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Taking Creative Halloween Shots

If you are looking to spice up Halloween shots of your little pumpkin, then steer clear of boring backgrounds and cheesy grins, and let your costumed kid’s inner ghoul shine.

Costumes and candy are the main ingredients of any Halloween celebration. However, if you want to get decent photos of your little princess, werewolf or dinosaur, then don’t wait until all their candy is devoured before getting your camera out. Amped up kids in costumes don’t make ideal photo subjects. The key to getting great shots of your little trick-or-treaters is to snap the shots prior to the sugar rush. Take pictures early, when the makeup is still fresh, the masks are still on, and your child’s attention span is longer than a gnat’s.

It’s also a good idea to plan out a sequence of shots. For example, consider taking:

*Group shots

*Individual shots

*Posed shots

*Candid shots

*Shots with props

In addition, get creative with your backgrounds. Ditch the boring front door shot and have your costumed characters pose near a spooky tree or in a decorated yard instead.

Another tip is to compose your photo to highlight the costumes in the picture. For example, a Disney princess will look more appropriate posing on a grand staircase than near hanging bats or fake bloody limbs. What’s more, by placing your costumed child in a relevant setting you will have an easier time encouraging them to strike a creative pose. For example, your pint-sized Frankenstein will look even spookier with his arms raised and head cocked on a moonlit walkway rather than simply standing upright in a well-lit kitchen.

Props are also a great way to get your kids to play it up for the camera. A witch can pose with a black cat or a broom; a dinosaur can pose on a pile of rocks; and your little costumed puppy dog can gnaw on a fake bone in front of a real doghouse.

Related Articles:

Telling A Story With Your Shots

Natural Framing

Snapping Frameworthy Shots Of Your Kids

Spicing Up Your Shots

Snap Happy Parents Unite!

Are You A Snap Happy Parent?

Snapping Keepers Of Your Kids

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About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.