Getting Great Pictures of the Kids this Halloween

There she was in all her glory. Long white lab coat, frizzy hair, safety goggles -- and a face smeared with the black ash of an experiment gone terrifically wrong. She was, at least on this Halloween night, Dr. Abby Normal. But for most of her life I had known her as Abigail, my daughter, and I had just taken some of the most legendary photos of her life.

These weren't your garden-variety portraits. Not exactly Wal Mart studio stuff either. They were pictures taken of my kids in their natural element -- being kids. That is the real photo opportunity of a holiday like Halloween.

For treasured images this Halloween, here are some quick tips to remember to get once-in-a-lifetime photos:

1. Stop Posing -- Halloween is not a formal affair. So don't bother with the wedding style shots. Engage the kids in the play associated with their costumes -- and THEN shoot the pictures. Candids reveal the smiles much more than a "Hold still, honey!" moment.

2. Shoot Early, Shoot Often -- Film is the cheapest part of photography. And in this digital age, there just isn't a reason not to shoot several images. There are many good reasons for being trigger happy with the camera. First, if kids are use to you constantly firing away they won't bother with the plastic smiles. But most importantly, shooting more simply increases your chances for great pictures. With Halloween pictures some of the best images are taken while the costuming is in process -- don't wait for the finished product in getting out the camera.

3. Get in Their Face -- Halloween was made for pretend. Kids love to make faces, don costumes and assume a new personality. It is the ultimate form of exhibition. You just can't let the opportunity pass. They WANT to be noticed. Most point-and-shoot variety cameras have wide-angle lenses. While this helps them to get sharp results and to work well in lower light, they tend to move the subject matter further away. Most have a minimum shooting distance of around three feet. Don't be afraid to push that limit at Halloween. Get in close, have them make faces, ask them to talk to the camera. They will. It is, after all, Halloween.

4. Let Them Call the Shots -- It's their party. Ask them what kind of pictures they want. When my son was Harry Potter a few years back he wanted to jump off the roof on his Nimbus 2000. We had to reason with him a bit. But a little leap from a lawn chair to the grass did the trick and we got the shots of Harry in flight. Chances are your kids have an idea of the persona they are adopting. Let them call the shots to document the experience.

5. Use the set -- Most of us decorate for the season. There could be haystacks, a bubbling pot, a roaring fireplace. Use these props, even if they don't fit the theme of the costume. Down the road the memories you cherish will include all the fun that went into creating the holiday environment in your home.

Good candid pictures of children require active participation and putting them at ease. Halloween is the easiest of seasons in which to do this.

© 2004 by Jeff Westover

About The Author

Jeff Westover is a freelance writer and father of seven from Salt Lake City, Utah. He is the managing editor of My Merry Christmas.com, where folks have been making merry online for more than a decade. He writes about holidays, families, parenting, home schooling and photography for a variety of publications both online and offline. Please visit http://mymerrychristmas.com for more articles like this one.

---

Do It Yourself Gifts

Sometimes gifts that you purchase are not as personalized as... Read More

Secrets to a Stress Free Holiday

December and all the excitement that comes with it can... Read More

Taking Back Christmas

John Grisham wrote a book called SKIPPING CHRISTMAS. Amazon.com reports:... Read More

5 Ways to Having the Happiest Valentines Day Ever (even if youre alone)

The thought of Valentine's Day conjures up romantic evenings, a... Read More

Top Ten Things To Do The Day After Valentines Day

Why should February 14th get all of the attention?1. Water... Read More

The Origin of the Christmas Tree

Have you ever wondered why we decorate a tree for... Read More

The Evolution of Christmas Ornaments

Things have come a long way since a Christmas ornament... Read More

Fathers Day and Flowers

Father's Day is about to be celebrated in Australia. The... Read More

Keeping it Simple this Season

It's back. The holiday season and all the challenges that... Read More

Holiday Times Are For Helping Those Less Fortunate, Think Holiday Cards

Every year I watch as advertisers begin to promote their... Read More

New Ways to Use Old Christmas Cards

Forty years ago when I was growing up on our... Read More

7 Tips For Defusing Holiday Stress

KNOW THYSELFThe first key to creating a peaceful holiday season... Read More

5 Most Popular Styles of Christmas Ornaments

Traditionally Christmas ornaments were bulbs of all the same color... Read More

Are You Going To Survive The Holidays?

Admit it! You promised this year was not going to... Read More

15 Ways to Create Some Extra Holiday Money

Originally this was going to be a list for my... Read More

Hoo Hoo ? Owls and Superstitions, Thats Who

Superstitions surrounding owls have a long and ancient history. These... Read More

Find Easy Halloween Costumes Online! Great Ideas Are Only One Click Away

We all wish there was more time in a day.... Read More

Valentines Day ? Where Did THAT Come From?

Just as soon as the stores put away their Christmas... Read More

Birthday Gift Ideas

Birthday celebrations date back as far as biblical times, when... Read More

Experience Mothers Day In A Whole New Way

Mother's Day is the day when sons, daughters and husbands... Read More

Home For The Holidays: Happy Times, Right

This time of the year is supposed to be happy.... Read More

Dear Santa: Christmas Sucks!

Christmas time is finally here, and most people during this... Read More

The History And Origin Of Valentines Day

The oldest Valentine card still in existence was sent in... Read More

A New Look at Labor Day

A day to reflect on the accomplishments of working people:... Read More

Get Organised for Christmas... NOW!

Hasn't time flown? Only six weeks to Christmas!Now you may... Read More

Halloween & Hounds

Halloween is "fright night" for humans not dogs. Screaming, running,... Read More

Trick or Treating Safety

Halloween is such a fun time of year for kids... Read More

Holiday Expectations

As the holidays approach, I find myself wondering how I'm... Read More

Christmas Gifts to Last a Lifetime

Do you know what you are giving to the children... Read More

Survival Kit for the Holidays: Grace, Gratitude and Random Acts Of Kindness

If you*re like me, the holidays always have a way... Read More

Memorial Day: 3 Ways To Honor American Soldiers

The last Monday of May since 1868, has been designated... Read More

Memorial Day Flowers

Monday, May 30th is Memorial Day. Your local florist can... Read More

Traditional VS. Modern Anniversary Gifts

Most people are familiar with the traditional materials list that... Read More