There’s nothing quite like Halloween night on Pacific Avenue — a swirling parade of fantasy, fright, and fabulous self-expression. For five years I have had my camera amid the chaos to capture Santa Cruz in all its nocturnal glory.

 

I love Halloween. Maybe it’s my theatre roots, but I’ve always been drawn to the way people reveal themselves when they’re pretending to be someone else, and the beauty of costume creation. Halloween is pure theatre — unfiltered creativity with a touch of shenanigans. And honestly, I love a good portrait and a good costume in equal measure.

 

What follows is a glimpse of the night’s magic: Santa Cruz at its most unmasked — even when everyone’s in disguise. Part of the fun is never knowing who or what will wander in front of my camera next. The idea of the photo collage is hommage to photographer Felix Kunze, who has also been photographing Halloween, in his area, for many years.