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.
Choosing a dolphin lover gift may not be as easy... Read More
Texas Exotic Hunting is a popular sport in this state.... Read More
On Father's Day, we celebrate the guys in our lives.... Read More
Halloween is "fright night" for humans not dogs. Screaming, running,... Read More
- Christmas is responsible for more waste and consumption than... Read More
Christmas shopping online is not for you? If you are... Read More
Getting the right hotel to spend one~s vacation at is... Read More
The Christmas tree is a much loved symbol iinstantly calling... Read More
Lifestyle is style over amount. And style is an art... Read More
Some time ago I received a gift from both of... Read More
Christmas time is finally here, and most people during this... Read More
Picture this scenario! It's December 24th, the day of Christmas... Read More
The first known birthday celebrations began among the Egyptians with... Read More
The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to allow your... Read More
Trying to fit all the planning and preparing and celebrating... Read More
Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking... Read More
What does holly, that untidy traditional greenery you just have... Read More
First, a disclaimer:This article requires information about John the Baptist,... Read More
Memorial Day is May 30th this year, are you ready?... Read More
The Holidays are coming and children have thought long and... Read More
After all the gifts have been purchased and placed under... Read More
Christmas is such a special day. It is a day... Read More
A mother's bracelet is a personalized bracelet that celebrates the... Read More
Forty years ago when I was growing up on our... Read More
Everyone loves to look and feel good, right? Well, why... Read More
So you know someone who likes to "veg out" in... Read More
Infidelity is at an all time high. According to the... Read More
Do you know a Mom that deserves a special gift... Read More
The general word on the Internet is the first Valentine... Read More
Superstitions surrounding owls have a long and ancient history. These... Read More
As the holidays approach, I find myself wondering how I'm... Read More
Another Mother's Day is upon us. A day in which... Read More
Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they... Read More
Putting up and decorating your Christmas tree is a holiday... Read More
Looking for interesting Halloween ideas? Perhaps you are looking for... Read More
Halloween ? so starts the Holiday Season. The average American... Read More
Tired of the same old typical Halloween costumes. You know... Read More
Let's admit it, the US and UK are both countries... Read More
Sure, you can call it a Hallmark holiday. But don't... Read More
Holiday spending can be a wonderful time. We shop for... Read More
Close your eyes and remember December, the smell of cinnamon... Read More
Father's Day...Father's Day only one month away! Father's Day is... Read More
Today Mother's Day or Mothering Sunday is celebrated all over... Read More
Even with modern technology like email and cell phones, printed... Read More
Some people hate to see Valentines Day come around. Some... Read More
Here are 7 classic kid birthday party game ideas that... Read More
I casually glanced down at my hand, but instead of... Read More
So, let's review a little what we said in the... Read More
Valentine's Day...the day of love right? Many years ago, 22... Read More
One of the tools I use as a professional organizer... Read More
Regardless of age, almost everyone can remember at least a... Read More
Mother's Day is May 8th. And, you do realize all... Read More
Monday, May 30th is Memorial Day. Your local florist can... Read More
It is widely known that many men enjoy fine jewelry.... Read More
As we reach the time of year when Christmas items... Read More
From the time I was a very little girl, I... Read More
The general word on the Internet is the first Valentine... Read More
Holidays and the start of a new year inevitably make... Read More
There are countless Halloween masks available today. At Halloween specialty... Read More
Christmas is one of those times when the social norm... Read More
What does your holiday season usually look like -- a... Read More
Some time ago I received a gift from both of... Read More
Country Christmas Idea: Milkweed Pod Poinsettia OrnamentsAt first glance, milkweed... Read More
I was not planning to write this article. Instead, I... Read More
Mr. Incredible and Elastiwoman to the Rescue. The Incredibles based... Read More
The Holiday season has officially begun and Christmas is almost... Read More
Holiday |