The 2025 Halloween costume photoshoot of our daughter, dressed as a Viking mountain explorer. When we asked over the summer what she would like to create this year, this was her idea and it did not disappoint. After watching the visually impressive live-action remake of “How to Train Your Dragon“, Astrid, who is a teen viking warrior that is smart, determined and has a strong personality, was our daughter’s Halloween costume inspiration. So we began our research online for what a child viking could look like and we made our own version by sourcing clothing items from thrift stores and crafting with accessories we already had.

This is the tenth year that Nova has dressed up and along the way we’ve documented all these theatrical photoshoots with personalized locations. Check out last year’s Stranger Things Eleven costume that we photographed at our local roller rink. Most of her costumes are inspired by movies, shows or books we have all enjoyed together as a family. This was our second time creating imagery up on Mount Lemmon for this annual series. This time we got to explore some new areas that were different from her Wednesday Addams costume. The fall leaves were just beginning to peek and we even discovered a field of autumn-toned ferns and enormous trees with moss on the bark. It couldn’t have been more perfect for her Viking theme.

Yeah, it’s only fun if you get a scar out of it. – Astrid

Hiccup, we just discovered the Dragons’ Nest! The thing we’ve been after since Vikings first sailed here! And you wanna keep it a secret?! Wha– To protect your pet dragon?! Are you serious?! – Astrid

Yeah! You’re the Viking! – Astrid