Photographing Halloween

Photographing Halloween

October 31 is just a couple of days away. While I don’t celebrate Halloween (not really), oftentimes I photograph related gatherings and events, and also people who dress up for this special evening. So, I was wondering, what are your plans for this year’s Halloween? Do you usually photograph Halloween? Do you dress up? Do you celebrate?

Years ago, on Halloween night I used to go out with friends and loved ones. While my friends would dress up in dark hand-made angel wings or wear vampire attire, I would go…as a photographer. We would walk in the West Village Halloween Parade and pass by the giant spider hanging from the Village public library tower. Years later, while part of the Undetectable flash collective, I had the chance to go all the way up inside that library tower, and see the giant spider up close and personal.

My favorite subjects to photograph, especially for Halloween, are dark angels and vampires. Luckily, I have wonderful friends who wear the most stunning outfits and allow me to photograph them in those outfits.

Since I speak vampire, and in more ways than one, I’m drawn to this subject. Hence, years ago I came up with a book about photographing vampires and called it Vampire Fantasies. And then, in 2014, my “vampire” friend showed up as a stunning, mysterious, yet friendly vampire at the opening of my show, Vampires in NY (part Of the Mind show at Casa Colombo), surprising everybody.

Here are a few images from the Vampires in NY/Of the Mind art show:

Here are a few images from the West Village Halloween Parade:

I wish you all a safe and Happy Halloween!

And, as always, thanks for stopping by,

Alina Oswald