With bright costumes and spooky decorations, Halloween is a photo goldmine you don’t want to miss! However, Halloween is also celebrated mostly at night when photographs are challenging to take. Try these great tips and tricks to snapping the best Halloween Pictures.

Before Halloween

Don’t miss out on photo opportunities on the days leading up to Halloween! Whether attending a corn maze, a spooky party, or decorating for the holiday, be sure to photograph all the details. Catch your kid peeking through ears of corn; get the monster cupcakes on the platter – or smeared on little one’s noses; record those cobwebs and tombstone decorations! All these details are great for telling a story.

Halloween Day

Remember that preparation is almost as much fun as the actual trick or treating. Take pictures of the kids (or yourself!) as they get ready. Get started early to ensure plenty of natural light to take portrait shots with. Remember to catch pictures of costume details, like designs on the fabric, finger nail polish, face paint, and those sneakers peeking out from the hem of your little one’s princess dress.

When snapping pictures of the kids, remember to get down on their level. Have them strike a pose related to their costume. Get shots of all trick-or-treaters with and without their masks so everyone can be recognized when looking back on these pictures in a couple of years.

Halloween Dusk

For the actual trick-or-treating portion of the evening, aim for that magical hour of dusk, when the sun is just starting to set. Dusk should give you enough natural light to continue photographing those striking costumes without a flash, but enough darkness to make the jack-o’-lanterns and flashlights glow.

Photographing Jack-O’-Lanterns:

Trying to catch the eerie glow of those pumpkins? Here’s few tricks to keep in mind: First, light your jack-o’-lantern with three candles to provide enough light for your camera to sense. Then, use a long shutter speed with a stable base or tripod. This will allow you to catch the glow and silhouette of the pumpkin. Need more details on the outside of your pumpkin? Use a flashlight to create mood lighting, the glow of other jack-o’-lanterns, or take the pictures at dusk.

Halloween Night

Once it gets completely dark, raise your ISO to 400 or more. Try to avoid using flash, which may ruin the mood of your creepy Halloween photos.

If you must use flash, however, be sure that everyone you’re photographing is in range of the light – otherwise, they may appear washed out or blurry. Also, consider using a colored flash filter (such as purple or orange) to maintain the scary mood of the holiday.

If you’re concerned about catching the right photos, try a few practice shots before Halloween so that you’ll know the best lighting options.

Halloween Wrap Up

Don’t miss out on the fun that comes after the trick or treating is done! Once everyone is safe indoors, catch pictures of your vampires and fairies sorting their candy collection (and perhaps wearing it on their faces).

What will you be taking pictures of this Halloween?