Halloween Photography Tips and an Ebook Discount from Big Picture Classes

Halloween can be a 'tricky' time of year for taking photos. Try these five photography tips from Rebecca Cooper, author of Don’t Say Cheese: Capture real smiles with 247 tips for photographing kids.

1. Change Perspective
The traditional smiling-in-their-Halloween-costume photos are great, but don't forget to switch things up! For this shot, which is one of my all-time Halloween favorites, I was crouched low to the ground behind the kids as they walked away from me.

2. Play it Up
Instead of asking costumed kids to “say cheese,” ask them to act like the character they're dressed up as. Even the most serious or scary expressions quickly turn into smiles!

3. Take Before and After Shots
Take one photo “before” followed by an “after” photo that’s as similar in setting and composition as possible. This works great for pumpkins, party decor, and of course, costumes.

4. Shoot Before Dark
Think about having your trick or treaters ready a bit early. Head out at dusk when the sun is low and you have just enough of that golden sunlight left to capture a few memorable photos.

5. Get in the Glow
For the best spooky jack-o-lantern glow, it’s best to:

• Turn out the lights and turn off your flash
  
• Use your camera's self timer or a remote and set your camera on a stable surface or a tripod to avoid blur
  
• Photograph your pumpkin on a glossy surface for added spookiness
  
• Opt for an artificial light source inside the pumpkin (battery-operated candles or flashlight) for more even lighting
  
• Use more than one “light source” (e.g., multiple glowing pumpkins)
  
• Tell your kids to look at the jack-o-lanterns and play "freeze.” There can be no blinking, no itching noses, no giggling. Kids love the challenge, and you’ll love the resulting photos!

Happy Halloween from us to you! And here’s a bonus treat: Rebecca’s 54-page eBook, Don’t Say Cheese, is 31% off through the weekend. Enter code SPOOKY at checkout by Sunday, November 3.