Planning a Hen Party? How to Get the Party Started
‘Everybody Is Somebody Else’s Weirdo’ Dark Halloween Styled Shoot
Sometimes in this industry things can become a bit ‘samey’ and you can often see the same ideas cropping up time and time again. This is not one of those times.
When I saw this styled shoot photographed by the awesome Braedon Flynn I just knew you guys would love it!! There’s something so beautiful and dark about the whole thing that it makes me overly excited inside!
There’s a lot of skulls, taxidermy, feathers, tarot cards, crows, face painting, dreamcatchers, furs, antlers and even jelly moulds! So brace yourself for a beautiful nightmare…
When Anne Sage and Jesi Haack Design set out to create a dinner party, the girls came up with ideas that they coined “darko-weirdo”. The dinner table was complete with bohemian rugs and a crazy dreamcatcher in the background plus the team found a ton of vintage green and amber glassware at local thrift stores and used them not only for vases but for drinking glasses as well! To give the table texture and dimension, they found a killer grey fur coat at a salvation army and bunched it up to create a runner down the center of the table and instead of florals, they stuck with all types of ferns, and accented a couple of the pieces with feathers.
Jesi also worked with Jay’s catering to come up with some insane throwback foods – grasshopper pie and a tomato jello mold?!?! Hell yes! After dinner, guests entertained themselves with tarot card reading, music, fondue, face painting and of course, dancing!!
What do you think? I absolutely adore the outfits, so bohemian with a touch of mystery…
Credit where credit is due: ♥ Event design and styling: jesi haack design / ♥ Photography: Braedon Flynn / ♥ Florals and tablescape decor: JL DESIGNS / ♥ Stationery: Pitbulls and Posies /♥ Food styling: Jay’s catering /♥ Videography: Son of Sharkpig /♥Face painting: body art by allison
Tips for Planning a Halloween Styled Shoot
Planning a Halloween styled shoot is a great way to showcase your creativity and bring a fresh, exciting edge to wedding photography. From eerie lighting to spooky yet elegant décor, a Halloween styled shoot lets you experiment with dramatic themes and showcase unique design ideas for couples looking for something outside the traditional.
1. Set a Spooky Theme
First things first—decide on the kind of Halloween vibe you want to create. A Halloween-styled shoot can range from gothic romance to playful whimsy, and it’s important to pick a direction that will guide your decisions on everything from the colour palette to the venue. For a more classic take, consider a Victorian gothic theme with rich burgundy and black tones, antique candelabras, and an abandoned mansion as your setting. Or, for a lighter, fun approach, you could lean into autumnal elements like pumpkins, orange hues, and whimsical costumes.
2. Choose the Right Venue
Location is key in setting the tone for your Halloween-styled shoot. Look for venues with unique architecture, like an old manor, a castle, or a forest with towering trees. Abandoned buildings can add a hauntingly beautiful touch, while outdoor locations like pumpkin patches or foggy woodland areas bring a natural, mysterious vibe. Don’t forget to think about lighting—dusk and twilight offer that perfect, moody ambiance, but if you’re shooting indoors, candlelight or dramatic chandeliers will give it that eerie glow.
3. Add Dramatic Décor
Halloween décor doesn’t have to be all cobwebs and skeletons—though you can certainly add those for a bit of fun! Focus on rich textures and dark, moody florals to create depth in your images. Think black velvet, lace tablecloths, deep-hued flowers like black dahlias and burgundy roses, and metallic accents like gold or bronze for an added touch of glamour. You can also incorporate gothic candelabras, skulls, or even raven feathers for a subtle spooky aesthetic that will elevate your Halloween-styled shoot.
4. Play with Fashion
A Halloween styled shoot is a fantastic opportunity to push the boundaries of traditional bridal fashion. Consider a non-traditional black wedding gown or even deep jewel tones like emerald or plum. Dramatic makeup with dark lips and smoky eyes can enhance the gothic atmosphere, and don’t shy away from bold accessories like headpieces or statement jewellery.
5. Use Creative Lighting
Lighting can make or break your Halloween styled shoot. Soft, low lighting with candles or fairy lights adds a romantic, mysterious feel, while harsher lighting can create dramatic shadows and give your images a more eerie look. Fog machines can be a fun addition to create that ethereal, spooky atmosphere.
Incorporating these elements will ensure your Halloween-styled shoot is both stylish and hauntingly unforgettable!
Much Bespoke Love
Love every element to this. Big fan of unique takes on ‘status quo’ and this is wonderfully freaky in all the right ways!
Thanks Jessica, it is such an amazing shoot! Huge thanks to Braedon Flynn and team for letting us feature it :)x x x
I like the Halloween elements,so great!