Life Updates and Cosplay Photography Tips/Tricks

Hey everyone!

Wow, so it’s been almost 2 months since I’ve written a journal. I apologize, I’m not gone, just crazy busy with work and shoots and what not! For example, in the past month, I was lucky enough to go to Zenkaikon for a day, as well as attend the Ellicott City Photoshoot as an invited guest photographer (My third straight year going!). Needless to say, I haven’t had a lot of time to sit down and write out a full journal. I’ve also got a lot of great stuff coming up. I’ll be in a wedding in Disneyworld in June (which does mean I’ll miss AnimeNEXT as it’s the same weekend). I’ll be attending Dragon Con once again this year, and I plan on being at Baltimore Comic Con for at least one day as well! I also have planned shoots coming up with Interstella5 and MurderNurse so look out for those! I’ve posted everything that I’m going to on here from Zenkaikon, but you can expect to see Ellicott City stuff filtering on to here soon. I will also be starting to take down a LOT of my older work in an effort to clean up my DA.

One thing that I want to do more of this year is Superhero/comic book shoots. Now, this is not to say that I’m going to completely abandon doing other cosplay shoots, (as I’m jazzed about all the Sailor Moon stuff) but I definitely have some cool plans in the works! Hopefully, y’all will start seeing that in the back half of the year!

So, one of the things I’ve talked a lot about during 2014 is me not just sitting behind a keyboard and whining or complaining about the drama and sour-ness in certain parts of the community. So, in addition to just trying to be more upbeat and positive when I’m out during cons or shoots, I’ve decided that I’m going to start doing interviews. I’m going to interview cosplayers and cosplay photographers. I want to talk about what got them into it. What they love about our hobby. I want to talk about their passions and inspirations. Things that actually mean something. So be on the look out for that. I’ll probably start it off as written interviews, and I might move to recorded interviews depending on how it goes. I haven’t decided where I’m going to start these interviews, probably here.

SO, my last journal I promised that I would discuss cosplay photography “tips and tricks”. I’ve done this before, so I apologize if there are repetitions. I’m also going to hit a disclaimer right here: This is all from my own personal experience. Since I’ve done plenty of paid work, I guess you could consider me a “professional” but I’m in NO WAY saying this is a be-all/end-all list. These are my opinions, take them or leave them as you will.

1.) Respect: Have it for others, do your best to show it. This can be very hard, especially given how tumultuous and drama filled our community is these days. In all honesty, there are plenty of people in the community I don’t like being around or speaking with. However, trash talking or just being negative does absolutely nothing for you or anyone else. It makes you look petty and small-minded.

(Side Note: If you have to vent, do NOT go blasting your feelings in public or on social media. You never know who is watching or will see/hear what you’re saying. There are plenty of people whom I will refuse to work with because I witnessed insane drama or rude behavior, both in public places and on FB/Twitter.)

2.) Positive Attitude: I feel that this goes hand in hand with my first point. I, personally, enjoy kidding around and just being a general goofball during my shoots. (I think this is evidenced by my derp albums). I want a relaxed feel during shoots, and I want to inspire/be inspired and allow for improvisation. It’s not always easy to stay upbeat, especially if crap happens, but I find that having a positive attitude just allows for a shoot to go such much better.

3.) Conduct Yourself in a Professional Manner: I don’t care if you don’t consider yourself a professional. For the most part, at least for me, cosplay photography is a hobby. That being said, I do my absolute best to conduct myself as a professional. That includes communication, being on time, and treating my subjects with respect/watching out for them as much as is appropriate. Obviously, I like to have a good time (see point #2), but if you want people to work with you again, half of that decision is what I just stated. You can take magazine worthy pictures, but if you’re a creep, dick, or moron, chances are people won’t enjoy or prefer working with you.

4.) Know. Your. Equipment.: Seriously. There is a reason I try and book a warm-up shoot before every major con/shoot that I do, especially if I have new equipment. I’ve seen photographers lose the confidence of their models as they fumble with new gear during a shoot. Practice and learn before hand.

(Side Note: I’m NOT saying don’t experiment/try new things. Doing that has led to some of my coolest shots. But at least have the fundamentals down on what you’re doing. You want to be able to walk away with something to show from a shoot/having something to give the cosplayer who took time to work with you.)

5.) Location Scout/RESEARCH: If you have the time, I feel as though these two things can enhance or save a shoot. If you’re at a con, have more than one location in mind for a photoshoot! I research the shoots I have lined up, as well as shoot locations compulsively. Because I want to know my layouts, I want to be able to have an idea of the feel that I’m going for during the shoot, and if a location is blocked off, occupied, closed, or weathered out; I want a backup.

6.) Don’t Be Afraid to Direct a Shoot: I’ve been fortunate enough to work with professional models, both during cosplay shoots, and outside of cosplay. I’ve also worked with people who don’t have as much experience. Point #5 on here will help with this. You want to have an idea in your head of what you’re going for. If you’ve ever watched me work (and for those who haven’t), I’ll constantly be shifting angle, giving directions, making adjustments to pose or position. I’ll show the cosplayer what poses I’d like to see, and ask them what they feel comfortable doing/what pictures they’d like to get from the shoot. I’ll give them someone to play off of emotion wise. To be fair, this is a skill I learned in film schools and perfected on sets. But it’s totally doable, and I feel I get more out of a shoot when I do this.
(Side Note: This does NOT mean that I take over a shoot. I have in the past when the cosplayer just didn’t know what they wanted, but collaborations are the best. You want the cosplayer to have input. Listen to them, talk with them, ideally beforehand XD)


So, admittedly, this has been geared towards photographers, but I’m definitely interested to hear what cosplayers have to say! Leave comments, let me know what you think. Experiences, thoughts, things you think people should know! (Do me a favor and keep it drama free!)

...see you space cowboys...

~C