Sean’s Spooky Bachelorette Party Photos in Salem

Spooky season is upon us, which seems like the perfect time to share this incredible Salem bachelorette party photoshoot with Sean and her girls!

I was so excited when Sean reached out to inquire about bachelorette party photos in Salem, Massachusetts. I welcome any opportunity to visit one of my favorite New England cities! The more photoshoots I do here in Salem, the more I’ve grown to love it. There are so many picturesque elements of historic Massachusetts, and how can you not love those quaint, witchy vibes for a photoshoot?

We had an early wake-up call for this shoot to avoid the Salem crowds and make sure Sean and her bachelorette party had the spotlight at each location. The cloudy, foggy morning not only provided great lighting for these photos, but also created the perfect moody atmosphere for witchy bachelorette party photos in Salem.

I have to say, my jaw dropped when I met up with Sean and her friends. They looked absolutely INCREDIBLE! Every member of the bridal party was rocking an incredible black dress, and each one was so unique while also being coordinated to the group’s vibe. And Sean was, of course, the star of the show, in a gorgeous red corset-style gown from Office Seven on Etsy. Not to mention the flawless hair and makeup, with a perfect combination of moody black and popping red lips.

We began our Salem bachelorette party photos at the infamous Witch House right on Essex Street. And the early meet-up time paid off, because we had the place all to ourselves! I posed Sean and her friends for group, trio, and solo photos, and I have to say I think we perfectly captured the witchy vibes from the photoshoot moodboard she created before the shoot. I loved capturing a mix of spooky and smiling photos for this fun bunch, allowing their friendship to shine while making sure they could live out their mystical dreams.

Collage of Sean and her friends smiling in front of the Witch House in Salem at her bachelorette party.

Collage of Sean, a soon-to-be bride, and her friends standing in a row in front of the Witch House in Salem at her bachelorette party.

Collage of Sean and her friends featuring images of them smiling and standing in a row in front of the Witch House in Salem at her bachelorette party.

After our bachelorette party photos at the Witch House, we headed just down the street to the Ropes Mansion and Garden. The back of the mansion offered yet another perfectly eerie location to capture more Salem bachelorette party photos, with yellowing foliage and bare tree branches. We had to capture some photos cheesing in front of the house as well—it just screamed New England!

A collage of Sean and her friends behind the Ropes Mansion in Salem, Massachusetts

A collage of solo photographs of Sean and her friends in a garden in Salem, Massachusetts.

Photos taken in front of the Ropes Mansion at Sean's bachelorette photoshoot in Salem, Massachusetts.

If you want a behind-the-scenes look at this photoshoot, Sean also created a reel of her experience at our session. You can watch it here!

I had the best time visiting historic Salem and spending time with these incredible ladies for their bachelorette party photos. I can’t wait to be back for even more Salem photoshoots soon!

Before I close out this post, I also wanted to provide some tips and further insight for if you’re planning a bachelorette weekend in Salem. Read on for some ideas and advice for your Salem photoshoot!

Where to Take Bachelorette Party Photos in Salem

While Salem, Massachusetts is a small city, it still has multiple great options for your bachelorette party photos. The most classic—and perhaps most iconic—of these options is The Witch House, located at 310 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970. It’s where we took the majority of Sean’s Salem bachelorette party photos, and it made for a perfectly witchy background for us. This historic building has a storied past, with direct connections to the Salem Witch Trials back in the 1600s. The Witch House is definitely a memorable place to have your Salem photoshoot!

Another potential location for your Salem bachelorette party photos is the McIntire Historic District. Appreciate Salem’s beautiful architecture and brick walkways as you meander around this area to capture your photos. You’ll spot so many beautiful old homes, and lots of fall decorations or blooming flowers depending on the time of year you visit.

If you’re looking for a nature setting near Salem, you could venture out nearby to Salem Woods Highland Park. This large park features gorgeous scenery that will make a great woodsy backdrop for the spooky photos of your dreams. With water, fields, and forests, you’ll have a variety of backgrounds for your Salem photoshoot that showcase the natural beauty of Salem.

A collage of duo shots with Sean and her best friends in front of the Witch House in Salem, MA.

The Best Time to Have a Bachelorette Party Photoshoot in Salem

When should you take your bachelorette party photos in Salem? Let’s start with time of year. October is obviously the most common month to visit, because Salem’s history lines up well with Halloween themes. Plus, Massachusetts boasts beautiful foliage in early fall.

Autumn is fun and filled with orange leaves, but don’t sleep on the off-season for your visit to Salem! We actually took Sean’s bachelorette party photos in April, and I LOVE how they came out. We had a perfect mix of greenery and dead plants to keep up with our spooky vibe. Plus, there were a lot less people trying to get in the background of our photos.

For time of day, I highly recommend shooting in the early morning to avoid crowds and tourists—especially if you’re planning your Salem bachelorette party weekend in October. You’ll be working with gorgeous, soft morning light, AND you’ll avoid tourists photobombing your pictures. That’s when we captured Sean and her bachelorette party’s photos, and we actually had The Witch House entirely to ourselves!

Of course, golden hour before sunset will also provide beautiful lighting, but just be aware you might be fighting for a spot with tourists at some of Salem’s most well-known locations!

Sean and her friends making moody faces while standing in a flying V formation in front of the Salem Witch House.

Tips for Your Bachelorette Party from a Salem, Massachusetts photographer

Let’s close off with some of my best tips for capturing great bachelorette photos in Salem.

Arrive on time

This might be the most obvious tip, but your photoshoot will go so much smoother if you make sure you arrive on time to meet your photographer. I recommend laying out whatever you’re planning to wear in advance of the shoot, and giving yourself PLENTY of time to get hair and make-up done. Allow for travel time in Salem, especially if you’re driving—it might take longer than planned to get to your destination.

Coordinate to a theme

This is definitely optional, but I think it can really elevate your photoshoot to coordinate your styling to a theme. You’re in Salem, so embrace the witchiness! I love how Sean and her friends were able to coordinate their outfits so they looked like part of a group. Considering having everyone have some element in common—maybe everyone wears the same color, or shares an accessory. This can definitely level up your photos in Salem!

Let go of nerves

While I understand a professional photoshoot can be intimidating, I think my most important tip is to try to let go of your nerves before the photoshoot! Do whatever you need to do to hype up you and your bachelorette party—whether that’s playing your favorite hype music, or taking a shot, do what you need to do to set yourself up to have fun!

There’s no need to be nervous before having professional photos taken—trust your photographer to pose you and capture your vision. I always tell my clients that posing is MY job and all you need to do is show up ready to have a great time!

I hope now you’re feeling ready to take bachelorette party photos in Salem! If you need a photographer for the spooky shoot of your dreams, feel free to message me by filling out my contact form. Or keep exploring the blog here for more photoshoot inspiration.

Happy spooky season!