Day of the Dead 2011

A great event and a truly family celebration. Dia de los Muertos is an annual tradition throughout Latin America and is a large part of many US homes.  The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. On October 22, 2011, I was able to photograph several people to came to Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

 

 Many people dressed depicting their native heritage.

 Each one is individual and special to the person.

 

 Skulls dress up the various alters;
each one memorialize a loved one.

 

Families of all generations particpate in this celebration.

 

 Red roses and marigolds are part of the celebration.

 

 Some couples dress as brides and grooms.

 

And as in LA, some dress in "Old Hollywood" style.

 

 Other people use old family scarfs and shirts to commemorate the day.

 

 Detailed face make-up is a standard for this celebration.

 

Thousands of families gathered in LA to listen to
music and enjoy the day.
Children of all ages got into the celebration.

 

Hollywood glamor was clearly part of
several outfits of the day.

A few people went with a more Spanish flare,
while others felt the pirate in them come through.

 

Friends also enjoyed dressing up too!

Other people just placed skulls (or Catrinas) 

around their alters.

 Each person's face dressing is as individual as they are.

  

Even the youngest ones got into the celebration.

 A war memorial alter was created by a family who's served in the military for several generations.

 

Dance is large part for several people.

And ... there is no shortage of photo opportunities throughout the grounds.

 Everyone is creative in how they showed off their spirit!