5 Hints for photographing your baby at Halloween

 Juliet at 2 months, a banana - Kristin Burns

Halloween is fast approaching and I can't wait to get some photos of my daughter in her costume. You'll have to wait until 10/31 to see this year's adorable get-up, though. But on a night of chaos, excitement and sugar highs, how do you make sure you capture your child in full regalia?

A hungry monkey eyes the sleeping banana at the People.com Halloween party

Hint 1: Don't wait until Halloween
This might be a bit of a cheat, but unless anyone is checking out your camera EXIF info, no one will mind if you get some shots of your little princess or ogre the day before. You're going to have to make sure it actually fits and try out any modifications anyway. Growing up in Boston, we usually added a turtleneck under all but the warmest costumes anyway. May as well take advantage of your child's undivided attention before the big day. Bonus points for enlisting a friend with their child in a coordinating (monkey/banana, cop/robber, Sonny/Cher) costume.

Our neighbor Owen in his handmade Noddy costume - Kristin Burns

Hint 2: Get down to their level
Pop a squat and take a few photos from your child's point of view - not only will you get some adorable portraits, you may enjoy seeing all the holiday decor from their perspective. Man, that glowing jack-o-lantern looks creepy from below!

Our daughter's favorite spot, our funky green patterned rug - Kristin Burns

Hint 3: Pick a location you can repeat next year
In my family, we used a door in the dining room as a backdrop to all our Halloween photos. Really fun to look back and see the difference a year made when the setting remained unchanged. Why not try someplace outdoors like your garden or a local park to include some fall colors?

My cabinet-crazed-burst-of-creativity cupcakes - Kristin Burns

Hint 4: Don't forget the little details
You spent hours picking out (or super-mom, sewing) the perfect costume for your child only to have them wear it once before it doesn't fit. Luckily the photos won't be so easily outgrown. Whether it's the tiny Dorothy ruby slippers or the monogrammed candy pail you had rush delivered (and will be replaced with your pillowcase next year to hold more loot), there are lots of little details from the day that will be discarded soon but not forgotten. Don't forget any holiday treats you made from scratch.

If you're counting, yes, my daughter had 3 costumes last year - Kristin Burns

Hint 5: Have fun with it
Your kids will be having a blast trick-or-treating, seeing the other children all dressed up, and amassing scary amounts of candy. So posing for a staged portrait will probably be the last thing on their mind. Instead, why not have them camp it up for the camera with their silliest (or spookiest!) face at the first house they hit and then relax. If you've followed the previous hints you've already snapped some treasures and just enjoy the moment. And gear up the biggest perk of making it through Halloween - raiding your child's candy after they go to sleep!

Still deciding on your child's costume? Check out last month's post with some of the most hilarious baby costume ideas. Want me to take some post-holiday photos, including their costume? Check out my site and shoot me an email.