Snaptober Day 9's prompt is Murder
I'll be honest: I struggled with this one! Between coming up with an idea and finding the time to actually make it happen, this photoshoot came together at the last minute. We took these photos around 8 p.m. the night before I needed to post them. Sometimes, creativity means working with the time you have and seeing what you can make happen!
Thankfully, @amysmystichaven was kind enough to join me for a late-night adventure at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve. She endured the humidity, the mosquitoes, and running around barefoot to help bring this idea to life. That's dedication!
For this prompt, I wanted to create something dark, eerie, and cinematic. Rather than showing an obvious murder scene, I wanted to create a mystery that leaves the viewer piecing together what happened.
And what if the person looking at the photos isn't just an observer? What if the camera represents the stalker or murderer?
That was the idea behind this series of spooky portraits.
Creating a Murder Mystery Through Photography
For this shoot, Amy wore an evening gown, as if she'd just left a fancy party, and carried an old lantern with a candle that was almost burned out. There was something unsettling about that combination: someone dressed for an elegant evening, alone in the darkness with only a little light to guide her.
We started with images of her facing the lake, holding the lantern as its candle illuminated her in the darkness. From there, the story began to unfold.
Some photos show her running toward the camera. Others show her running away. Then there's the abandoned lantern lying on the ground, followed by an image of Amy lying on the ground as if she were dead.
What happened between those moments?
That's for you to decide.
I wanted the images to feel like pieces of a larger story rather than a series of unrelated portraits. By changing the poses, compositions, and camera perspective, we could suggest that something was happening just outside the frame without ever showing exactly what it was.
I also wanted the camera's point of view to feel like the person stalking her. Instead of simply photographing someone in a spooky location, the goal was to make the viewer feel involved in the scene.
I love when photography can make you stop and wonder about what's happening in an image. You don't always need to explain the entire story. Sometimes, leaving a few unanswered questions makes the photographs even more interesting.
Finding the Spooky Side of Gilbert Riparian Preserve
The Gilbert Riparian Preserve was the perfect setting for this cinematic murder mystery photoshoot.
During the day, natural locations like this can feel peaceful and inviting. But after dark, the atmosphere changes. The mesquite trees start to look twisted and almost eerie, while the dark paths and shadows make it difficult to see what's waiting beyond the light.
That contrast was exactly what I wanted for this shoot.
The lantern illuminated only a small part of the scene, allowing the darkness to become part of the storytelling. Rather than showing the entire environment, we let the shadows conceal details and leave room for the viewer's imagination.
I love finding ways to use locations in unexpected ways. A place doesn't have to look like a haunted forest or a movie set to work for a spooky photoshoot. Sometimes, the right lighting, styling, and creative direction can transform a familiar location into something that feels completely different.
If you're looking for Halloween photoshoot ideas in Arizona, consider how much the time of day and lighting can influence the mood of your images. You don't necessarily need an elaborate set or an entire collection of props to create something memorable.
Your Photos Don't Always Have to Be Light and Airy
One thing I want people to know about working with me is that creative photoshoots are always an option!
Not every photograph needs to be bright, airy, soft, and romantic. Sometimes, you want something dark, dramatic, mysterious, or a little strange. Maybe you're inspired by horror movies, gothic fashion, fantasy stories, or the feeling of a scene from your favorite thriller. We can explore those ideas, too.
As a creative portrait photographer based in Phoenix, Arizona, I love working with people who want to experiment with different moods, concepts, and styles. Your photoshoot can be built around a character, a story, a particular aesthetic, or simply an idea you've been wanting to try. You don't need to have everything planned out before reaching out. We can brainstorm together, figure out what kind of atmosphere you want to create, and find ways to bring that vision to life.
Whether you're looking for spooky Halloween portraits, cinematic character photography, alternative portraits, or something completely original, there's room to make your photos feel like you. And sometimes, the most interesting ideas come together at the last minute, with a lantern, a dark path, and a model who's willing to run around barefoot for the sake of art.
Looking for a Creative Photographer in Phoenix, Arizona?
If you're looking for a creative portrait photographer in Phoenix or the surrounding Arizona area, I'd love to help bring your ideas to life!
I photograph creative concepts, fantasy-inspired portraits, dramatic character images, and sessions that go beyond traditional portrait photography. Whether you have a detailed vision or just a vague idea of the feeling you want your photos to capture, we can work together to figure out the details.
Your photos don't have to look like everyone else's. They can be dark and cinematic, whimsical and magical, dramatic and mysterious, or anything else you can imagine.
Ready to step into your fantasy? I'll meet you there. Book a photoshoot here!
Happy Snaptober!
