San Miguel De Allende, Mexico

Join us in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico for the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival. This two day holiday reunites the living and dead and according to every local, this is the best time to visit. It is a celebratory not somber time.

Families create ofrendas (offerings) to honor their departed family members that have passed and San Miguel de Allende is a blaze of vibrant colors and festivals. The altars are ubiquitous and are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of those being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead. Many believe that as the departed souls hear their prayers and smell their foods, they will return for the night and join in the celebrations.

The calaveras (skulls) are everywhere during Day of the Dead and are often drawn with a smile as to laugh at or mock death.

Photography Workshop

DATES | 7 DAYS: Oct 29 - Nov 4, 2024 SOLD OUT! Waitlist Available

Oct 29 - Nov 4, 2025 JUST ANNOUNCED!
PRICE: Price for 2024:

Participant Fee $6245

Companion fee $2895 (staying in the same room)

Price for 2025:

Participant Fee $6445

Companion fee $2995 (staying in the same room)
WHAT'S INCLUDED?: 6 Nights at the Hotel Concepción - We rented the entire hotel!

On location classes, demos, and assistance in the field

5 Classes/edit & critique sessions

All breakfasts

2 Dinners

All local transportation

Round trip airport transfers

Travel, landscape, architecture, festival, and people photography
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?: Round trip airfare to and from Mexico

Excursions for Companions (though we will happily help with suggestions and arrangements)

Additional nights before or after the start and finish of the Workshop

Travel Insurance

Some meals
OUR LOCATIONS: The Altars of San Miguel De Allende

The Jardin

The Catrinas and Catrines of the Festival La Calaca, or Skull Festival.

The Catrina Parade

The Cemeteries
OUR HOTEL: We will be staying in the heart of the city, 3 blocks from the Jardin at the brand new Hotel Concepción, a beautiful boutique hotel. We have rented out the entire hotel for the week and will have exclusive access.
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP RIGHT FOR?: Amateur, enthusiast, and semi-pro photographers looking to build their portfolio

Photographers who love travel and learning about other cultures

DSLR, mirrorless, compact camera users
TRAVEL INSURANCE: We strongly suggest you purchase travel insurance for your trip. Aside from medical care, travel insurance can protect you in the case of lost or stolen luggage, equipment, and personal effects, trip cancellation, personal liability, funeral expenses (we don't mean to sound morbid, but dying overseas can be very, very expensive), emergency dental treatment and evacuation back to your country of residence. All that being said, please read the policy carefully (especially the exclusions) to make sure that it covers what you will need, especially trip cancellation.
HOW DO I REGISTER?: We provide personalized service and you can sign up for a workshop by emailing us directly at liza@lizapoliti.com

The Team

About Ari Espay

Award-winning photographer, Ari Espay, has shot documentary pieces, campaigns and editorial essays for magazines in the US and all over South America including; Architectural Digest, Vogue Latin America, Que Pasa, and ED. He has worked for Maybelline, Gillette, Corpbanca and Ferouch and has shot portraits for Presidents, internationally known actors, Emmy Award winning directors, Broadway performers, politicians and high profile business people. Ari has won Chile’s prestigious Fondart Grant, was a finalist in National Geographic’s Photo Competition, “Luces de America” and in 2018, 2021, 2022 he was a ‘CHOSEN Winner’ in Latin American AI-AP. He has received an Honorable Mention in IPA's Deeper Perspective Category in 2023 for his series, "Butterfly Children".

More about Ari

About Joe McNally

Joe McNally is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning photographer whose prolific career includes assignments in 70 countries. McNally won the first Alfred Eisenstaedt Award for Journalistic Impact for a LIFE coverage titled, “The Panorama of War.” He has been honored numerous times by Communication Arts, PDN, Graphis, American Photo, POY, and The World Press Photo Foundation. A contributor to National Geographic magazine for more than two decades, Joe has published numerous cover stories, including "The Future of Flying" (December 2003). His assignments have taken him from the heart of India's Diwali celebrations to the deserts of the Middle East to China's Great Wall. He regularly writes a popular, occasionally irreverent blog (joemcnally.com/blog) about the travails, tribulations, oddities and high moments of being a photographer. On social media: @joemcnallyphoto.

More about Joe

Additional Info

WEATHER | SUNRISE/SUNSET: October – Temps 76/54 F

Sunrise 6:30am | Sunset 6:00pm
TRAVEL INFORMATION: Airport: Leon/Guanajuato (BJX)

Airport transfer to San Miguel De Allende is about 90 minutes.

Airport: Queretaro (QRO)

Airport transfer to San Miguel De Allende is about 90 minutes.
FUN FACTS: In 2008 San Miguel de Allende was declared a World Heritage Site due to its historical, cultural and architectural importance. While it was established in the 16th century, many of its most impressive religious and civic buildings were built in the style of the Mexican Baroque in the 18th century.

The Day of the Dead is Mexico’s biggest religious holiday, with big public events like parades and gatherings at cemeteries (complete with mariachi bands) as well as more intimate celebrations that take place inside individual homes. Day of the Dead is meant as a celebration of life. Family members get together to tell funny stories about deceased relatives and remember how they lived, not feel sorry for them.

The Catrina look is a satire of a rich society woman, meant to remind us that even the wealthy can't escape death.