Halloween is the perfect opportunity to take creative photos of your children and grandchildren. I love using my digital camera whenever I get the chance to take digital pictures of the grandchildren (and show them off, too). With the Halloween photography tips I received from a professional photographer, this year I can attempt to capture my devil princess, pretty pumpkin, and baby Yoda this Halloween in a unique way. 

An expert in children’s photography, Linda Russell of Russell Photography (www.mugsyclicks.com), offers 5 photography tips for parents to take perfect Halloween pictures to create lasting Halloween memories:

1. Utilize available light:  Turn off your flash and use a tripod or even the back of a chair to stabilize your camera and use a slow shutter speed to photograph your child by jack-o-lantern or candle light.
2. Light your child from below:  For a really “haunting” photo, have them hold a flashlight below their face pointed up.  Under-lighting is sinister and very scary.
3. Tell a story with your camera:  Start with a “still life” that says “Halloween” (a costume box, a jack-o-lantern, an empty trick or treat bag, etc).  Next,  photograph your child before the transition from suburban student to blood dripping vampire.  Capture the make up, the costume, the process.
4. Create a portrait of them in costume as if it were real:  A princess on her throne, a cowgirl in front of a barn, or a ghoul in the cemetery.  Engage your child in the fantasy.
5. Photograph the haul: Every child remembers the special Halloween when the mountain of candy was beyond belief.  Photograph them close up using a wide angle setting.  Fill the frame with candy as well as their joyful expression.