Halloween Photos + Link Up
I hope you had a Happy Halloween, or a “Happy Halloweeny!” if Elias is talking to you. 🙂
We had a really memorable Halloween this year. I knew that with moving + a lot of fall travel, I would only have time to make a costume for Adeline. Plus, Elias wanted to be Luke Skywalker, which I knew I could not sew.
Well then the Luke costume didn’t fit and he decided to be a pirate, which I totally could have made had we not figured it out a week before Halloween. Thankfully, Amazon Prime saved the day and I found a great costume. He had so much fun saying “RRRR!” and looked adorable.
I was inspired by Pinterest to make Adeline a candy corn costume. It was a hit and she looked adorable. Elias loved telling people, “she’s a little candy corn” in a high pitched voice.
We had a lot of fun in our new neighborhood. It wasn’t super crowded with kids and Elias had so much fun running up to each door, and saying “Trick-or-treating!”. He didn’t get why he should say “trick-or-treat” when we were “trick-or-treating.” 🙂 Adeline had to be right in the action too. She would hold out her little bag and just smile.
Elias decided he wanted a mustache for trick-or-treating. It cracked me up.
A few thoughts about my photos: I have learned to take pictures in advance of trick-or-treating (like in the morning, or even on another day for babies) so that I can take my time and get some great shots. While this worked for Adeline (and I got tons of great shots like the one above), Elias was not very cooperative and I got about 3 of just him in his pirate costume (thankfully one was the one above- a total winner).
Then, when I tried to take pictures of the two of them, we couldn’t get Adeline to smile and Elias got whiney after about 10 shots.
Mercy.
Then I got frustrated, but figured we’d have another shot before trick-or-treating. Unfortunately, I left work a little late + traffic was hideous and we didn’t even get costumes on until dark. I only was able to take a few photos, and they weren’t very good.
As I was looking through our photos from the night, Matthew gently reminded me that it isn’t about the pictures, it’s about the memories and having fun with the kids.
Nothing like your own words coming back at you. 🙂
But it’s true!! I am so grateful that both of my kids had fun on Halloween, that they enjoyed their costumes and that they are healthy. And at the end of the day, the limited photos I got truly do represent this year. I know five years from now I will look at them and smile as I remember this season of our life. And, if this was 20 years ago, I certainly wouldn’t have the number of photos I have to chose from. We are spoiled!
Sometimes even a memory keeper and photo lover needs a reminder of what matters.
Stepping off my soap box now. I hope you will link up your Halloween photos/blog posts in the comments below. I can’t wait to see your cute costumes.
And, if you have ever been frustrated by your photos (or lack of “perfect” shots), I’d love you to share in the comments. Hopefully I’m not the only one that this has happened to.
Also linking up at Small Style’s Halloween edition.
Absolutely adorable!
You are not alone in your frustration! With two kids, it’s so hard to get a good shot (I can’t imagine what it would be like with more than that). I always struggle with the picture for Christmas cards. One year, I just ended up using an individual picture of each of us…..group shots stress me out! Like you said, it’s about the memories anyway. And you have some amazing pictures of your kids (love the kissing shot in the leaves)!
yes, that leaves shot kills me. 🙂 love it.
The kids and costumes are completely adorable. I understand how frustrating it can be when you can’t get the shot(s) you want but in the end it really is about the memories and the fun and you totally got that.
yep! thank you for being so affirming. 🙂
I didn’t get any good pics of the kids this year. With it being a Wednesday, we barely got dressed and out the door for church. My husband is a youth pastor, so it wasn’t an option to skip and just trick or treat.
Ahh well.
Some of the kids at church got pics on their phones. I’ll just have to grab them from Facebook!
The candy corn costume is just precious! It looks like they had an amazing time. I’ve been trying to focus on being a more relaxed photographer. Lately I have mostly given up on posed shots and try instead to take pictures of them just having fun…that’s what I want to remember.
me too. 🙂
What a couple of cuties! Your pictures look amazing!
I think they look ADORABLE!!! The pixs look great Jessica.
I know I try to do a photo shoot with the kids a few days before Halloween. It so take the pressure off on Halloween night!
I love checking out the other bloggers on your post, nice to have everyone have a place to share… 🙂
Oh. My. Goodness! They’re just TOO CUTE!!! Great job on her costume! What I used to do when my kids were younger is just redress them if I needed a few more shots. Now they’re pros and if they’re complaining they know that they better just let me get my shot so they can move along. They used to stand in their pose and smile and then walk away and I would say, “WAIT! I have to CHECK IT!” Lol, teenagers!
I’ll try to link up later with the one shot I have of my daughter in her complete costume;)
She wanted to be Angelina Ballerina, so I made ears, a tail, a red flower like Angelina has on her leotard, and a tutu when my 4 year old informed me that the little one on her ballet leotard was not long like Angelina’s;)
I got one picture of her as my husband was painting her face (she insisted a painted face was necessary as well:)
I thought I would get more once we were at our friends’ house for trick-or-treating, but she didn’t want to wear the ears anymore. My husband wore them for the rest of the evening;)
So I have one picture that captures the entire thing — and yes I was a little disappointed at first and then realized it really doesn’t matter, and the shot I have is adorable, as she stands looking in the mirror having her face painted.
And she told me this morning that she wants to be Angelina again next year because “This is the best costume I have ever had” and really who could ask for more than that?;)
What a fun link-up! Your kids are adorable! The costumes and photos turned out great!! My husband is good about encouraging me to relax and enjoy the moment too, remembering our son is little;)
Your kiddos are so sweet!! Our trick-or-treat was postponed until tonight b/c of Sandy…so I will have pics to link up later tonight 🙂
Oh, I’ve definitely been frustrated with photos! Especially the ones for special occasions! I think the “special occasion” part just automatically puts the pressure on and I don’t really like that feeling! This year, I completely missed getting any decent pictures of the boys on Halloween itself because things were rather hectic, but didn’t let that stop me from snapping some pictures the following day when everyone was rested, not on a sugar high and the lighting outdoors was a bit better! With little ones, you just do what you have to do sometimes! 🙂
I thought the pictures were GREAT!!! Also, thanks for the linky. It made me want blog about our Halloween. With no kids yet, it’s a little less planned, but we had fun on Broadway! I can’t wait to dress up little ones one day…
Your babies are adorable! I love both of their costumes. We took Kendall’s pictures a few weeks ago because I knew getting her on Halloween would be impossible!! Have a great weekend!
gosh they are so cute. that candy corn outfit kills me!
You are NOT alone! It is nearly impossible the day of to get decent pictures & by taking them ahead of time you take much of the pressure off. I do the same thing – pick a nice day and let the kids have fun in their costumes….makes for some really sweet shots – like you got! 🙂
My son had a pirate theme party for his birthday this year so I’ve been enjoying your pirate pins on Pinterest. It was such a fun theme to work with! I don’t get to blog all that often anymore with my workload but I did manage to post some pictures of his party if you are looking for more ideas…
Speaking of themes…we did a Star Wars theme for our costumes this year – the whole family dresses up. 🙂
Great job on A’s costume!!!!
I did not do pics ahead of time this year, as I have done before with decent success, and did not get the “great” shots I was looking for, however I try to remind myself that I am happy with the shots I got, and they are a true reflection of this time in our life (ie my 8yr old the only one in the pic not smiling, later shots she is smiling but 3 year old running out of the pic, 6yr old boy with goofy grin who refuses to actually wear mask so I end up with it on my own head b/c I don’t have hands left to carry any more of their crap…er, stuff….). Also managed to leave my camera AND phone at home on Sat afternoon at park with PERFECT DREAMY LIGHT….argh!!!
Both of your kiddos looked awesome and sounds like they had a blast!!
How adorable!!!
This year was my first year trick-or-treating and it was an absolute blast! We did get a few cute shots, but just via cell phone and less than a handful. BUT – you’re totally right… The memories are much more important!
Feel free to check out my Halloween post here: http://gradybird.blogspot.com/2012/10/trick-or-treat-schoolin.html
Take care!
-Grady