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El Dia De Los Muertos by Juliette Mills

This image came out of a recent trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, during the Day of the Dead celebrations, and for me, captures so much of the spirit of the children during this special time. These girls proudly put on their hats for me, when I came across them at a graveside, whilst spending the evening in a village cemetery. Hundreds of families gather by candlelight around the graves of those they have lost, once a year, to remember and celebrate all night long with food, music, costume, laughter, offerings to the dead like their favourite drink or smoke perhaps, and so many flowers… the smell of marigolds and incense will forever bring back the people of Oaxaca to me, living the moment of remembrance to the full and sharing it with me. A passion for the dead it may seem. More a passion for life I think.

Bio

Juliette Mills is a British photographer based in Devon, South West of England and has been taking pictures since the age of 12. She graduated from Kings College London with a degree in French & Spanish, where she specialised in South American Culture & Literature.

She has traveled widely and until recently focused on wildlife and travel photography and writing for magazines. She had her first photographic exhibition in London in 2001 – a collection of wildlife portraits and has exhibited since in local galleries in Devon. Having children and photographing her family for the past 5 years has taken her somewhere else with her work, and this, along with a recent experience in Mexico, photographing the Day of the Dead celebrations in Oaxaca, has given her new inspiration and energy to pursue documentary projects.

Juliette Mills

26 thoughts on “juliette mills – day of the dead”

  1. W. Kimbell

    Beautiful image. Not being familiar with the tradition, I´m not so sure what to think about the expression of the girl in the front, but it’s certainly intriguing. I keep looking at her face waiting for a quick smile…..or maybe the opposite. Little Mona Lisa.

  4. peter grant

    Yes Juliette, trying to capture wildlife photographically, I imagine, is even more difficult than the way Hemingway use to do it. And I guess your babies, including your hubby, might well scare them away.
    I’ve had an interest in capturing the spirit and atmosphere within festivals for a decade or so now, and some are easier than others. But regardless, to capture that instant, that moment, where telling elements cross each others path, and are enough to illustrate an essence of that gathering is difficult. I find it very rewarding. Go for it. Well done.

  6. michael kircher

    Juliette,

    In all the hullaballoo with the Athens stuff, it seems this may not be getting the attention it would normally get… for obvious and understandable reasons… But a mild shame anyway, as it is a fine shot! Hope it stays up a few days more so others may see it and comment.

    Cheers.

  9. sam harris

    Juliette

    great shot! i like it very much…

    there is something about it that makes me want to look at it and into it, for a long time.
    a wonderful, slightly surreal quality about it…

    well done!

  11. Colin Cadle

    My God Juliette, that image is very special indeed. I just kept staring at it. It’s the girl with the face painting – such a haunting shot worthy of worldwide exposure. I am proud to know someone who made such a great image – well done – Colin Cadle

  13. eva

    I think the left part of the image is a very important one, without it it would look like Carnival, the cross, graves, candles and flowers puts it in a completely different context..

  14. Juliette Mills

    The day has just dawned here and I’ve just read all your comments. Now i have tears running down my face. Thank you David, and thank you all for taking the time to look and write. Jx

  17. Brennan OConnor

    Juliette,

    I like your photo. It has a dreamy quality to it. I also went to Oaxaca several years ago to photograph the Day of the Dead. The experience changed the way I think about life and death. Since that trip I’ve always wanted to go back. Thanks for reminding me (lol).

  19. Gordon L

    This is a wonderfully charming photograph.

    I love the composition, with the youngest girl centered, flanked by the older girl, sister?, on the right, and the graves and candles on the left. The costumes and make-up add a sense of special occasion, while the serene expressions on both girls invites you in.
    The graves and candles on the left, with the hint of colour and little pools of light complete the beauty of the scene. The pervasive yellowish tint, leaving only the bright red of the flowers to push through is perfect, a result of mercury or sodium vapour lighting I suspect.

    Bravo and congratulations.

  21. emcd

    her netherworld gaze is what really sticks – you know that childhood game where you pretend you are dead? like that, but the living dead, and given the context makes it surreal.

  24. Patricia Lay-Dorsey

    Like something from one of the old illustrated books I loved as a child. There is such a timeless quality to this. And oh my, the look on her face. However did you capture that??? Beautiful work.

    Patricia

  26. Steve M

    Juliette, nice shot – inviting and yet disturbing. The girl in the foreground grabs my attention but it is the gaze of the second girl, looking straight into the lens, with such a curious sense of knowing…. that invites enduring curiosity….. great stuff!

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