Vintage black-and-white photo of children in eerie oversized Halloween masks and old-fashioned costumes posing together outdoors.
Vintage black-and-white photo of three people in eerie handmade masks and costumes standing on a leaf-covered lawn among trees.
Vintage sepia studio photograph of a seated woman surrounded by five children in pointed hats and costumes against a painted backdrop.

Old-Fashioned Halloween Costumes: Homemade Fun and Childhood Memories


There’s something so fun about looking back at old Halloween photos. The homemade costumes, the funny masks, and the creativity that went into turning everyday things into something a child was excited to wear. Some of those old costumes were honestly a little creepy, even when I’m not sure they were supposed to be!


Old-fashioned Halloween costumes also tell us a little about childhood through the years. Before families could browse entire aisles of costumes, getting dressed up often meant making something at home.

Collage of children in creepy clown costumes posing against a colorful graffiti Halloween backdrop with glowing jack-o'-lanterns.
Collage of two kids in Halloween costumes posing against a colorful graffiti pumpkin backdrop, one as a warrior girl and one as a superhero.

What Halloween Costumes Used to Be Popular?


Ghosts, witches, and goblins were common Halloween costume choices in the early 1900s. Most costumes were handmade until the late 1940s, so families had plenty of opportunities to get creative with their spooky outfits.


Over time, favorite movie and television characters became part of the fun. Mickey Mouse was a popular costume choice in the 1930s. By the 1950s, characters such as Davy Crockett and Zorro were inspiring children’s Halloween looks as boxed costumes became more affordable.


Kids wanting to dress up as their favorite character definitely isn’t a new thing! The characters have changed, but that excitement is pretty familiar.

Collage of a person in a black Ghostface robe holding a mask and prop knife against a colorful jack-o'-lantern Halloween backdrop.
Collage of nine photos showing a boy in a blue hedgehog costume and a red sweatshirt against a Halloween pumpkin graffiti backdrop.

Why Halloween Costume Photos Are Worth Keeping


What I love about Halloween photos is how much they capture about a child at that age. Their favorite character, their personality, and how proud they are to show off their costume.


One year, they’re excited about being a little pumpkin. Before you know it, they have very specific opinions about which superhero, princess, or spooky character they want to be.


Those interests change so quickly. A costume photo is a fun way to remember that little piece of who they were that year.

Young girl with dark hair and bangs wearing a skeleton costume poses in front of a colorful graffiti-style Halloween pumpkin backdrop.
Collage of children posing in front of a colorful Halloween backdrop with pumpkins and monsters, wearing light blue shirts on a wood floor.

$30 Holiday Kid Mini Sessions in Puyallup


At Veronica Victoria Photography in Puyallup, I offer kid mini sessions for all the holidays for $30 per timeslot. They’re a simple way to capture seasonal memories throughout the year.


Halloween is one of my most popular holiday mini sessions and one of my favorites to photograph! I love seeing what the kids come dressed as and watching their personalities come out once they’re in costume.


Whether their outfit is handmade, store-bought, spooky, or completely adorable, it’s worth remembering.

Keep an eye on my holiday kid mini session announcements for upcoming dates and booking details. I’d love to photograph your little ones at my downtown Puyallup studio!

Collage of kids and babies in Halloween costumes posing against a colorful pumpkin backdrop in a festive photo studio.
Smiling girl in a pink unicorn costume with horn headband, veil and white fuzzy gloves poses against a Halloween pumpkin graffiti backdrop.