Halloween & Dia de los Muertos

Happy Halloween, Samhain & Dia de los Muertos. All are different cultural celebrations honoring dark season. Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. Growing up, my family was endearingly referred to as the "Addams Family," by our neighbors.

A few months ago I paid a visit to my mom in Virginia. Together, we visited our long time friend, Debbie, who lives in a 300+ year old farmhouse in remote countryside. Debbie is a wise, outspoken, wonderfully witchy woman in her 60s. Now that her kids are grown, she lives alone at what she calls the "Funny Farm."

Debbie gifted me her aunt's dress from the 1940s with the request that I send her a photograph of it from the desert.

Coincidentally, I had been looking for the perfect dress to wear in Moab for a Dia de los Muertos shoot I had been dreaming up. Having lost her oldest son, I knew Debbie would appreciate the theme of honoring loved ones passed on.

So for my last shoot in Moab, I applied some subtle sugar skull makeup, and John and I ventured out at sunset to one of our favorite vistas. He photographed, and I edited.

As I finish editing, more from this set will go up for $5+ tiers. For now, here are some gems I hope you enjoy.

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, but I never observed Dia de los Muertos before. However, this year, honoring our loved ones who have passed on resonates with me, so here is a little tribute.

The black lacy top I am wearing in the first two images belonged to my godmother, Michelle. She was my uncle's sweetheart and the big sister I never had. I cherished her. She gave me that top to wear on Halloween 18 years ago. I shipped my wardrobe back from Moab so I wouldn't have to lug it around. When I was unpacking, this photo of Michelle fell out of the box. I don't know how it got in there in the first place. I took that photo while camping over 20 years ago.

Michelle 9/28/78 - 2/4/05

My very first friend, and my very best friend for 21 years. Jason lived right across the street from my childhood home (my grandparents' home). We spent most of our time together. He was a transcendent poet.

Jason 1/26/91 - 4/2/12

My grandmother, Elizabeth. She taught me how to be graceful and elegant. She dressed me up and took photos of me starting at a very young age. She was my first inspiration into modeling, acting and singing. My grandfather called her a "top of the line" woman. "Best of the best."

Elizabeth 3/1/44 -10/10/16

My favorite man in the whole world.

This was exactly one year ago. It was our last good day outside. We went to church, walked along the waterside dock (our favorite pastime), went home and watched The Godfather and had my homemade meatballs (his fave) and attended the Halloween parade. He got very sick that night and steadily declined. But I am so grateful for this day and these memories.

Eustathios (Stevie) 4/18/34 - 12/12/18