Faces of Burning Man 2012

Loren and Gelareh, a couple from San Francisco.

Ixchel, a Burner from Santa Fe, performs an early-morning ritual at the Temple of Juno.

A Burner plays with fire outside of the Temple of Juno as the sun rises.

Is it performance art, a solemn early-morning ritual or some combination of the two?

Scott and the Sauce, a couple calling themselves "Flying Molecules," created outfits with wings made from scrap metal.

Pita, a costume designer from Reno, wore a creepy skull-and-bones outfit at Burning Man 2012.

Coley, a Burner from Venice, California, in a cockroach-embellished white suit.

Karen and Merv, two Burners from Riverside, California, wearing elaborate Victorian outfits at Center Camp.

Sofiah, a Costa-Rica-based fire dancer, performs at sunrise on the final day of Burning Man 2012.

Ildiko, an artist and dancer from Northern California, dances on an art car in a feather embodiment.

A sweet pair of Burners from France in color-coordinated outfits.