A Haunting Look Back at the Samhain Photography Workshop 2025 in Limerick
The mystery of Halloween is no longer confined to the shadows—it’s in our portfolios!
My collaborator Avia Gurman Murphy and I (as Fine Art photographers) were delighted to host the Samhain–Halloween Photography Workshop in Limerick, an immersive event dedicated to the art of capturing the supernatural and dark atmosphere. This was a premier photography workshop Ireland offered during the spooky season.
The event was a great success: we welcomed 20 participants in total, split across two full sessions on October 18th and 19th, at the Lumen Street Theatre, an ideally atmospheric venue for our theme.
Morning: Ghosts, Frauds, and Photographic Foundations
Far from simply taking photographs, the morning was dedicated to exploring the roots of mystery photography.
History and Myths
We delved into the fascinating history of spirit photography, studying the early techniques used to create ghost illusions and the major photographic frauds that marked the beginning of the 20th century.
In-Camera Experimentation
This historical knowledge served as the basis for our first practical experiments. Participants in this photography workshop Ireland learned how to manipulate light, movement, and focus to generate ghostly and surreal effects directly in the camera, without relying solely on post-production.
This approach, combining theory and primitive techniques, unlocked raw creativity and a deep understanding of crafting haunted images.
Afternoon: Two Scenes, Twenty Stories in the Heart of the City
The afternoon was the core of content production, with two distinct sets designed to maximize creative exploration. Participants in our Limerick photography workshop had the unique opportunity to photograph models styled by a professional makeup artist, exploring the role both behind and in front of the lens.
1. The Haunted Studio Set: The Broken Doll
We were fortunate to use the space at the Lumen Street Theatre for our first set: a dismembered doll staged in a gloomy setting.
This set allowed participants to work on:
- Dramatic Lighting: Using shadow and directional light to sculpt shapes and intensify the feeling of isolation and strangeness, leveraging the venue’s naturally theatrical atmosphere.
- Misanthropic Composition: Tight framing, low angles, and close-ups on details (hands, eyes, textures) to tell the story of a forgotten presence.
2. Urban Contrast: The Fallen Angel
The second set offered a striking contrast: a Fallen Angel staged directly in the streets of Limerick.
This choice was essential for:
- Challenging the Atmosphere: Integrating a highly stylized and theatrical character into an everyday, urban environment, creating strong visual tension.
- Managing Natural and Artificial Light: Learning to handle city lighting and add auxiliary light sources to accentuate the character’s wings, makeup, and expression. The results are powerful images, a blend of fragile beauty and urban melancholy.
Our models: Eoin Coveney, Viktoriia Hlushchenko & Lauren Blake
Is Your Portfolio Thirsty for Creativity?
If you missed this edition, or if you wish to collaborate on a project that pushes the boundaries of artistic and Fine Art photography, contact us!
- Upcoming Dates & Registration: Workshop Waiting List
- Find out more about us: My Instagram and Avia’s Instagram
Stay tuned to discover more of our artistic adventures!
Who Are We? The Facilitators of the Shadow
This workshop is proof that by combining a solid concept, technical expertise, and passionate collaboration (a big thank you to the Lumen Street Theatre for hosting!), it is possible to create images of unmatched richness and intensity.
Céline Mermier is a French Fine Art photographer based in Ireland, whose dreamy and poetic work earned her the title of Photographer of the Year 2024 in Dublin. She also teaches photography at the College of FET.
Avia Gurman Murphy is an interdisciplinary artist based in East Clare. Her work blends Fine Art photography, ritual, and performance to explore themes of belonging and transformation. Her website here.
Together, we share a passion for teaching and creating images that invite contemplation and emotion.
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