My dad died recently, and everything has been complicated and hard for me to fully understand. The whole experience feels very surreal. I wanted—needed—to gather all of my thoughts and feelings and make something out of it to help me process the situation a little better. This series of photographs was inspired by Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a very important Mexican holiday that takes place on the first two days of November. It is customary to visit the graves of our departed loved ones and make altars and decorate them with flowers, candles, and fake candy skeletons. It’s a way of celebrating life by celebrating death, bringing us closer to our memories and to one another, and forcing us to abandon our fear of death and to embrace the little time we have on earth. I grieve for my dad, and even though he’s not around anymore, I know he is with me every time I think of him.
Thanks to Kenia Filippini for modeling, Zaid Díaz for styling, and María Rangel for modeling, styling, and art directing. Special thanks also to Miaus and Manolin.María Fernanda Molins lives in Mexico, where she does lots of things, but mostly takes pictures.
45 Comments
these are gorgeous photos.
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing! My favorite is #15.
I agree. I love them all but #15 is just WOW.
One of the best things I have ever seen. Incredibly beautiful!
PS: I am so sorry for you dad’s dead :(
These are so gorgeous!
My mom (a part-time art teacher) and my friend’s mom Lorena, who is from Mexico, spend the first two days of November teaching about Día de los Muertos and Frida Kahlo at my old elementary school, and all the kids decorate sugar skulls, cut out paper flags and eat pan de muertos while learning about it.
It’s one of my favorite holidays. We always light candles and set out those orange-slice candies for my Granddad.
beautiful photos. There is this beautiful light over them. the ninth one is really, really good.
thank you so much for sharing!
WOW. this is absolutely beautiful! one of my favourite rookie shoots… it touches my heart xoxo
These are so moving and beautiful. Some of my favorite photos I’ve seen on Rookie FOR SURE.
this is magnificent. thank you so much for submitting, maria.
These are really marvelous, María!
I live in the Southwest U.S., close to the border and am surrounded by a lot of this type of beautiful imagery and meaning.
Thank you!
absolutely gorgeous. lots of love to you <3 losing a parent is very hard and this is a beautiful way to honour your dad.
wow. This is my favorite rookie shoot so far this school year! You are very talented, Maria. Keep it up!
This is so beautiful. Hugs.
They’re beautiful!
I moved to England from Mexico almost four years ago, and making an altar is one of the traditions we continue most strongly. I miss the markets around the day of the dead, with cempasuchil, garra de tigre and tissue paper with skeletons doing all sorts of activities. And the sugar skulls, they are sorely missed too, even though I think I am healthier for it.
So gorgeous
I love the girl with the short hair! She is beautiful!
BEAUTIFUL
Absolutely incredible. I think it is from now one of my favourite photo albums on Rookie.
wow, these are lovely.
this is just gorgeous
These photo’s are incredible, so beautiful. I think number 10 is my favourite xx
#2 and 5
ugh so beautiful
This album touches my heart. It is absolutely stunning.
This really describes how I felt after losing a close family member. Everything was so foggy and dreamlike.
this is just such an amazing set!!! I love it! <3
These are so beautiful! I love #9! The photos are so dreamy and I love the fogginess of them! I like how you made the first one into a collage!
wow wow wow, these are incredibly beautiful. So amazing. Wow. And such a beautiful story.
5 and 9 are my absolute faves. This entire album is so beautiful and makes me really miss taking photos like this.
These pictures are so beautiful. I’m so sorry for your loss.
My dad just passed away earlier this month. There are no words for how thankful I am that this was on Rookie. Bless you guys.
This is amazing amazing amazing and it feels true and dreamlike at the same time and I don’t even know. Thank you for these pictures, Maria! And I’m sorry for your loss.
this photo album is really beautiful and honest, thank you so much, may your dad rest in peace
How beautiful this is.
Thank you for sharing.
This is incredible. When I was very young, I had my younger brother pass away, and then my house burned down, and then my grandmother (who we were all very, very close to) passed away. My life has always been filled with a lot of loss, and this was so beautiful and emotional… the fact our loved are always with us, and the sentiment, and just everything about it. It brought me to tears thinking about it all. Thank you so much for posting this, and I’m so sorry about for your loss <3
Not only are these pictures very emotional for me, but they are also some of the prettiest things I have ever seen <3 Definitely one of my favorite Rookie shoots ever <3
These are some of the most beautiful photos I’ve ever seen. They really did touch my heart and I know I will be looking at them a lot. Gorgeous job!
these photos are amazing! i appreciate the idea :)
These pictures are so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your grief. Sorry for your loss & I hope you feel better <3
so wonderful
I as someone who follows “Día de los Muertos” the vibe was captured. The photos are beautiful but most importantly I defiantly felt the emotion. Good luck with everything..
Loved all the pictures, but #14 and #15 are awesome! Luck for you girl! Be strong!!
I love all the clothes, and the photos are amazing, especially the third and last one! Well done!
These are extremely beautiful! Thank you, Maria.
Wow, I am sorry for your loss, you make such beautiful art.
ThankYou❤ThankYou❤ThankYou❤ThankYou❤ThankYou❤ThankYou❤ThankYou❤ThankYou❤ThankYou❤ThankYou❤ThankYou❤ThankYou❤
Every picture here is breathtaking. I was particularly stunned by #15. All I can say is WOW.
My heart goes out to you and your family. ♥