12 Halloween Photography Ideas
October is almost upon us, so it’s time to share some Halloween Photography Ideas!
This mix of fun and spooky Halloween photography ideas will give you some great prompts for photos you can try to capture, image examples you can look at for inspiration, and kickstart some ideas for Halloween photoshoots too!
I know that Halloween will look a little (lot!) different this year due to COVID, but even if there is no trick or treating allowed - which seems highly likely - hopefully we can still dress up, decorate, have Halloween treats etc, so most of the suggestions below should still apply even if you can’t get out and about in the same way.
1. Use Fun Props
The wonderful thing about Halloween photography is that you are spoilt for choice when it comes to props! Witches hats, wands, pumpkins, brooms, fake headstones….need I go on?
Simply adding in a few of these props can elevate your standard Halloween snapshot and make it look a lot more interesting!
2. Capture the Costumes
Of course, it wouldn’t be Halloween without costumes, so be sure to capture the family all dressed up. Depending on where you are in the world, it may already be dark by the time you go trick or treating, in which have a dress rehearsal during the day so that you can capture the costumes. You also don’t to be the one holding everyone back so you can get the perfect shot, when all THEY want to do is get out there and get candy :)
And a little tip - if the costume has a mask, have them wear it. That way even if they look grumpy or one has their eyes half closed, you’ll never be able to tell….
3. Embody The Character
A way to lift the standard costume shot up to the next level is to get the subject to embody the character…if they are meant to be scary and menacing, then have them make a scary face. If they are a princess, have them act out casting a spell with their wand!
Children love to dress up AND play the part, so this will not only help them not get so bored whilst getting their Halloween Photo taken, but it will also give you image a stronger overall look.
4. Capture a Silhouette
Props and costumes aside, there is a wealth of other Halloween photography ideas! Silhouettes can be a wonderful way to make even the most mundane elements appear a bit spookier!
By exposing for the background, you will plunge your subject into darkness, leaving the viewer to only “see” the object by its outline. For that reason, be careful not to have your subject “merge” with other elements in the frame so that the silhouette remains intact.
Not sure how you get a silhouette? Then go over here and read (or watch!) this step by step guide to silhouette photography.
5. Consider Black & White
Converting images from colour to black and white can help even the most mundane of scenes look a little scarier (which, let’s face it, is fun for Halloween photos!).
So try turning your “everyday” images into black and white you can instantly turn them into something a little spookier! Think situations like getting your kids into their costumes, carving out the pumpkin, or out trick or treating.
(Not sure how to convert to Black & White? Then go here to ready my step by step tutorial about converting to black and white in Lightroom)
6. Alternatively, Use Colour!
Halloween is a holiday of colour - Black and Orange being the dominant ones that I can think of, but other fall colours such as yellow and red can work equally as well.
Just incorporating these colours into your photos can make the scene scream “Halloween”!
7. Choose a great location
Choosing a great location can have a big impact on how your final image will turn out. Finding a spooky location, like a building that’s fallen into disrepair, a dark forest, or street at night can all add to the feeling of Halloween. You can also match the location to the costume if that’s what you’re photographing, as that can add a dramatic effect to your costume photos!
Even if you can’t find the “perfect” location, using light (and Photoshop!) effectively can create a spooky location just about anywhere :)
8. Capture The Details
My favourite thing to photograph at Halloween isn’t the costumes, or even the kids, it’s actually all the little details that are around us at that time - think candy, food, drinks and decorations.
There is SO many items of interest to photograph at this time that I’m constantly snapping photos, and I suggest doing the same!
9. Find the Best Light
Light is ALWAYS the most important element in any photograph, and Halloween photos is no exception! In fact, light can take your photo one step further by helping you convey a mood or feeling.
And this is one time of year when low light can be a blessing, so don’t necessarily seek out the brightest part of the house! Also don’t be afraid to bump up the ISO, especially since a little noise and grain can actually ADD to those spooky Halloween photos!
If you want to keep it more fun and playful, then why not set up a shoot outdoors? Find a nice open space, thrown in some pumpkins and some props and you have yourself a little photoshoot set up!
10. The Jack O Lantern!
No Halloween photography ideas list would be complete without the obligatory Jack O Lantern photo. Capturing one at night, where the only light is coming from the candle is of course standard, but why not also capture the carving of the pumpkin. Some of my favourite Halloween photos were taken during this tradition!
11. Use Motion Blur Creatively
If you want to get a little more creative with your Halloween photos, then a great way to give a really spooky feel to an image is to incorporate motion blur, like in the image below. Simply having your subject walk through the scene whilst shooting with a really slow shutter speed will give them a “ghost like” appearance. (If you want a guide on using motion blur generally, give this a read “How to Photograph Movement with Motion Blur”)
12. Find Pockets of Light
One thing many people complain of when photographing Halloween itself is having to take photos in low light situations. Depending on your part of the world, it could even be pitch black outside when you go trick or treating, which I agree makes taking photos REALLY challenging.
The good news is there is still SOME light to work within the form of street lights, so if you can see seek out a pocket of light like this, then not only will you capture your subject, it will have a wonderfully spooky feel.
Again, making sure you are using spot metering AND shooting in manual mode is pretty much a must - it just won’t turn out right if you are using any of the semi automatic modes (well, you technically it could, but it’s a lot more challenging than just shooting in manual mode!)
Some examples of pocket of light would be open doors, under a street light, headlamps, in the beam of a torch, in the light emitted by candles or a jack o lantern - anything that has light and where you can put your subject within it the “pool” of light it creates.
There we have it! 12 Halloween Photography Ideas that will hopefully inspire you to get your camera out, capture the season, try something new, and inspired a few fun Halloween photoshoot ideas too!
