexicowboys para ver más fotos de charros o haz clic en el bio link de hoy.
//⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A young cowboy on the Day of the Cowboy in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. Cowboys have their own national holiday in Mexico. Visit bit.ly/mexicowboys to see more photos of charros or click on today's bio link.
Un vaquero demuestra su habilidad con el laso en e Un vaquero demuestra su habilidad con el laso en el Día del Vaquero en Ajijic, Jalisco, México. Los charros tienen su propio día de fiesta en México. Visita bit.ly/cowboyshadow para ver más fotos de charros.
//⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A cowboy shows off his roping skills on the Day of the Cowboy in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. Cowboys have their own national holiday in Mexico. Visit bit.ly/cowboyshadow to see more photos of charros.
Un danzante de ballet folklórico estilo veracruza Un danzante de ballet folklórico estilo veracruzano en el Día de Muertos, Ixtlahuacán. Visita bit.ly/catrinaphotos para más fotos de catrinas en el Día de Muertos.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A Veracruz-style ballet folklórico dancer dressed as a catrín on the Day of the Dead in Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, Jalisco, Mexico. Visit bit.ly/catrinaphotos for more photos of catrinas on the Day of the Dead.
Un danzante de ballet folklórico estilo veracruza Un danzante de ballet folklórico estilo veracruzano en el Día de Muertos, Ixtlahuacán. Visita bit.ly/catrinaphotos para más fotos de catrinas en el Día de Muertos.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A Veracruz-style ballet folklórico dancer dressed as a catrín on the Day of the Dead in Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, Jalisco, Mexico. Visit bit.ly/catrinaphotos for more photos of catrinas on the Day of the Dead.
Un danzante de ballet folklórico veracruazano dis Un danzante de ballet folklórico veracruazano disfrazado como un catrín en el Día de los Muertos. Estuvo en Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, Jalisco, México, para un espectáculo de danza y vestía el atuendo tradicional de ballet folklórico del estado de Veracruz. Para más fotos de catrinas en el Día de Muertos visita bit.ly/catrinaphotos.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A Veracruz-style ballet folklórico dancer dressed as a catrín on the Day of the Dead. He was in Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, Jalisco, Mexico, for a dance performance and was wearing the traditional dance outfit of ballet folklórico dancers from the state of Veracruz. For more photos of catrinas on the Day of the Dead visit bit.ly/catrinaphotos.
El gran finale de los espectáculos de fuegos arti El gran finale de los espectáculos de fuegos artificiales para el último día de una fiesta de 12 días en Ajijic, Jalisco, México, las fiestas patronales de San Andrés. Para más fotos de castillos pirotécnicos visita bit.ly/fireworkscastillos.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The grand finale fireworks show on the last day of a 12-day fiesta in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico, for the fiestas patronales of St. Andrew. For more photos of Mexican fireworks castles visit bit.ly/fireworkscastillos.
Un "castillo" de fuegos artificiales durante las f Un "castillo" de fuegos artificiales durante las fiestas patronales de San Andrés en Ajijic, Jalisco, México. Los castillos pueden alcanzar 15-20 metros o a veces más.  Para más fotos de castillos pirotécnicos visita bit.ly/fireworkscastillos.  A pyrotechnics worker keeps close watch on a fireworks "castle" during the fiestas patronales for St. Andrew in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. These structures reach 50 feet or sometimes more. For more photos of Mexican fireworks castles visit bit.ly/fireworkscastillos

All images © Dane Strom

  • Photo Series
  • Photo Blog
  • Photo Gallery
  • Fine Art Photography
  • About Dane
  • Contact
Menu
  • Photo Series
  • Photo Blog
  • Photo Gallery
  • Fine Art Photography
  • About Dane
  • Contact