Halloween-Themed Props for Photos (13 Spooky Ideas)

The Halloween 2021 season is upon us! The 2021 year has flown by, and before we know it little trick or treaters will be showing up at our doors with candy buckets in hand. It is also time to get some Halloween photos of you and your family. Looking to find some Halloween-themed props for photos? If so you are in the right place!

This is a popular season for festivals with fall or Halloween themes. Last year, most Halloween activities were a no-go. We were well into the pandemic, so most festivities were scaled back or downright canceled.

With Halloween, there are so many setup options it can be overwhelming. To help you get inspired, I have compiled a list of 15 different props that can be used for your Halloween photo sessions. These ideas work for mini shoots, photo booths, or for families setting up a shoot in their own backyard. That is the beauty of photography props: They can be versatile and fun for so many types of shoots!

Here is a list of 13 Halloween-themed props for photos to help inspire your next photo scene setup:

Black Cat Stuffed Animals
Candy
Black and Orange Streamers
Jack o’ Lanterns
Spiderwebs and spiders
Crow
Spooky Trees
Mist
Candy Bucket
Moon
Brooms
Eyes
The Number 31

If you would like more in-depth discussions on each of these items, please keep reading!

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Black Cat Stuffed Animal

Do you have any stuffed animals that can work with a Halloween theme? This doesn’t have to be just black cats: Werewolves, bats, monsters, or similar stuffed animals will work as well. These have the added bonus that a child can hold them during the shoot. Might help put them at ease in front of the camera!

Candy

Any list of Halloween-themed props for photos is going to include candy! This time of year the stores are filled with Halloween candy. Consider using a bag of candy for some yummy looking photos.

Just be sure if you are using this for commercial pictures to avoid using any noticeable logos in the picture. Also, if your subject is a small child, make sure they don’t choke on any candy!

Black and Orange Streamers

Streamer backdrops are popular for birthdays, but you can also use them for Try adding in some black balloons to break things up.

Jack o’ Lanterns

A staple of Halloween, Jack o’ Lanterns are a fun option for photo props. It can also give you something to do with kids carved pumpkins! As a bonus, you can remember what your child’s pumpkin looked like that year since you will have it in the photograph with them.

If you are taking professional pictures, it might be good to invest in a reusable carved pumpkin. You can find them at many stores during the Halloween season, and they will last all throughout your shooting season. Plus, then you don’t have to worry about getting your carving just right for pictures!

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Spiderwebs and Spiders

This is a personal favorite of mine! Every year I decorate using fake webs and plastic spiders (I actually happen to be a rare person who likes spiders, so it works great for me). You can buy fake webs and spiders a lot of places this time of year. You can use a plain backdrop and string up spiderwebs and spiders to give your pics the spooky look.

Crow

You can find decorative crows at a lot of different stores this time of the year. Home and craft stores are your best bets. Or, if that fails, you can go online. Pretty much anything can be found on Amazon! Try combining the crow with a moon. This will give you a silhouette vibe and look super spooky. If you don’t have a crow, you can always use a bat instead.

Spooky Trees

Have any branches laying around in your yard? If they are big enough, you can stand them up and turn them into mini trees for your shoot.

Try getting branches that have a lot of little twigs on them. Depending on the backdrop you are using, I recommend spray painting them black before shooting with them.

Mist

Mist can add a spooky element to a picture. However, it is best to practice taking pictures of mist before incorporating it into your shoots. Be sure you can capture both the mist and subject in the same picture using the right camera settings.

You can make mist a couple of ways. Using a humidifier is a safe way to go, but the vapor can sometimes not show up in images very well. You can also use dry ice, which creates a great “mist.” However, since it can be dangerous, it is best to avoid using dry ice around children.

Candy Bucket

Kids love trick or’ treating with their candy buckets! Why not incorporate it into your photos? It can have the added bonus of a reward for when your child behaves well for pictures. If you are taking professional photos, be aware of any dietary considerations before using candy as a prop.

Moon

A bright full moon will add quite the mood to your photo. You have a couple of options to create your moon. The easiest is to buy posterboard from a store and just cut out a big circle. It is simple but effective.

You can also buy moon shaped decals online or at the store. Before you buy any supplies, be sure to plan out your scene so that you can get the right sized moon for your setup.

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Brooms

Brooms can work for any Halloween setup, even if there are no witches! Use small craft brooms, or a full size one. You can create your own and decorate it with leaves or spiders. If you want to try something fun, you can take a stuffed black cat and have it ride the broom.

Eyes

Spooky eyes are a great prop for Halloween shots. You can create spooky eyes in several different ways: Giant Googly eyes, paper lanterns you take a marker to, or paper plates you decorate. Try putting the eyes against a black background. It will make them look like they are peering out of the darkness.

The Number 31

Halloween is on the 31^st, so why not use the numbers? There are a variety of ways to achieve a number 31 prop. One of the easiest is to use a letter board and just use the “31” numbers on it. You can also cut out cardboard numbers and paint them black and orange (or whatever color works for your setup!).

Recap

There are so many options when it comes to photography! This is why it is such an amazing art form. Props can help you realize your artistic vision for a scene, especially one that is focused on the season at hand.

Here is a list of 13 Halloween-themed props for photos to help inspire your next photo scene setup: