When I was a kid, my parents took pictures of me on every occasion: at Christmas, on my Birthday, at Easter, and at Halloween in my costume before I went trick-or-treating.  The costumes changed from year to year, but I liked Batman the best.  Of course there was also the obligatory ghost costume with a sheet over my head.  The one variable that never changed was where the picture was taken: standing right inside our front door.  I mean standing up straight and tall directly in front of the closed door.  Every occasion.  Every picture.  For some reason my parents though the closed door made a good background.  Even when visiting my grandparents, my picture was taken directly in front of their closed door.

As Halloween approaches, don't miss the opportunity to take pictures of your children and grandchildren.  Dress them in their costumes if they are going out to trick-or-treat, or include fall-themed props and decorations if they are not.  It's a great time to get outdoors and talk with friends and neighbors, or to participate in one of the many fall festivals or "trunk-or-treat" events sponsored by local churches and businesses.

Have fun, be safe, and enjoy the Halloween and fall festivities.  Take lots of pictures of your children and grandchildren.  But please don't make them stand in front of a closed door.  They will thank you later.