The Situation

Dressing up for Halloween is a big event. A lot of work and preparation goes into the costume after the decision has been made about what to be on this exciting day.

The Problem

I don’t know about your household but in my mine it was pretty hectic when trying to get ready for the big trick-or-treat evening. After I came home from work and the girls came home from school it was a busy time trying to get a bit of supper on for the girls to eat, making sure their costumes were still in tact and make-up was refreshed after having worn all day for the school Halloween activities. I also had a full day of Halloween festivities with my students at school and have to admit I was already a bit tired and now had my game face on to continue to enjoy the Halloween evening with my own daughters.

It was also important to take photographs of this year’s costumes to share with the grandparents and to have a memoir of the costumes each year. But this was just one more thing to squeeze in just as the girls were roaring to get out of the door to get started on their candy collecting. Often the picture was the basic pose of two children smiling obligingly for the camera creating a photograph that was not really of great photographic quality and quite frankly, quite boring.

The Solution

How about a Pre-Halloween Dress Rehearsal and Photo Shoot? Simply organize and plan for a dress rehearsal and photo shoot with your children all dressed up in their Halloween costumes about a week before the big day.  When you think about it, performances such as plays and weddings have dress rehearsals. Why not do the same with your children? This time can also be used to make sure the costume, accessories and make-up are all compiled and ready to go.

This also gives you are lot more time to be creative with your photography and have fun with your children! Here are some ideas that you might want to try….

Natural light is the best light for taking great pictures so head out to your backyard or even to a park with great looking fall foliage to use as the back drop.

Create vignettes that match the costume rather than artificial poses. How about two little princesses having a tea party sitting at little table in the garden? Draw a backdrop of a night sky on black pavement and have the little witches lying down on the ground on their brooms as if they are flying through the sky. Is your little one a lion this year? Have it crouched down roaring at a stuffed cat or a mouse. Is your energetic child dressed as Superman this year? Photograph him on different parts and in different poses on the school playground equipment looking very strong. Lots of children dress like a vampire. I don’t recommend pretending to have your little vampire ram a stake into a teddy bear but he or she could be photographed lying still on their back with their eyes closed in a pile of fall leaves or on a picnic table or peering out from behind a wrought iron gate or a tree trunk. Involve your photo shoot subject with the ideas and you might be surprised with what they come up with.

There are lots of Pins on Pinterest about children holding a chalkboard sign indicating the date of the first day of school but the same ideas would also work for Halloween every year. Kelly over at the blog Cupcakes, Crayon and Cobwebs posted the directions for a delightful Trick-or-Treat sign using a painted canvas that is so easy to make with your children. You could make one each year and just add the new year each time. This sign can be propped somewhere in the background or be held by your little costumed child/children while you take the pictures. Or you could paint the year on a pumpkin and have it propped somewhere in the photograph as a record as to when the photograph was taken.

I also look for inspiration for my photography ideas. I came across two wonderful photography experts who also happen to be bloggers. I so wanted to share their wonderful images with you so I contacted them for permission to post a sampling of their photography on my blog. I am so pleased both consented:

Tonia is a professional photographer in the Greater Toronto, Canada area. Her site is titled Delicate Impressions. Here is a link to one of her posts showcasing some of her photography with children: Halloween, Family… and Running Kids… Keep scrolling down and you will be inspired with some delightful Halloween photo shoot possibilities. This photograph is just a sampling. I love it!

Katie is another professional photographer I discovered who is based out of Colorado. Her blog is titled Katie Evans Photography and she provides lots of great photography advice. You so have to check out her blog Week 2: Kids-5 Ways to Improve Your Child Photography. Isn’t this a delightful vignette and I love the colours!

Traditions are really important to the family unit so you may want to make having a Halloween Dress Rehearsal and Photo Shoot a family activity every year. Choose an afternoon to pack up a picnic lunch, load up the camera and props, dress up the kids in their costumes and head off to that special place to have fun! Not only have you organized a time to take some great photographs, but you have also planned for having a pretty special time with the family in the meantime.

Hope you are inspired! Hope it helps you manage your time a little more on Halloween! Thanks from Thea

Related Reading:

A Traditional Back to School Turkey Supper

Have Fun Making Monster Munch for Halloween

How to Teach Your Children to Be Organized in the Morning