As a Mid Wales event photographer, I recently had the pleasure of capturing Plas Dolguog’s first-ever Halloween party — complete with eerie lighting and themed rooms courtesy of Light Em Up, plus unforgettable storytelling by local performer Miss Popularity (Tess Cartwright). Take a look at how this creative event came to life and why it’s one to watch for next year.
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This Halloween, I had the pleasure of photographing one of the most imaginative local events I’ve seen in a long time — a full evening of spooky fun at Plas Dolguog, the beautiful country house and hotel near Machynlleth, Mid Wales.
The evening began with a children’s Trick or Treat and Disco, which completely transformed the hotel into a Halloween wonderland. Each guest room became a themed Trick or Treat stop, where children knocked on doors to discover what spooky surprises lay behind them. From the classic Grim Reaper to a pair of ominous, orange scientists with a horse’s head, every corner of Plas Dolguog had something unexpected lurking in the shadows.
Adding to the atmosphere was a special highlight — storytelling by a scary scarecrow, brought brilliantly to life by “Miss Popularity” (Tess Cartwright). Tess, a talented local international performer, balloon artist, and creative director, captivated the children with her spooky tales and theatrical flair, making the evening truly memorable for families and little ones alike.
The hotel itself looked incredible, thanks to the creativity of the team and the stunning lighting design provided by Light Em Up, who gave the venue a dramatic feel worthy of any Halloween stage. From flickering shadows to eerie glows, the atmosphere was absolutely spot-on.
Once the childrens' party wrapped up, the hotel switched gears for an adults-only Halloween rave that carried on well into the early hours. Costumes, lights, music, and a buzzing energy filled the space as everyone embraced the spirit of the night.
As a rule, I like to arrive early for any event I’m photographing. The more you can learn beforehand, the better prepared you are — and the less chance there is of any surprises on the day. Especially when it comes to such a unique event like this one! That said, every now and then, a photographer finds themselves in a situation where they just have to hit the ground running. With both Steph and myself juggling hectic schedules in the run-up to the big night, this was definitely one of those occasions. Sometimes, you simply have to dive straight in and start capturing the magic as it happens.
My brief for the evening was simple — to create a set of striking promotional images that captured just how incredible this first Halloween event was. The above images are the result of a couple of hours of pure madness, captured in the midst of all the spooky fun.
Plas Dolguog is fast becoming a hub for creativity, community, and fun in Mid Wales and I can’t wait to see what they dream up next.
If you’re planning an event, celebration, or party in Mid Wales, it’s hard to beat the unique charm of Plas Dolguog & their amazing team. And of course if you are looking for a professional event photographer who can capture the true energy and atmosphere of your special occasion, I’d love to help.
📸 Visit www.danjonesimages.co.uk to see more of my work or get in touch.