Halloween Photoshoot Inspiration
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how to capture the magic of the season through your lens. Whether you’re drawn to the hauntingly beautiful or the delightfully whimsical, this time of year offers a canvas rich with colors, textures, and themes. Join us as we share some captivating Halloween photoshoot inspiration that will help you create images that are as memorable as the holiday itself.
shadow play
A super fun and approachable way to play with some spooky halloween photography is with shadow photography! Use a bright, direct source of light and experiment with different props, set pieces, and costume pieces.
“Mother, may i?”
Try taking a classic childhood game, story, or memory and give it a terrifying twist! Don’t worry about whether or not viewers will get the reference- focus on the feelings it evokes. Try using single, low light sources or adding one or two dim, single-colored lights.
To achieve a haunting ghost effect like the one above, drape a somewhat sheer fabric over your subject and play around with lighting- lighting them from the back will silhouette your subject, while lighting it from the front will disguise the subject beneath the fabric more.
Nevermore navies
You don’t always need a mortal subject to evoke a haunting or spooky-inspired scene. Take the above still life, for instance! The bright single light source and high color contrasts give this Halloween setup a slightly more playful vibe. For a bewitching product shot or still life, try sticking to a dark, moody color palette with weathered/aged props and oddities items.
ghost hunting - long exposure
In order to evoke the same eerie feelings that turn-of-the-century spiritualists evoked with their phantasmic photographs, try a long exposure! If you’re shooting in black and white, keep the lighting low, with minimal light sources. After firing the shutter, have your subject move around the space. Try experimenting with various shutter and movement speeds, additions of props or textiles, or only moving specific parts of the model’s body.
Final girl
We’re obsessed with the energy of this image! To achieve a similar “final girl” style shot, don’t be afraid of getting up close to the model’s face with the lens. This can give a feeling of overwhelm or fear. Bonus points if you include a deep colored light to add a bit of flair and emotional intensity to the shot!
As you embark on your Halloween photoshoot adventure, remember that the best moments often come from embracing spontaneity and letting your creativity shine! Whether you choose to go all out with elaborate costumes or keep it simple with subtle spooky touches, the key is to have fun and capture the essence of the holiday. I hope this collection of inspiration ignites your imagination! Happy shooting!