Halloween is a favorite time of year for many kids, and as a parents there is nothing we want more then to be able to capture the exciting night. However, between the dark lighting, the frenzy of energy, and the multitude of distractions, many parents are disappointed that such a special night doesn’t always translate into great family photography. To help you take great photos of your kids on Halloween, I’ve put together a list of photography tips and tricks.
- Have a plan. Browse Pinterest for inspiration and consider the photos you’d like to snap. Remember the best photos are natural ones that show your kids genuinely having fun and interacting like they typically would when a camera wasn’t in sight.
- Plan a dress rehearsal. Not many kids get excited about taking photos if it means delaying candy or having to step away from playing with friends. However, every kid is itching to get dressed up in his or her costume prior to the big day. Instead of relying on photos from Halloween evening, plan a photoshoot the weekend before to ensure everyone is simply excited to get dressed up and show off their outfit to the camera.
- Pay attention to your setting. Instead of shooting inside and catching the corners of furniture or art covered walls (which can be distracting), move the party outside. Try and find a clean surface, like a tree line, fence, or textured wall where you can keep the background simple, and leave the focus on your kid’s costumes and excited faces.
- Aim for daylight. Good quality light is the secret to good photos, one of the reasons Halloween photography can be tricky. Plan to capture your kids in their costumes in the late afternoon, before the sun gets too low.
- Turn off the flash. If you end up taking photos in the evening, try to avoid taking shots with your flash. Instead use natural light from street lights, house lights, or lanterns as much as possible.
- Mix up the angles. Instead of shooting straight on, try different views of your kids. Get up close to capture details, stand a few feet back to get perspective, or stand next to them and take a photo looking down.
What are you tricks for getting good Halloween photos? How does your family capture good Halloween shots? Let me know below in the comments!