Halloween Photography Tips + Tricks

How To Photograph The Fun Of Halloween

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays to photograph, because there is so much excitement and fun. From the pumpkin carving photos, to the costumes, trick or treating and party’s…there is a never ending array of colorful and fun photo opportunities.

But, all of that excitement can sometimes lead to kids who don’t really want to participate or pause for a photo! That’s when you get a photo like this:

Now…I think that they are still super cute here, and actually I forgot my youngest even dressed up like Moana once…but you can sense that there is something else that they would rather be doing. So, how can you still create awesome halloween photos when your kids are busy and distracted?

How Can You Create The Halloween Portrait You Dream Of

Take Photos Before Halloween

One of my favorite ways to capture my kids halloween portraits is photographing them not on Halloween, but when they are in full costume for another event like a trick or treat or friends party. In this instance they will be in full costume, but will feel a bit more relaxed and have time to create portraits.

Consider A Photo Adventure To Match The Costume Theme

I will admit that my daughters have started to love their Halloween photo sessions more and more each year. So, when they were Carmen SanDiego and Spider Gwen, they were super motivated to go out on a photo adventure that matched the theme of their costumes. We actually did this on Halloween morning, knowing that the light was in our favor, and that we were not in any rush to get to a part or trick or treating event. They had equal creative input on great locations, and what their ‘character’ would do, or how they would pose.

Have A Daytime Date With Friends

Another fun way to get dressed up but not feel the ‘trick or treating’ pressure is to meet friends for a Halloween Daytime get-together to hang out, explore a local neighborhood’s Halloween event. Then you’ll have the opportunity to photograph your friends also on Halloween for additional portraits.

Consider The Personality Of The Character

A few years ago my daughter was this red angel devil character (I’m not sure where this idea came from honestly) and we had a lot of fun with her trying to match the personality of the costume for her photos…honestly she was so serious it made her seem so much oder than 9…so I didn’t love all of them, but you can really see the difference between the serious portrait, and the smiley portrait with the pumpkin.

Don’t Forget The Jack-o-Lanterns

It can be a challenge to photograph your carved pumpkins and your kids particularly in low light, but one favorite way that I’ve done this is by having one of my kids (or they can all do this at the same time) look through the top of the pumpkin when it is lit. This can create a fun low light image showing their carving and the mood of the lit pumpkins. (Tip: This works better with your child looking on from the side so that you are lighting their profile rather than from the back of the pumpkin which can be their natural instinct to position themselves behind the pumpkin.)

Twinning With Friends

Themed costumes are always so fun, and last year my daughter and her close friend chose to wear matching costumes. I was able to create this portrait of them together during the day at an event, but the dark foliage background helped to create the mood for a sorcerer’s halloween portrait.

The same day I photographed my daughter with a fun smiling halloween portrait, as well as a full length in character portrait. I love how the two portraits work together to highlight her costume and her personality as well.

Don’t Forget Action Trick Or Treating Photos

Before it is too dark outside, it can be a really fun way to capture the adventures of Halloween in your neighborhood by photographing your children approaching a house to trick or treat. This can be accentuated by selecting a house with fun decorations and interesting lighting. It can also be fun to take a close up of their candy, or have them show you their trick or treat bucked when they’re so happy and leaving a house.

Do you have favorite tips for photographing Halloween?
I’d love to hear in the comments.