Halloween is such a special time for our little ones. We spend so much time, effort and sometimes money planning out the perfect costumes and making sure there are several places to show them off. It is natural that we also want to take photos of our kids in their outfits too! The problem is that we aren’t always happy with the results. I’d love to share some tips with you on how to make this process easier and hope that you all get some exceptional Halloween images of your kids this Halloween!
How to Take Exceptional Halloween Images
Get your subject out of the sun!
The best way to ruin a photo is to take it when the subject is in the full sun. I find that for trick-or-treating especially, bringing them under a porch provides excellent lighting. Have them look out towards the light but have their body under the porch roof. If there is no overhang on the house or garage where you are, try to get them in the shade if possible. If you take the photos indoors, have them near a window and facing the light.
Capture the details!
Make sure your focus doesn’t just lie on getting a perfect smiling photo of your children in their costume. Get some shots of their hands reaching for the candy, the cute hat on their head other costume details, them reaching out with their buckets/bags, their hand pushing the doorbells, etc.. You do not have to have a face in every photo. Think about what details you can capture in the process!
Get Your Children in Action!
At this point, I’m sure many of you are thinking, “But then it will be blurry!” That is not the case if you plan ahead. First of all, do NOT use a camera phone for this one. You can use your point and shoot, but make sure you are using a fast shutter speed to take your Halloween images. If you do not know how to do that, you can look at your settings and find the “running man” symbol. This mode is for sports and fast action. Go ahead and capture your child running to the door to trick or treat, spinning around in the fallen leaves, throwing their candy up in the air and whatever else they are having fun with that day!
Try to spend the day, avoiding the usual phrases, “Smile for the camera,” or “Say Cheese,” and you will be surprised at your photos at the end of the day! You and your children will have more fun, and the photos will prove it! We know you are looking forward to the Halloween and hope that our tips will help you take amazing Halloween images.
MORE HALLOWEEN IDEAS:
Water Themed Homemade Halloween Costumes
Easy Halloween Treat Ideas for Busy Moms and Kids
These are some great tips! I especially like that these tips do not focus on having a pricey camera!
Great tips! I love the idea of getting pictures of the little things – little ones fingers ringing doorbells, treat bags, etc. I find myself staring at these detail pictures years later. Plus, they make great photos for the scrapbook!
Great Tips. I never thought to take pictures of the hands reaching for the candy.
great tips! Esp since my kids are getting older, I only have so much time to catch these times!
Nice tips. Natural sunlight is definitely the best tip ever. It works best for food, children and activities. I like to do a dress rehearsal for Halloween and go outside mid morning for photos in the grass. We go over etiquette for trick-or-treating and I snaps some pics without all the excess stress and excitement of the big day. 🙂
Can’t wait to see your pics.
Great tips! I always say capture the candid moments because that’s where you get the “real” smiles and the joy out of the little ones.
Thanks for the tips. I usually never get good Halloween photos, mostly because I’m still learning how to take good pictures when there isn’t a lot of light. Thanks again.
Those are some great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Great tips! I never use the word CHEESE with my kids, it automatically makes for a fake smile.
Cute pics too 🙂 Good luck to all the locals!
Thanks for the tips. I really look back and I need to start taking better pictures, mostly on this type of events.
Thanks for the tips. I usually either forget my camera or forget to take photos LOL.
Looks like so much fun. Thanks for the tips. I love your ideas.