Halloween is only a few days away, that means kids are trying on costumes, parents are stocking up on candy, pumpkins are being carved and the final touches on yard decorations are taking place.
You put a lot of time and effort into conjuring up the perfect Halloween for your family and kids. It would be a shame if you put all of this energy into the holiday and then have no photographs of the day to remember it by.
Every October I pull out photographs of Halloweens past and put them in little 5×7 frames around the house as part of my fall decor. Eryn has fun looking back and remembering her costumes and talking about her different trick or treating adventures and parties she has been to. I can’t wait to share this same tradition with James!
Here is the funny thing though about Halloween. It is a holiday that happens at night! That can make the photography a bit “tricky”. Here are some tips to make sure your Halloween photographs don’t end up a hot spooky mess.
TIP #1 GO OUTSIDE BEFORE DARK
This is the most important tip I can give. Even if you aren’t out trick or treating yet, it’s great to get the kids out in natural light to capture some fun images of them in their costume that isn’t all blinding flash photography. Make it extra special and photograph the kids with your outdoor Halloween décor.
TIP #2 GET CLOSEUPS AND FULL LENGTHS
You spent a lot of time researching and getting all the accessories for that costume – make sure you capture the entire ensemble with a full body shot! Whether the costume is homemade or purchased, it’s great to look back and see the details of the costume and of your little one. The close-up is great to freeze this moment in time to see their age and their unique different faces they make right now. Even if they are wearing a mask, I still recommend you do the close-up photo.
TIP #3 DON’T FORGET THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS & FRIENDS
You probably Trick or Treat with neighbors, other friends, and/or family…make sure you capture that too! It’s fun to look back to see how much everyone has grown and their past costumes.
TIP #4 CANDID PHOTOS
Make sure you capture those candid “non-posed” moments. Photograph your children walking down the street, going up to a door to get candy, handing out candy at home to other kids, digging through their stash…some of the best photos come from these candid, random moments!
TIP #5 GET IN THE PICTURES
Even if you aren’t dressing in costume, still get in a couple of photos with your kiddos. When they are adults and look back on memories of their childhood, they want to see you WITH them, not just themselves in a costume next to a pumpkin. Get some individual shots, some sibling shots, some just mommy & the kids, dad & the kids, and one whole family shot…you will be happy you did (even if you are a sweaty mess from running around trying to get everyone else ready!) Be present…live in the moment…and be a part of your moment.
BONUS TIP – GET SOME GLOWING PHOTOS IN THE DARK
While photographs of people in the dark are difficult and often ruined with poor use of camera flash, photographs of decorations and neighborhood pumpkins make an amazing addition to your Halloween story. Be sure to turn off the camera flash and photograph these glowing decorations once it gets dark!
I hope these tips help you to to tell a better story on this spooky Halloween. Remember, all of the moments are ones worth remembering. Even if this is the Halloween one of your kids hates being a monkey!
Hugs!
Jeanine
Jeanine McLeod is the owner of Cloud 9 Studios, a Florida based photography studio located just north of Tampa in Wesley Chapel. She is also the author of Don’t Blink: Capturing Your Child’s Story Through Portraits