Is it Spooky Season yet?
Every year seems to be getting shorter. Days and weeks becoming more hectic. Or is it just me? It's only just July...even that feels crazy, but blink and that will be gone, then August, September and then...yes Spooky Season is here. Down Under, I must admit we aren't that into Halloween as such. But as a creative photographer, it's something I ADORE, and so does my team. My Models get to ham it up and my makeup artists and hair stylists shine and put their creative talents on show. I mean REALLY shine.
Several of my hair and makeup artists do weddings and Down Under, we're in a lull (Winter) but by September it's full bridal assault. So we're taking that down time, to be proactive and get our Spooky on now! So without the stress of trying to arrange costumes, props and more as well as dates the whole team is available, much closer to October, we've already got a few in the bag and a few more as well to come.
So have your thoughts turned to Halloween yet?
The Screaming Banshee
Pros
There are some definite Pros to shooting your Halloween Spook Fest early, but there are a few Cons as well. Depending on what you are looking for, and the theme you choose, many items can be found and ordered in well ahead of time. Without the rush
Backdrops…if you are looking for Halloween backdrops, many places still have last year’s stock (and possibly cheaper)
Costumes, you may have to hunt around but loads can be found. Hit the thrift stores BEFORE the rush
Designers and makers have more time now to custom-make props, outfits and accessories and appreciate the early orders
You don’t always need Halloween ‘things’ to make something spooky, lights, smoke, gels can all add effects
Beat the Rush: Studios and popular locations can get booked solid closer to Halloween. Shooting early guarantees availability and reduces stress.
Favorable Weather: (Depending on where you live) Early summer often boasts comfortable temperatures and longer daylight hours, ideal for outdoor shoots with costumes.
Lighting Control: Shooting during non-peak hours allows for more control over natural light and easier scheduling for studio shoots with artificial lighting setups.
Time for Experimentation: With extra time, you can experiment with different concepts, costumes, and locations without feeling rushed.
Editing with Ease: Spreading out the shooting and editing process reduces stress and allows for more creative exploration during post-processing.
Cons
There are certain things that may only be available closer to Halloween.
I was lucky enough last year to buy up all the grave markers I could find AFTER Halloween, I just had to store them for nine months
Seasonal Disconnect: Shooting Halloween scenes in bright summer weather can feel disconnected from the spooky autumn vibes. While Down Under, we don’t have that problem so much.
Costume Challenges: Storing costumes for months can lead to wrinkles or damage, especially for delicate materials.
Maintaining Enthusiasm: Keeping the Halloween spirit alive for months can be difficult. Sharing photos too early might lose their impact when the actual holiday arrives
Limited Backdrops: Natural backdrops like fall foliage won’t be available until later in the year. But artificial ones or even plain black can work really well.
The Night Circus
Looking for some more inspiration?
Here are some post from previous years, that you may have missed…
Sitting on photos for months, especially if it’s something you’re super proud of can be difficult. Consider a Teaser Approach, capture a few detail shots or a teaser image to build anticipation for the full reveal closer to Halloween.
The Screaming Banshee: Model – Nicola Paige / Hair & makeup – Teighan Felton
The Night Circus: Model – Emily Reinhard / Hair & Makeup – Em Mrietta
