Rome Halloween Photoshoot Could Give You Nightmares

Check out this cool Halloween photoshoot on the railroad tracks behind Rome Free Academy of the Grady Twins from the 1980 psychological horror film The Shining.

Shannon Cortese-Artigiani and her sister Amanda Cortese of Rome LOVE Halloween, and this year they joined forces with Lisa Curtis for a spectacular haunted photoshoot. A first for both.

Shanon says when her oldest son, Richie (now 16) was 2 years old, he developed a sort of obsession with The Wizard of Oz, the Tin Man, specifically. He wanted everyone to dress up on Halloween 2006. Shannon had just given birth to little Noah, and there were now enough participants to round it out.

I was Dorothy, my sister was the Scarecrow, Richie the Tin Man, and baby Noah was the Lion. And Halloween themes were sort of born. Sometimes we just did the kids in a theme, like when the two boys were Napoleon and Kip Dynamite. But eventually, my sister and I figured if there was going to be a theme every year, we could really just go for it, so we chose a theme every year including the kids.

The sisters have pulled off a Saturday Night Live theme, a Tim Burton character theme, a famous movie duo theme, a Clockwork Orange theme. Last year, they did Pee Wee's Playhouse, "Which was a lot of work, but it was amazing," says Shannon.

Romans look forward to the big reveal on Halloween. Shannon tells us:

We keep it a secret every year. We get a lot of texts trying to get us to give up the theme, or just a lot of positive messages about how much people are looking forward to seeing what we've come up with. It really has taken on a life of its own, and my sister and I feel some pressure to keep producing good themes.  It really is a fun family bonding event. Thankfully, my kids are willing and eager participants.

Lisa Curtis has been the family photographer for many years, especially for Shannon's daughter Caelyn. "They have developed such a connection that they can almost work without speaking or direction: she says.

When Lisa suggested a Halloween photoshoot this year, the sisters loved the idea and dug out The Shining costumes. Shannon said, "For the kids, I just tried to do some creepy makeup that would hopefully photograph well. I think they came out phenomenally! Super eerie!"

Below are the Halloween photos that feature Shannon Cortese-Artigiani, her 3 children, and sister Amanda Cortese. They were photographed by Lisa Curtis (LC Photography, 315-335-2739) on the railroad tracks behind Rome Free Academy. You should give it a try!