This past October 2024, I stepped into a photographer’s dream (or nightmare?) at the Halloween Shootout, hosted by none other than Lindsay Adler and Seth Miranda, with sponsors Adorama and Nanlite. As a creative female photographer, I live for opportunities like this—where eerie vibes meet epic setups, and your imagination gets to run wild. With creative direction by Lindsay Adler and Seth Miranda, stunning hair by Stevie Rosalie, jaw-dropping key glam makeup by Grant Karpin and Lisha Stewart, and spine-chilling SFX makeup by Catrina Grieco and Shannon Rae Mulligan, this was one event I had to be a part of.

First up, I got to photograph the incredible Bellatrix LeDevil in a devil-inspired setup. Those fiery red tones and high-contrast lighting? Intimidating at first glance! But once I started shooting and got into the groove, I felt inspired to push myself creatively. In post-production, I added my own twist to the finalized images, emphasizing the rich red palette and dark, devilish mood.

Next, there was a fiery orange-themed setup that honestly caught me off guard at first. It wasn’t immediately obvious it was fire-inspired—it felt like stepping into a hazy, smokey dream. But once it clicked, I leaned into the theme and couldn’t resist adding even more flames in post. There’s something so satisfying about enhancing a shot to bring your vision to life, and this set was hot in every sense of the word.

Now, confession time: I haven’t watched the Cenobite-inspired movies yet (I know, I know—adding them to my list ASAP). But when I saw the set designed by Seth Miranda, my imagination ran wild. Madame Wazzy, who isn’t a professional model but absolutely embodied the creepy theme, brought so much energy to the shoot. Seth shared some killer tips and tricks before we started shooting, which I appreciated so much—it’s always amazing to learn from someone so talented. And yes, if you’ve been following my Instagram lately, you’ll know I couldn’t resist adding my signature bright halo effect to the final edits. It’s become a bit of an obsession!

And let’s not forget the creepy clown setup—another masterpiece by Seth Miranda. Brent Shultz (who’s also an actor!) fully embraced his character, and the resulting images have this movie-poster vibe that gives me chills in the best way. Horror fans, this one’s for you: 

One of my absolute favorite sets from the event featured the stunning Mikala from New Icon NY, who totally nailed the Bride of Frankenstein look. The setup was to die for—everything from the dramatic lighting to the intricate details was perfection. I couldn’t help but get caught up in the decision of whether to keep the images in color or go classic black and white. I was torn for a bit, but in the end, color won out! The rich tones and textures just added that extra level of drama that felt too perfect to leave behind. This set was definitely one of the highlights, and I couldn’t be more excited about how the images turned out.

If there’s one takeaway from this experience, it’s this: invest in your craft. Events like this aren’t just about the stunning photos you’ll walk away with—they’re about the connections, the inspiration, and the chance to grow as a creative. I’ve always admired Lindsay Adler, and seeing her bring this shootout to life reminded me why it’s so important to take risks, trust your instincts, and let your vision guide you.

Whether you’re adding flames in post or chasing creepy clown vibes, trust me: the Halloween Shootout was worth it. I walked away with new skills, connections, and images I’m so proud of. If you ever get the chance to attend something like this, don’t think twice—just go for it.

Catch you on the spooky side!