If you've been reading this blog in past years then you know I really love holidays and decorating for them. Christmas is my very favorite because of the meaning and religious aspects, but Halloween is just so fun to decorate for! My sister and I were talking about how there are really only three styles that people decorate in for Halloween. Scary (blood, bones, monsters that sort of thing), Cutesy (brighter colors like purple, orange and green, cartoon like characters and pumpkins) and Vintage (black cats, pumpkins and old signage sometimes from the 30's and 40's sometimes leaning toward Victorian).
I don't like scary anything, I don't like horror films... (correction - I hate horror films), and I do not like haunted houses. I've never understood why people think being scared is fun, but I do love suspenseful movies like Rear Window and the new Sherlock Holmes so it makes sense that my style is vintage based.
I have made a lot of my own decorations. Remember this garland I designed and Making Memories used as inspiration for a garland they sold at Target? Now that we are in a house and not a tiny apartment, I've been whipping up a few new projects that I want to share here. I know it's just September (don't worry I'm not hanging up Halloween decor just yet!) but I wanted to give everyone time to be able to use the ideas for their own Halloween decor.
The first project up is creating your own family of ghosts. These images aren't hard to do - it just takes a little time and some photoshop know how. I was thinking - if anyone is interested I could do a little video tutorial here on my blog. Let me know if you are interested in the comments. Maybe I'm the only crazy one who would want to do this...
We spent the weekend in Fredericksberg, Texas. It's an old German town and it's perfect for finding spooky looking backdrops. The first two images are of Cole. All the clothing is from Zara. The first is from a distance and I've found that full lengths look a little better than the close ups for these. This image is a little more whimsical.
This next image is a little bit more scary. The only difference is really that he made a serious face and I offset the background so it's slightly blurry.
On a side note - what's the only thing worse than a scary movie? A scary movie with creepy children in it.
Fredericksberg still has it's jail from the 1800's. It was the perfect backdrop for Mark's ghost photo. His beard and long hair help the vintage factor. He is growing it out for Shakespeare auditions this fall.
I'll have to post the images of Grant and I later. I have to say if you have boys like mine that don't like getting their photos taken, this project is great. What boy doesn't want to have a ghost picture taken? My advice is to sneak a few smiley good ones into the shoot. They never have to know, and you end up with a good photos you like and spooky photos they think are awesome!
Hi! I'm a new follower! And would defiantly like to know how to do this!!
Posted by: whitney | September 07, 2011 at 10:31 PM
the photos look awesome
Posted by: Debra | September 07, 2011 at 10:39 PM
I would absolutely love a tutorial on this. I've played around with a Phillip Maisel-inspired technique that kind of reminds me of this, but it was all done with a camera and the computer. These look so cool!
Posted by: elizabeth | September 07, 2011 at 10:53 PM
Hi Candice!
I LOVE what you did here and would love a tutorial!
Posted by: Maria | September 07, 2011 at 11:30 PM
Fun!
Posted by: Jessica | September 07, 2011 at 11:57 PM
I love these! A tutorial would be awesome.
Posted by: Sandy Thelen | September 08, 2011 at 07:13 AM
Very cool! Another vote for a tutorial. I love learning new things in Photoshop.
Posted by: Jan Knapp | September 08, 2011 at 07:38 AM
Fantastic images, Candice. I would love a tutorial ,please :)
I live close to historic battlegrounds in Southern Maryland and would love to put this technique into action. Halloween also just so happens to be a favorite holiday of mine!
Posted by: Carol | September 08, 2011 at 08:03 AM
My grandsons would love photos like this! How did you do it?
Posted by: Linda | September 08, 2011 at 08:15 AM
Fantastic. My kids think this looks fun. A tutorial would be awesome!
Posted by: Jennifer P | September 08, 2011 at 08:17 AM
These are SO cool! Love them. . .I'd love a tutorial! :)
Posted by: Charmaine Ikach | September 08, 2011 at 08:29 AM
What a fantastic idea! Great Photos!
Posted by: DianneT | September 08, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Oh Candace - I would love to learn how to do this!!! Great photos
Posted by: Nicky from Canada | September 08, 2011 at 01:40 PM
What a GREAT GREAT idea!!!!!
Posted by: Shannon Taylor | September 08, 2011 at 01:44 PM
Please please please do a tutorial!
Posted by: Fariha | September 08, 2011 at 07:08 PM
Hi - I'm a new follower, just ran into your blog from another, love the idea of this please do a tutorial!
Posted by: christine | September 08, 2011 at 09:14 PM
I tried this once but it didn't turn out nearly as nice as yours! We took some next to a "dead end" sign that was spooky. I loved the banner you made too!
Posted by: Sara S | September 08, 2011 at 09:58 PM
These are fantastic images! I would love to know how to create them. My husband served in the San Antonio, Texas mission and his first area was Fredericksburg. I'd love to go there with him someday. :)
Posted by: Kim H. | September 09, 2011 at 04:39 PM
Those are great!! I would love a tutorial!
Posted by: MariaB | September 09, 2011 at 04:56 PM
these are awesome!! right up my semi-spooky alley. would LOVE a tutorial!
Posted by: mindy | September 09, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Love it! Please do a tutorial!
Posted by: Ami Looker | September 09, 2011 at 07:54 PM
I would love to see a tutorial.
Posted by: Heather | September 10, 2011 at 02:30 AM
FUN FUN FUN! I'd LOVE to see a tutorial!!!
Posted by: Kristie | September 10, 2011 at 06:03 AM
OH MY Heavens! I would love to know how to do this. Halloween is my favorite holiday and this could add so much to so many aspects. LOVE them!
Posted by: Amanda | September 10, 2011 at 05:17 PM
Yes! Bring on a tutorial...this would be fun to do (although I have a feeling it would slightly freak my kids out, even if the photos were of them!)
Posted by: Alicia W. | September 11, 2011 at 06:45 PM