Hi there, mom-tographer. You have a big weekend of photos coming up. I have just what you need to get the best photos of your lovebugs in their costumes with the least amount of stress. Remember to relax and let your kids be kids. I promise that you will love the little personalities that are showing in your photos in the years to come. These little reminders that occur naturally in our photos will be some of the most cherished reminders of your kids, their childhood, and your memories of motherhood. So let them be upset, let them stick out their tongues, whatever they feel they need to express – capture it!

A few tips to get the most out of your momtographer duties this Halloween:

1. Plan ahead of time. Do not wait until the last minute to take your photos. Kiddos are so excited when it is finally time to go trick-or-treating that having them stand in a line for a photo is the LAST thing you are going to get them to do. Have a costume try-on in the morning or the day before and grab your snapshots then. Leave the trick-or-treating time for quick documentary photos and enjoy the excitement.
2. Use the daylight. Taking photos in the natural sunlight will get you the best colors and will look the best. Take photos outside or inside by a window. Turn off the indoor lights to avoid that yellow coloring we sometimes see on indoor photos.
3. Use what you have to make a backdrop. Drape a black sheet, blanket, or curtain over chairs or the couch or a shelf to create a backdrop. Removing the clutter of the background will add so much to your photos and make your cute little monsters the center of attention.
4. Set up an activity in front of the backdrop to maintain attention or give them candy to eat. Having something for kiddos to do while you are taking photos takes the stress off of you for herding everyone while you are trying to snap away. If you have help – which always makes things easier – have them stand behind you with the camera to ensure everyone is looking at the camera when calling for attention.
5. HAVE FUN!

Love and Best of Luck,

Tricia