A Proposal at the Burning of Zozobra: Love Ignites in Santa Fe

When it comes to unforgettable proposals, few backdrops compare to the Burning of Zozobra in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The annual event, held each Friday before Labor Day Weekend, draws tens of thousands of spectators and has become one of the state’s most iconic celebrations. Known simply as “Old Man Gloom,” Zozobra is more than just a towering marionette set ablaze each year; he is a century-old symbol of renewal, resilience, and the community’s power to conquer negativity.

The History of Zozobra: From Art Experiment to Cultural Phenomenon

The legend of Zozobra began in 1924 with artist Will “Shus” Shuster, who relocated from his native Pennsylvania to Santa Fe following WWI and became a cornerstone of the city’s flourishing artistic community as a member of Los Cinco Pintores (the five painters).

Inspired by his artistic circle and traditions he had witnessed in Mexico, where effigies of Judas were burned during Good Friday celebrations, Shuster created a giant marionette meant to embody the community’s collective worries, anxieties, and “gloom.” Searching for the perfect name, he found “Zozobra” in a Spanish-English dictionary, meaning “anxiety,” “gloom,” or even “shipwreck.” It was a perfect fit, and Old Man Gloom was born.

What began as a small community ritual soon grew into a cultural cornerstone. At the end of every summer, Zozobra is paraded before the crowd, ridiculed, and ultimately burned in a spectacular ceremony filled with fireworks, music, and pageantry. Attendees are invited to write down their troubles and deposit them in “gloom boxes.” These written burdens are stuffed into Zozobra before the Fire Spirit appears, setting his hair aflame and igniting the towering figure in a dramatic cascade of sparks and fire.

Over the decades, the Burning of Zozobra has evolved into a massive event that attracts more than 50,000 spectators in person and hundreds of thousands more online. Organized by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, the celebration not only symbolizes a fresh start for the community but also raises funds for local nonprofits and children’s charities. Today, it’s one of the most unique and cathartic cultural traditions in the world: a vivid blend of art, history, and fiery spectacle!

Experiencing Zozobra Firsthand

For those who have never attended, imagine the atmosphere: the desert sky glowing with anticipation as the crowd counts down to the burning chanting, “Burn Him!” Vendors and food trucks line the streets selling tasy treats and souvenirs. Families, locals, and visitors from across the globe gather, their collective energy buzzing in the warm night air. Music builds. The Fire Spirit dances. Zozobra groans, growls, and resists his fate before the inevitable: Laser beam through the smoke-filled air, hundreds of drones ascend to the sky, flames consume him, fireworks burst overhead, and the crowd erupts in cheers as Old Man Gloom collapses into ashes, taking a year’s worth of worries with him.

It is both haunting and magical, a tradition that captures the essence of New Mexico’s deep cultural soul.

Love Ignites: Rachel & Brian’s Unforgettable Proposal

Against this extraordinary backdrop, Rachel and Brian, a couple who traveled from Clovis, New Mexico, chose to begin their forever together. With the help of careful planning, we orchestrated what became the most grandiose proposal I’ve ever had the honor of photographing.

Brian and I conceived a plan to convince Rachel that he had won a contest to take their photo on stage in front of Zozobra. I met Brian early in the afternoon and secretly took his engagement ring and ring box so he wouldn’t accidentally set off any metal detectors upon entering the event. I met the couple again later that evening inside the event, presented them with their backstory and backstage credentials, and led them on stage before 50,000 cheering attendees.

Before posing for a quick picture in front of Zozobra, Brian dropped to one knee, and asked Rachel to marry him. The crowd around them gasped and applauded, swept up in the joy of the moment. It was as if Old Man Gloom himself had been banished by their love!

Capturing this moment through my lens was surreal; a love story unfolding amidst one of New Mexico’s most dramatic traditions.

For Rachel and Brian, their engagement will forever be tied to this once-in-a-lifetime experience, a memory as bright and enduring as the flames that lit up the Santa Fe sky.

Why a Proposal at Zozobra is Unlike Any Other

While proposals can happen anywhere, there’s something transformative about pairing this intimate milestone with such a powerful communal ritual. The Burning of Zozobra symbolizes renewal and release, making it the ultimate metaphor for stepping into a new chapter of life together.

In Brian’s words,…

“Rachel and I met in 2018 and started dating in 2019. We met at a university campus church at Purdue (West Lafayette, Indiana) when we were both Seniors.

Unfortunately, due to my career, I had to move around consistently, and we’ve been doing long distance for the past 6 years.

Doing long distance for six years hasn’t been easy, and the last three — with Rachel in law school and me chasing my career — have tested us more than ever.

We’ve had our share of rough patches, but we always found our way back to each other.

When Jason mentioned Zozobra, it felt like the perfect way to reflect on the struggles we’ve faced and celebrate the fact that, through it all, we came out stronger together.”

For couples looking for a unique destination proposal, Santa Fe offers culture, romance, and unforgettable backdrops, from the historic Santa Fe Plaza to the high desert mountains. But nothing compares to standing before Old Man Gloom as he falls, knowing your love story is just beginning.

Their Embers Continued to Smolder the Next Day

The morning after their incredible proposal, I met Rachel and Brian once again, this time for a more intimate engagement session along Santa Fe’s famed Canyon Road. Known as the heartbeat of Santa Fe’s art scene, Canyon Road boasts the highest density of galleries in the United States, with more than 100 tucked into a charming half-mile stretch. Once a residential street lined with private adobe homes, today its tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly path is alive with creativity, showcasing everything from contemporary and abstract works to Western and Native American art. Photographing Rachel and Brian here was the perfect contrast to the grandeur of the night before: a quiet, romantic stroll through a world-class art district, surrounded by history, culture, and the timeless beauty of Santa Fe.

Photographer – Jason Kaczorowski | Jason Kaczorowski Photography
Videographer – Vladimir Chaloupka | Vlad Films
Event – Burning of Zozobra
Event Chair – Raymond G. Sandoval
Event Deputy – Judith Moir
Master of Ceremonies – Kenn Garley
Audio Visual – Lucas Zoltai
Pyro – Bill Loshbough
Fire Spirit – Helene Luna
Sponsor – Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe
Drones – Sky Elements
Firework – Burnett Family Fireworks Company
LED Wristbands – CrowdSync Technology
Performances – Lumpy, EZ Band, Mariachi Euforia
National Anthem – Toni Morgan