Here are some photos from a recent shoot with Blanche MacDonald student makeup artist Hannah Journey. The beautiful makeup was inspired by the sugar skull imagery from the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos. Thanks also to Carole Méthot, who is also a makeup artist, for the awesome modeling work!
Model: Chloe Gerak
Makeup: Jennifer Ruth
Hair: Katie-Rose Petley
Stylist: Jihan Amer
Soundtrack: Gothic by zero-project
This is the third in a series of sugar skull inspired collaborations that I have done with Jennifer Ruth, and several different models, hairstylists and fashion stylists. The previous shoots were Winter Muertos – In the Darkness of Winter and Primavera de Muertos, each following a seasonal theme. I also collaborated with Catriona Armour and Kyla Lee for my first sugar skull photoshoot last year. The images for all these shoots were inspired by the beautiful artwork of Sylvia Ji and the very cool work of 666photography.
The Día de los Muertos sugar skull shoots have resulted some of my post popular photos. I’ve been fortunate to work with very talented teams – the models, makeup, hair and fashion styling have been amazing! I love the photos and proud to have them in my portfolio.
I will be doing at least one more for the autumn season, and probably some others in the future because they have so many creative possibilities! Click on the image below to see more photos from the Summer Sugar Skull shoot.
Credits
Model: Tia Guzzo
Makeup: Jennifer Ruth
Hair: Hair Styling: Rhi Yee
Fashion stylist: Jihan Amer
Set decorator: Guen Gianfranchi
Photography: Lloyd K. Barnes
Music: Nanten
This shoot was based on the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), but with a Spring blossom twist. The makeup was inspired by calaveras de azúcar (sugar skulls) that are given as offerings to the dead on November 1, and by the work of 666 Photography and the art of Sylvia Ji.
The Day of the Dead festival originated with the ancient Aztecs and was dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, the queen of Mictlan, the Aztec underworld who keeps watch over the bones of the dead. Her husband is Mictlantecuhtli, was the Aztec god of the dead, Lord of Mictlan. The celebration continues today in Mexico and parts of the United States.
Mictlantecuhtli - Aztec God of the Dead
This is the second Dia de los Muertos shoot in a series. The first was In the Darkenss of Winter and the next two are in planning stages.
Do you have some favourite Day of the Dead images or makeup? Share the links in the comments section below!
Here’s a short behind-the-scenes video of model Tia getting her sugar skull makeup done by Jenny and hair styled by Rhi to get ready for a photoshoot. The video also includes also a couple of clips with model Joshua with his skull makeup already done and getting some final styling touches by stylist Jihan Amer.
The theme of the shoot was based on the Dia do los Muertos (Day of the Dead) holiday in Mexico, but with a seasonal spring blossom twist. I’ll be posting more information about this shoot soon, so keep an eye on my blog.
Here’s a preview of one of the photos from this shoot:
Tia with Spring Muertos Sugar Skull Makeup
Credits:
Model: Charity
Makeup: Jenny Ruth
Hair: Candice Styles and Dani Barnes
Styling: Dani Barnes
Soundtrack: “Gone With the Storm” by One Dice
I love the art of Sylvia Ji and was inspired by her Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) paintings. We had an amazing team for this shoot – everything came together to create some very cool images. The overall theme was “death” but I wanted to combine Winter – which is symbolically associated with death – with Day of the Dead, sugar skull inspired imagery. Jenny did a fantastic job with the makeup, and Dani and Candice were awesome with the hair styling. Dani’s styling was perfect and Charity was beautiful and inspired 
I chose “Gone With the Storm” by One Dice as the music to accompany the video slideshow, which fits perfectly with haunting vocals and strings and cold, icy piano!
Click here to see the gallery of images from the shoot. I hope you enjoy them!
Here’s the video on YouTube for iPod, iPhone and iPad users:
