JEFF JENKINS.
Cosplay photos at AkaiCon
I'm Jeff Jenkins, a Nashville-based cosplay and creative-portrait photographer. AkaiCon is close enough that it doesn't take any planning to show up, so it's become one of my regular local stops. I usually drop-in on that Saturday to see friends, and grab a few photos with whoever's build catches my eye, rather than running a full booked schedule like I do at my travel cons. If you would like to coordinate a session at AkaiCon, I am totally open to taking on projects that Saturday.
A local con on my regular calendar
AkaiCon runs out of the Farm Bureau Expo Center in Lebanon, about 30 minutes east of Nashville, and it's grown into a solid multi-fandom weekend, over a decade running now. There's a 20,000+ square foot dealer and artist hall with 70-plus vendors, live music and an EDM dance party at night, and it stays genuinely fun, which is part of why I keep coming back.
A couple years ago I ran a panel there on the ethics of working with cosplayers, paired with a practical lighting demo on a tethered camera. That's really the tone of my whole relationship with this con: less about a packed booking sheet, more about being part of the event.
I don't set up a formal shooting schedule at AkaiCon the way I do for Dragon Con or MegaCon, but I always bring a camera and I'm happy to grab a few shots if we cross paths and the timing works out. Character build details and reference pics help if you want to setup a session with me and plan ahead, but plenty of my favorite AkaiCon shots have come from just spotting someone in the hallway.
How it works at a local con
Say hi
Message me ahead of time and let me know you're going and want to coordinate a time, or just flag me down on the floor.
Grab a few photos
If schedules line up, we'll find a decent corner of the hall and get a couple of photos.
I'll send them over
Whatever we get, be sure to send me a DM on Instagram, let me know it was you, what your email address is, and what cosplay you were in. When I finish editing, I'll send you a link to download them.
Say hello at AkaiCon
I'm not running a formal booking schedule at AkaiCon, I'm there as a local, same as most of the crowd. If you'd like a real shot at grabbing a few photos by me, leave your email below and tell me who you're bringing to life, or just catch up with me at the show.