My Cosplay Photography Journey: Tips for Aspiring Photographers
Introduction:
I started my journey into cosplay photography in the vibrant Orlando, FL area, where the cosplay scene was already thriving. Conventions in Orlando draw huge crowds of enthusiastic fans, for instance, Star Wars Celebration 2017 in Orlando saw over 70,000 attendees and the community of cosplayers and creators is amazing. From day one I was fortunate to be welcomed warmly by the local cosplayers and photographers. I spent a lot of time on social media researching local cosplay hashtags (like #CentralFloridaCosplay and #OrlandoCosplay) to find people and events in the area. This online exploration helped me discover upcoming conventions and connect with local cosplayers. By engaging through these hashtags and even posting “Looking forward to shooting at __Con! DM me if you want to meet up and shoot!” I began to network before I ever set foot at a con. (Using con-specific tags to find and follow people is a great way to get involved, for example, check the tags of the cons you go to and follow people from there.) These early connections made me feel a lot less like an outsider when I showed up with my camera for the first time.
Starting Out in Orlando’s Cosplay Scene
My first convention ever with a camera in hand was Star Wars Celebration (the last time it was held in Orlando). I still recall the thrill of that event, Star Wars costumes everywhere, from Jedi and Sith to droids and Mandalorians. I hadn’t even started using off-camera flash yet; I was just shooting with the nasty indoor light and cranking the ISO. But even without fancy gear, I was hooked by the experience of capturing cosplayers bringing beloved characters to life. There’s something magical about the moment a cosplayer steps into a pose and you frame that perfect shot. After Star Wars Celebration ignited my passion, I found out about and headed to MegaCon Orlando, one of Florida’s biggest fandom conventions. MegaCon that year had a stellar lineup of guest cosplayers attending, I was starstruck to see some famous cosplay personalities in person, that I had been already following for awhile on Instagram. I also saw many of the local photographers that I had started to follow in the community, near such talent was inspiring, but also a bit intimidating as a newcomer. So, I decided to take my journey slow and treat every interaction as a learning opportunity.
At those first few cons, I observed how things worked and practiced a lot in my personal time, using a stool and moving my flash around to see how the light was painted on a still subject as I rotated the light and adjusted my camera’s settings. I’d converse with more experienced photographers and we’d talk gear, locations and dealing with the busy con floor. I would learn thru conversations and observing how cosplayers interacted with photographers and attendees. Orlando’s community had plenty of seasoned creators, so there was no shortage of great examples. Thru practice and approaching each situation with complete professionalism I noticed, that the best method for approaching a cosplayer for a shoot was when I politely asked a cosplayer for a quick shoot away from the busiest crowds, rather than snapping in the middle of a hallway. Over time, I worked up more and more confidence to approach cosplayers, asking if they’d be interested in taking a few photos. To my relief, almost everyone was very friendly and happy to collaborate – especially since I approached with genuine enthusiasm and respect for their craft. In fact, some of the people I met in that first year became great friends whom I still talk to and shoot with to this day! The key was immersing myself in the community with a friendly attitude and a willingness to learn. It’s amazing how far a smile and a humble “Could I please take your photo? Your cosplay is awesome!” can go.
Respect, Etiquette, and Building Your Reputation
One of the most important lessons I learned early on was that respect and etiquette are everything in the cosplay community. Remember, cosplayers put countless hours (and dollars) into their costumes, and they attend cons primarily to have fun, not to be models at a photographer’s beck and call. So how you approach them makes a huge difference. I made it a personal rule to always ask before photographing someone, even if they were already posing for someone else. I never “sniped” photos (i.e. shooting over another photographer’s shoulder without permission). This approach isn’t just my personal preference, it’s considered standard etiquette at conventions: you should always ask someone’s permission before taking their picture, even if they’re already posing for someone else. Doing so gives the cosplayer a chance to say yes or no, and if yes, to then pose specifically for you and look at your camera. The result is a better photo and a happy cosplayer. If someone ever says no or looks busy, I simply thank them and move on. There are plenty of other cosplayers to photograph, and it’s not worth ruining someone’s day by being pushy.
Being respectful also means being mindful of other photographers and the general flow of the convention. If I spotted a cosplayer in an amazing outfit, I’d make sure they weren’t in a hurry or taking a break (never stop someone who’s eating or on the way to the restroom…just don’t). I also avoided interrupting when I saw a cosplayer already in an organized photoshoot with another photographer. In those cases, I might linger nearby and wait until they’re done, then politely ask the cosplayer for a quick shoot afterward. But I would never jump in front of another photographer’s shot or start directing the cosplayer during someone else’s shoot, that’s a huge no-go that will annoy everyone. Basically, be patient and take turns, the cosplay world is surprisingly small and you don’t want to get a bad reputation by being “that rude photographer.”
On the flip side, being friendly and professional will do wonders for your reputation. I approached each cosplayer as a fellow fan first and a photographer second, often starting with a compliment on their costume or a geeky comment if I recognized the character. This helped break the ice and showed that I genuinely appreciated their work. If they agreed to photos, I’d maybe take 3-5 minute shoots, show them a preview on the camera screen, and always say thank you afterward. I made sure to have business cards on hand too. It’s good practice to offer a cosplayer your card or Instagram handle so they can find your account and contact you. The cosplayers generally love seeing and sharing the photos you took of them, that’s one way your work can spread positively through the community. By being courteous and delivering nice images, you increase the chances that cosplayers will want to work with you again or even recommend you to their friends. In fact, word travels fast in this community: a photographer who is fun to work with and respectful will quickly become known, and so will a photographer who is creepy or rude. You are always representing your own brand, so conduct yourself in a way that people only have good things to say about you.
The mantra “Cosplay is not Consent” is something you’ll see posted at conventions and it underpins how we should behave. In practical terms for photographers, it means you should never assume it’s okay to take someone’s photo or touch them or their costume without explicit permission. Always treat cosplayers (of any gender) with respect and courtesy, just as you would want a photographer to treat you. Sadly, there have been incidents of unwelcome behavior in the past, hence the community’s emphasis on this message. But the good news is, if you follow these etiquette rules and keep things professional, you will stand out as a trusted photographer.
In short: Always be friendly, patient, and respectful. Ask permission, respect boundaries, and remember that every interaction is building your reputation. If you do this, you’ll succeed in making friends and establishing yourself in the community far more than any fancy camera will.
My Run-and-Gun Gear Setup
Let’s talk gear for a moment because I know many new photographers are curious about equipment. When I started, I used a Sony A7R II. That camera served me so very well with its high resolution and image quality. A couple of years ago I upgraded to the Sony A7R IV. I’m actually eagerly awaiting any news on the Sony A7R VI (or next iteration) to see what new features might make shooting even better.
Aside from the camera body, the biggest game-changer in my setup was adding off-camera flash to my convention photography. These days, depending on the convention, I use 1 or 2 Godox AD200 strobes in a 32-inch octagonal softboxe as my go-to lighting rig. The AD200 is a fantastic “run-and-gun” light. This setup is portable enough for me to carry around the con floor all day. Portability is key – I’ve learned not to overpack gear for conventions because you’ll be on your feet moving constantly.
To trigger the off-camera flash, I use a wireless transmitter (Godox’s X system triggers) on my camera’s hotshoe. This one-light setup is simple, quick, and effective, which is perfect for the fast-paced environment of a convention.
For lenses, I like fast primes like a 85mm f1.4 when I have room to move around, but mostly I’ve been sticking with my 24-70mm f2.8 for flexibility in any environment.
Final Thoughts for New and Experienced Cosplay Photographers
Whether you’re a total newcomer to photography or a seasoned shooter entering the cosplay arena, here are some key tips I’ve learned from my journey:
- Respect Comes First: Always ask cosplayers for permission before shooting.
- Build Relationships & Network: Be friendly and genuine. Offer cosplayers your card and Instagram handle.
- Learn by Observation: Spend time watching how experienced photographers work.
- Keep Gear Simple & Handy: You don’t need a full studio setup.
- Be Adaptable and Safe: Con environments are unpredictable.
- Have Fun and Be Creative: This is a hobby and an art.
Conclusion:
From my beginnings nervously wandering the halls of Orlando conventions with a camera, to now feeling at home among crowds of cosplayers, it’s been an incredible journey. Cosplay photography has not only improved my technical skills but also brought me into a wonderful community of fellow fans and artists whom I’m proud to call friends. If you’re a new photographer just starting out, I encourage you to dive in – attend a local con, respect the etiquette, snap some photos and share them. If you’re a seasoned photographer from another field, welcome to a whole new world of creative possibilities. In cosplay photography, community and creativity go hand in hand. By respecting the people, learning continuously, and having fun, you’ll find yourself hooked just like I was. Grab your camera – and may the Force be with you on your cosplay photography adventures!