5 Tips for Capturing Better ~ Not Creepier ~ Halloween Photos

Don’t let the idea of photographing your little monsters scare you into hiding!  Use these 5 Tips for to help you Capture Better ~ Not Creepier ~ Halloween Photos!

Spooky Toddler Skeleton, Marshmello Head and Cool Scarecrow! Some serious Halloween Fun!! | Renee Stengel Photography | Charlotte NC Underwater and Family Photographer

With just a few easy tips you can capture fun Halloween Memories that would make Glenda the Good Witch Proud!

Shoot Before it’s Spooky!

Get those Photos BEFORE Dark! We always head to a neighborhood gathering for snacks before Trick or Treating. Grab those photos before the sun sets so that all the details get captured. The golden light in the last hour of the day is the most perfect natural light for portraits – take advantage of it!

If you get out even earlier in the afternoon, remember, you don’t want to be in direct sunlight because it will make harsh shadows. Instead, pick open shade that has even lighting, like under your front porch or a large tree.

Halloween Fun! My Spooky little Skeleton with his big blond curls melts my heart! and our amazing Nanny rocked her Scarecrow Costume! | Renee Stengel Photography | Charlotte NC Underwater and Family Photographer

Details. Details. Details

Cute, Scary, Weird, Gross? Capture them ALL! Get close and grab some photos of those special details. A crown, awesome makeup, a special gun? Capture it!

Those little items are super special to your little one ~ and they will treasure having the keepsake for years to come.

Halloween Fun! Spooky Tween Mummy Costume | Renee Stengel Photography | Charlotte NC Underwater and Family Photographer
I cannot explain how proud this guy was of his spooky mummy costume and makeup!! Love my oldest boy!!
Don't forget the Treats! The Halloween fun starts long before dark on October 31st!! | Renee Stengel Photography | Charlotte NC Underwater and Family Photographer
Don’t forget the Treats! The Halloween fun starts long before dark on October 31st!!

No Aliens Beams ~ Skip the Flash! (mostly)

There may be times you will want to use the flash as a filler, like when your subject is a little backlit and you want to eliminate shadows and keep those faces cute, not ghoulish.

But please! Skip the flash if it’s your only light source – you will be so much happier with natural or ambient light!

Caught our Spooky Tween Mummy working on his "scare the children" routine in this low light Halloween image. Renee Stengel Photography | Charlotte NC Underwater and Family Photographer
I caught our Spooky Tween Mummy working on his “scare the children” routine in this low light Halloween image. No flash, just increased my ISO and captured it using ambient light from the driveway lights. A flash would have ruined the effect for sure!

And here is another version captured with my iPhone and edited with PicTapGo on my phone!

Get on your Little Monster’s Level

Or bring them to yours! Squat down so that you are eye level or just above – and get close. Those close-up shots can be some of the best.

Capture the glow of their eyes peeking through their mask. If you have a newer iPhone with Portrait Mode – turn it on and get close and capture a photo of your little one’s face so you can remember the magic in their eyes on this spooky fun night.

Halloween treats!! Halloween fun includes all the details! | Renee Stengel Photography | Charlotte NC Underwater and Family Photographer
Get down on their level! Those cookies may not be as important to you – but is there anything more important about Halloween to a toddler than the TREATS!?!

Tradition Doesn’t have to Mean Dreary

Halloween Fun! Love Capturing the holiday decor details with a quick iPhone Porch Photo! | Renee Stengel Photography | Charlotte NC Underwater and Family Photographer

Pick a spot to take Halloween photos every year ~ like a porch, front door, or mailbox! It’s a great way to track growth and interests.

I love using my front steps ~ no worries about indoor clutter, its decorated for the season, brings them closer to my level, and the natural light is perfect! So many Wins!

Grab the Whole Gang

Marshmello Head and Mummy Tweens with a super Cool Scarecrow! Some serious Halloween Fun!! | Renee Stengel Photography | Charlotte NC Underwater and Family Photographer

Ask a friend or neighbor to get one of the whole family, even if you didn’t dress up! Or use the timer on your phone and capture one yourself – Don’t be the invisible ghost in your family!!

Halloween Fun! The whole family on the porch with a quick iPhone selfie! | Renee Stengel Photography | Charlotte NC Underwater and Family Photographer
Grab some with their Friends!!
Offer to capture other parents along the way – get everyone in the photos!!

I can’t wait to see what you come up with!!  And remember ~ they may not always be perfect photos ~ but the memories absolutely will be!!

7 on 7

And since its the 7th – you know what that means! Time to take minute and browse through some awesome images from my photographer friends around the globe. I love our Blog Circle every month ~ so many fun stories and photos to enjoy every single time!

I love how I can count on this group for some Travel Photos – it seems that every month at least one friend has a major adventure to share! And this month it is my friend Kristina with her European adventures in Prague, Venice and Slovenia!

Do you have any more tips for Capturing Better Halloween Photos?

I would love to hear them!! Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!!

RENEE STENGEL Photography | Charlotte Underwater and Portrait Photographer |
Spooky Toddler Skeleton, Marshmello Head and Cool Scarecrow! Some serious Halloween Fun!! | Renee Stengel Photography | Charlotte NC Underwater and Family Photographer
Halloween Fun! Spooky Tween Mummy Costume | Renee Stengel Photography | Charlotte NC Underwater and Family Photographer
Get in the Photo MOM! Halloween fun includes you too!! | Renee Stengel Photography | Charlotte NC Underwater and Family Photographer
Get in the Photo MOM! Halloween fun includes you too!!

share:

  1. Kris says:

    So much Halloween fun here! Great tips Renee.

  2. Kristina says:

    Great tips Renee! I wish my kids still dressed up!

    • Renee Stengel says:

      It IS fun Kristina!! Sweet little Jacob is already stressed about what he will wear – he wants something scary but worries people won’t give him candy if they are scared of his four year old little self! HA!