The season of ghosts and goblins is nearly upon us! A few years ago, my friends and I headed to Kanturk Castle for a fun, creative Halloween shoot. Kanturk Castle, with its hauntingly beautiful architecture, gave us the perfect spooky backdrop. We experimented with different photography tricks, from off-camera flashes with color gels to using smoke for an eerie atmosphere.
One of my friends, dressed in skeleton face paint, played her part brilliantly. The dark castle walls and misty surroundings made her look like a figure out of a Halloween nightmare.
Kanturk Castle: The Perfect Halloween Backdrop
Kanturk Castle, with its rich history and eerie ruins, was an ideal location for our Halloween shoot. Surrounded by overgrown greenery and towering stone walls, the castle provided a haunting atmosphere even before we set up the camera. The overcast sky that day added to the mood, creating the perfect environment for spooky photos.
If you’re looking for a location for a Halloween-themed shoot, places like Kanturk Castle, with natural textures and historical charm, can make your photos come to life with very little editing required.
Spooky Vibes by Inchigeela Lakes: Halloween Shoot with a Scenic Twist
In addition to Kanturk Castle, we also ventured down to Inchigeela Lakes for part of our Halloween shoot. The contrast between the serene beauty of the lakes and the spooky atmosphere we were trying to create was striking. The calm waters and natural landscape gave an eerie tranquility to the images, enhancing the overall effect.
We set up some of the same tricks—off-camera flashes with color gels and a smoke machine—to bring the scene to life. The mist from the smoke machine blended seamlessly with the fog rolling off the lakes, giving the photos a surreal, ghostly atmosphere. Our friend, still dressed in her skeleton face paint, stood by the water’s edge, and the reflection of her figure in the lake made the shot even more dramatic.
Off-Camera Flash and Color Gels: Creating a Ghostly Effect
One of the key elements of our shoot was using off-camera flash to control the light. We positioned the flashes to cast dramatic shadows across the stone walls, instantly giving our photos a dark, eerie look. But the real magic came when we added color gels. By using purple, red, and blue gels, we transformed the lighting to give off a supernatural, ghostly glow.
The colored lighting enhanced our friend’s skeleton face paint, making her look more menacing and surreal. The shadows and hues gave the castle an otherworldly feel, which was exactly what we were aiming for.
Smoke for Atmosphere: Simple but Effective
To add another layer to the shoot, we used a portable smoke machine. The smoke drifted through the castle ruins, adding a ghostly mist that complemented the lighting and color gels perfectly. The combination of smoke and light created an eerie, atmospheric effect that made it look like our subject was emerging from the mist.
This is one of the simplest yet most effective tricks for any spooky shoot. If you don’t have a smoke machine, smoke bombs are an inexpensive alternative that can provide a similar effect
Skeleton Face Paint: Simple but Striking
One of our favorite parts of the shoot was the skeleton face paint. Although the design was simple, it had a dramatic impact on the final images. The high contrast of her black-and-white makeup against the dark castle backdrop made her the focal point of every shot.
Pro Tip: You don’t always need elaborate costumes for a Halloween shoot. Sometimes, simple face paint and creative lighting can deliver more powerful results than a full costume.
Final Thoughts: Creativity and Fun at Kanturk Castle
The Halloween shoot at Kanturk Castle was one of the most creative and enjoyable experiences I’ve had behind the camera. It was a chance to step away from wedding photography and dive into a world of experimentation and fun. Whether you’re a Cork or Kerry wedding photographer like myself, or just someone with a passion for capturing unique moments, Halloween is the perfect time to explore different photography techniques and create something unforgettable.
As the spooky season approaches, grab your camera, some friends, and head to a place like Kanturk Castle. You never know—you might just capture your next favorite set of photos.
Ghostly to the Beautiful: From Halloween Fun to Wedding Memories
Now, you might be wondering—what does a spooky Halloween shoot have to do with my work as a Cork and Kerry wedding photographer? Truth is, both are about the same thing: creativity, storytelling, and making a setting come alive.
When I shoot weddings at places like Gougane Barra, Springfort Hall, or top Cork wedding venues, I use the same principles I did at Kanturk Castle:
Looking for the best natural light.
Playing with texture, colour, and contrast.
Using location history to add depth and emotion.
Bringing personality into every single frame.
Your wedding might not have skeleton face paint (well—unless you’re planning a Halloween wedding, which I’d love!), but the idea is the same: using creativity to make photographs unforgettable.
If you’re curious about what that looks like, take a look at my wedding packages or browse my portfolio. Couples often tell me afterwards that the photos felt “alive”—and that’s exactly the magic I want to bring.
Off-Camera Flash and Color Gels: Creating a Ghostly Effect
One of the key elements of our shoot was using off-camera flash to control the light. We positioned the flashes to cast dramatic shadows across the stone walls, instantly giving our photos a dark, eerie look. But the real magic came when we added color gels. By using purple, red, and blue gels, we transformed the lighting to give off a supernatural, ghostly glow.
The colored lighting enhanced our friend’s skeleton face paint, making her look more menacing and surreal. The shadows and hues gave the castle an otherworldly feel, which was exactly what we were aiming for.
Smoke for Atmosphere: Simple but Effective
To add another layer to the shoot, we used a portable smoke machine. The smoke drifted through the castle ruins, adding a ghostly mist that complemented the lighting and color gels perfectly. The combination of smoke and light created an eerie, atmospheric effect that made it look like our subject was emerging from the mist.
This is one of the simplest yet most effective tricks for any spooky shoot. If you don’t have a smoke machine, smoke bombs are an inexpensive alternative that can provide a similar effect.
Skeleton Face Paint: Simple but Striking
One of our favorite parts of the shoot was the skeleton face paint. Although the design was simple, it had a dramatic impact on the final images. The high contrast of her black-and-white makeup against the dark castle backdrop made her the focal point of every shot.
Pro Tip: You don’t always need elaborate costumes for a Halloween shoot. Sometimes, simple face paint and creative lighting can deliver more powerful results than a full costume.
Reviews from Real Couples – What Others Say About My Work
I know blogs like this are fun, but when it comes to booking your wedding photographer, nothing beats hearing from couples I’ve already worked with:
“James blended in with us like one of the gang & captured breathtaking photos throughout the day without ever getting in the way.” – Pamela Milner
“From our first meeting James was a true professional and gentleman. His photos blew us away—every single one is frame-worthy.” – Allison Gordon
“Hiring James was the best decision we made. His natural energy put us at ease, and the end result was the most incredible photos that truly captured ‘us’.” – Hollie Inger
Want to see more? You can read further reviews and testimonials on my Google profile.
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