What costs as much as candy and makes trick-or-treaters smile even more?

A Halloween photo booth, Hill resident Ryan Lovin says.

After Lovin and his wife Swapna moved onto Massachusetts Avenue SE two years ago, they were “amazed at the sheer number of trick-or-treaters,” he said. So, the tax attorney and amateur photographer decided to try something different last Halloween.

He created a Halloween photo booth by renting lights and setting up a backdrop in his front yard. In just a few hours, he took about 450 pictures of more than 600 people.

“Renting the equipment was the same price as getting candy, and it was definitely a lot more fun,” he said Tuesday.

The Lovins will set up the free photo booth in front of their house again on Friday. Trick-or-treaters can look out for it starting at 5 p.m., on Massachusetts Avenue between 13th and East Capitol streets SE.

People who smile (or scowl) for the camera will be able to instantly see their photos on a laptop. The images will then be posted to Flickr, where they can be downloaded for free.

“I was afraid people last year would just walk by our lawn,” Lovin said. “But it really took off. There was quite a line.”