I’ve been in front of a camera a few times, but none of these experiences fully prepared me for being the one in charge at my first two photo-shoots. As the cosplayer asking photographers to take these photos, the expectation rightly was that I knew what I wanted and the photographers would help me achieve that. I am sure if the request went the other way it would be a somewhat different experience. All in all I was thoroughly unprepared. So to help other make less mistakes than I did here are some of the lessons I learned from my first cosplay photo-shoots:
Photographer: Jansen Hillis
General Thoughts
- It ok to be silly.
- Stay focused.
I got plenty self conscious, but I think being able to not take yourself too seriously can make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone. Also sometimes this can get you cool shots of you twirling in your dress because you can.
- That being said don’t go off the rails too much, stay focused and on task otherwise people will start getting cranky.
- Have Fun!
Getting the shots
- Know what you want.
- Embody the character.
This seems silly obvious, but it helped keep me focused in both photoshoots. it’s ok to have a few very specific shots in mind and also to be somewhat vague, leaving it up to the talents of your photographer. Think about the things you want to highlight in your cosplay (a cool prop, a distinctive character pose) maybe you just want to get at least a front, back, side shot and a close up.
- This is a good way to get poses and faces, let the costume influence your mindset. Are you a spirited teenagers? An assassin? A really annoying fairy? These are all very distinct and focusing on that can give you inspiration for poses/shots/locations whatever!
- Make it about the costume.
- When in doubt, make it about the costume – if you are self conscious or don’t know what to do. Think about showing off the awesome handy work you have done, you will always be your own worse modeling critic.
- Know your costume.
- Know the quirks of it, ways you can and cannot move in it, best angles, worst angles, weird jerry rigging that you need to hide, how to put it on, all the bits too it etc…
- Communicate with the photographer beforehand.
- Practicing in the mirror is not weird.
- Hair then hoods then wigs.
- Photographers know what they are doing.
Something I wish I had done in both cases, sending them either images of your cosplay itself or reference photos so they have an idea of what they will be working with. But also discussing shots and poses your are interested in, so you enter the day with a semblance of a plan which can help everything run faster with less umming and erring.
Get used to making the ‘bad-ass I will kick your butt’ or ‘super sexy vixen’ faces in the comfort of your own home.
If you are shooting multiple cosplays at once the order is very important! I made a few mistakes with mine, whatever requires your hair to look nicest and poofiest should be first, then anything that covers your hair. This may not matter if you don’t have curly hair but I unfortunately shot my Assassin first so my hair way a tad deflated by the time I got the Merida.
- When in doubt trust them, they know what they are seeing in the camera and what will look good in the shot.
Photographer: Eric Thomas
Logistics
- Multiple photographers can be both good and bad.
- Cupcakes are always a good idea (also another snacks and coffee).
- Keep everyone occupied.
- Lighting and hardware.
- Location.
- Costume overload.
At my first shoot I had two photographers, and I feel like they didn’t quite get to do everything they wanted. That being said, two photographers for the pony shoot would have been great. So think about your needs and plan accordingly.
This is especially true for longer or group shoots. I ended the my little pony shoot by getting everyone cupcakes, as a thanks for spending their time on a project for me and getting cold and tired. It’s a simple way of showing people that you appreciate what they are doing for you, and it helps stave off hunger induced anger.
During the pony shoot there was lots of sitting around for people while we did shoots with individual ponies. As we were all friend it wasn’t too big of a deal, but actively avoiding this by scheduling properly (or more through initial planning) can be helpful, providing distractions like games can also be a good idea.
This may be up to your photographer or mother nature, but good lighting can make your pictures really pop. The same goes for having a good camera.
Where you do the shoot is pretty important. A location can give great options for interesting shots, if it fits with the cosplay, like Suzzallo Library and a Trophy Cupcakes for My Little Pony. Having a plain backdrop with great lighting can also work well in making the costume stand out. Just make sure the location doesn’t detract from the cosplay.
If doing multiple costumes in a shoot be wary of how many. After a while just standing around can be exhausting. I did four and by the last one I think we were running out of ideas. So consider the time you have available.
