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Dog in wonder woman costume in front door. Avondale, AZ photographer

Scary Snaps: Halloween Photos of Kids and Pets

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Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to capture the magic of the season than with photos of adorable super hero’s and scary pirates? Whether you have little ghosts, ghouls, or furry friends dressed up in adorable costumes, there are plenty of opportunities to create lasting memories.

Here are five tips to help you take amazing Halloween photos of your kids and pets:

Lighting is key

Opt for natural light whenever possible. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can create harsh shadows. If shooting indoors, use soft, diffused light. Lighting is the key to every photo. Halloween is a great time to play with shadows to create a dramatic affect.

Get down to their level

Kim VanOs Photography

Take photos from your child or pet’s perspective to capture their unique viewpoint. Not like the above photo!

Background matters

Choose a background that complements your child or pet’s costume. A pumpkin patch, a spooky desert (here in AZ), or even your own backyard or front door can be great options.

Capture the details

Kim VanOs Photography

Don’t forget to zoom in and capture the intricate details of your child or pet’s costume.

Have fun!

The most important thing is to enjoy the moment and create lasting memories. Let your child and pet have fun with their costumes, and snap away! Remember a photo transports you back in time so make it one everyone wants to remember. 

Dog in wonder woman costume in front door. Avondale, AZ photographer
Kim VanOs Photography Surveying the area....
Dog in wonder woman costume in front door. Avondale, AZ photographer
Kim VanOs Photography She hears something....
Dog in wonder woman costume in front door. Avondale, AZ photographer
Kim VanOs Photography Someone's in danger....

Happy Halloween! 

From you friendly neighborhood photographer!

Kim 

A DIY Halloween Spooky Photo Booth

A DIY Halloween Spooky Photo Booth

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Hey Momma’s Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to add some extra fun to your party than with a DIY photo booth? This blog will be quick and to the point to get you on your way to setting up a spooky Halloween photobooth area. A photo booth is a great way to capture memories and create hilarious keepsakes.

Here are some tips for creating a spooky photo booth at home:

Create a backdrop using a sheet, a wall, or a piece of cardboard. You can decorate the backdrop with Halloween decorations, such as pumpkins, skeletons, and cobwebs.

Set up a backdrop:

Create a backdrop using a sheet, a wall, or a piece of cardboard. You can decorate the backdrop with Halloween decorations, such as pumpkins, skeletons, and cobwebs.
Gather props: Collect a variety of props that match your theme for your guests to use in their photos. Some ideas include hats, masks, wigs, and vampire teeth that you hand out as guests come in.

Gather props:

Gather props: Collect a variety of props that match your theme for your guests to use in their photos. Some ideas include hats, masks, wigs, and vampire teeth that you hand out as guests come in.
Set up a digital camera or smartphone tripod for guests to use. Ask guests to post and tag you or text them to you. 

Provide a Cell Phone Tripod:

Set up a digital camera or smartphone tripod for guests to use. Ask guests to post and tag you or text them to you. 
Use string lights or lanterns to create a festive atmosphere. Then add a soft box or a ring light.

Add lighting:

Use string lights or lanterns to create a festive atmosphere. Then add a soft box or a ring light.

10 Different Creative Halloween Photobooth Ideas For Your Next Halloween Party

  1. Spooky Science Lab: Set up a lab table with beakers, flasks, and bubbling potions. Have guests wear lab coats and goggles for a fun and educational photo booth experience.
  2. Underwater Adventure: Use a blue backdrop and string lights to create an underwater scene. Guests can wear swimsuits, snorkels, and fins for a fun and unique photo.
  3. Haunted Mansion: Create a spooky mansion scene using a backdrop, furniture, and decorations. Guests can wear costumes like ghosts, vampires, and witches.
  4. Time Travel: Set up a time machine backdrop and provide props like top hats, monocles, and vintage clothing. Guests can pose as time travelers from different eras.
  5. Candy Land: Create a colorful and sweet backdrop inspired by the popular board game. Guests can wear candy-themed costumes and hold candy props.
  6. Outer Space: Use a black backdrop with stars and planets to create an otherworldly scene. Guests can wear astronaut suits, alien costumes, or space-themed accessories.
  7. Horror Movie Scene: Create a scary scene inspired by a horror movie. Use props like chainsaws, axes, and fake blood to create a spooky atmosphere.
  8. Carnival Fun: Set up a carnival-themed backdrop with colorful stripes and lights. Guests can wear carnival costumes and hold cotton candy or balloons.
  9. Pixelated World: Create a pixelated backdrop using large blocks or sheets of paper. Guests can wear costumes inspired by video games or animated characters.
  10. Vintage Photo Studio: Set up a vintage photo studio with a backdrop, props, and lighting. Guests can dress up in vintage clothing and pose like old-time movie stars.

 

Once your photo booth is set up, encourage your guests to have fun and get creative with their poses. You can also provide a spooky photo booth props like a frame for guests to hold.

Here’s to a spooky Halloween party! 

2024Robby (631 of 75)

Childhood Memories Photoshoot

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2024Robby (628 of 75)

Childhood Photoshoot with Stuffed Toys

I loved this childhood memories photoshoot because this cutie really came out of his shell once we started chatting about each of his stuffies. Robby LOVES stuffies and I mean really loves stuffies. I knew the moment his mom booked the shoot that we would incorporate as many of those stuffies as possible. To get your child to really have fun and give real smiles in a photo bringing in the things that s/he is passionate about will almost always do the trick. 

Capturing childhood with stuffed animals
Fun with stuffed toys photoshoot

Making children smile during a photoshoot

Once Robby started telling me about all the names of each and every stuffie in his collection. He then told me different stories about each one and how they interact with each other. With each story his smile got bigger, and he relaxed more allowing his personality to come out. These are the photos he will look back on remember all the fun he had with his beloved “stuffies”.

boy photoshoot birthday
2024Robby (619 of 75)
2024Robby (621 of 75)
2024Robby (623 of 75)
2024Robby (631 of 75)
boy photoshoot birthday
2024Robby (619 of 75)
2024Robby (621 of 75)
2024Robby (623 of 75)
2024Robby (631 of 75)

Taking your own childhood memories photos

The biggest things when taking your own child’s photos is….

  1. Making sure they are happy to be there. 
  2. Making sure you have really good lighting. 

But if you want someone else to capture those precious memories….

Click Here
blackandwhite

Black and White Photos

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A Little About Black and White Photographs

I love black and white photos! I mean, I love all photos but there is something about black and white photos that is deep, powerful, emotional and timeless, in their reminiscent quality of the past. This type of photoshoot isn’t for everyone or even really for any photo in spite of the fact that any color photo can be flipped to black and white. Not all photos hold the same appeal or evoke the same level of emotion when they are flipped to black and white.  But if you are ready to schedule your black and white photoshoot email me at kimvanosphotography.com. 
 
MAIN FOCUS
Black and white photos are great if you know what the main focus is in your photo. By this I mean some photos have so many different things that your eye is pulled to but if you really want to create a powerful black and white photo have the main focus in mind before it’s ever even taken. If the focus is a person then they should be the majority of the photo but if the focus is the background and the person is just in it then, that should be the majority of the focus. Let me show you. 
BLACK AND WHITE SUBJECT
In this photo the girl has a hat on that is framing her face. The background is not really noticed in the photo because there isn’t much to distract your eye, it’s the girl’s face and the hat. So the photo is a powerful black and white because anyone looking at it knows immediately what the main focus of the photo is. From there the eye can scan the rest of her face noticing where her eyes are looking, the freckles that are spattered across her nose, the deepness of her lips and the flower on the hat she is wearing. 

BLACK AND WHITE LANDSCAPE
In this photo the overall background of the majestic arch found in Arches National Park is the main focus and the subjects in the photos are just a part of the overall photo.  You can really see how the photo shows the cracks and crevices of the arch that are somehow easy to overlook in the color version of this photo. It gives it a depth around the arch that allows the eye to travel all the way around it, noticing all the little intricacies of it. 
 
IMPORTANT ASPECTS
Black and white photos should have a clear, non distracting background to help your eye know where to go. From there it is like staring at a piece of artwork allowing your eyes to take in the photo and notice the nuances that would otherwise be possibly missed or overshadowed in a color photo.
 
PREPARING FOR A BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO
When preparing to take a black and white photoshoot here are some things to consider. First, where you are taking the photos or what the background will look like. Is it clean? If not, you may want to think about changing locations. Are your clothes solid colors that do not compete with the background but still give depth? So if you are standing in front of white wall don’t wear a white shirt, wear something with a darker color to help you pop. This opposite if the background is dark. Make up can be a bit heavier because you will want the contrast to show.
 
WHY BLACK AND WHITE
So why black and white photos? They can be used in any décor since the color of the room will not matter and you can create a beautiful wall layout. The feel is completely different then color photos and will help invoke the emotion of the shoot.  Black and white photos are not for everyone but next time you come across one, take the time to really study it and notice the small things you may have missed in a color photo.
 
If you are interested in a black and white photo session please contact me at [email protected].