This past Tuesday was the Day of the Dead, my fifth in Mexico, and as always it was two beautiful days of traditions and remembrance, during one of Mexico’s most famous, and most Mexican, of holidays.

I had an amazing time going from town to town visiting the cemeteries and taking pictures, both at day and at night. This year I really wanted to force myself out into the streets as many hours as possible. After all, the “Day” of the Dead actually lasts three days, and many of the best shots happen after dark.

As such it can take some personal motivation to go from town to town, wandering the streets with heavy camera gear and a tripod. However, this year I found myself at midnight the last (living) person in the Ajijic cemetery on November 1, the Day of the Innocents, when the graveyards are decorated by families to remember deceased children.

Be sure to check out my complete series of Day of the Dead photos taken between 2010 and this year.

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A young woman poses as a catrina on the Day of the Dead in Chapala, Jalisco, November 2, 2015.
A catrina on the Day of the Dead in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico.
A young man dressed as a catrine on the Day of the Dead in Chapala, Jalisco. The catrina (feminine) or catrine has been a part of the Day of the Dead traditions since Mexican printmaker José Guadalupe Posada created his 1910 etching La Calavera Catrina. The etching of a skeleton sporting elegant dress the catrina is not only an iconic part of the Day of the Dead, but one of Mexico's most identifying aspects.
A catrine on the Day of the Dead in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico.
These high school students from Chapala, Jalisco, spend the day of November 2 constructing altars dedicated to famous Mexicans.
A catrina on the Day of the Dead in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico.
A woman's portrait is illuminated by candlelight on November 1, 2015, in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.Day of the DeadFlower arrangements and coronas line a tomb in the graveyard in San Antonio Tlayacapan.,Day of the Dead An altar in Chapala, Jalisco, on Noche de Muertos (November 2).Emptied Corona bottles line the rear of an altar on Noche de Muertos 2015 in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico.A girl with catrina face paint exits a house with an altar on the Day of the Dead in Chapala, Jalisco.Day of the Dead
Chapala, Jalisco. Panteón municipal.
Chapala, Jalisco – Panteón Municipal