My Experiences Doing Cosplay Photoshoots

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. As someone who has attended many conventions as a former cosplayer, one of my favorite things to take part of were cosplay photoshoots. They're a great way to be yourself and let your personality loose. I've participated in a few of these and stick around, because I'll hare with you one cosplay photoshoot that was the most enjoyable and memorable. If you're new to Vocal or aren't familiar with my stories, I was a cosplayer for 10 years before retiring last October. Cosplay photoshoots take place either outside of venues where conventions take place or any spot of your choice. While most photoshoots are free, others require a charge in order for the photographer to take amazing shots of you. My very first cosplay photoshoot took place back in 2016 while attending an anime convention, where I went as a genderbent Harley Quinn. I made a mallet to go with my cosplay. Was it the best I've ever made? Probably not, but I had a good time that weekend. I'll share a story about a photoshoot that took place at a local park.

In mid-2021, it was a little over a year into the pandemic. I wasn't attending conventions at the time, because my own health was important. However, I was itching to do a cosplay photoshoot. So, I got in touch with a local photographer who agreed to take some shots of me in a Spider-Man costume I received recently. It was a Symbiote Spider-Man suit, and I took a quick photo of me in it before I headed to the park. I met my photographer at the park, and we got started with the photoshoot. Shown above is my overall favorite shot. After we left the park, we went to another spot to have more pictures of me taken. I had to wait a few weeks to receive the edited photos, and they turned out great.

The second and final photoshoot I'll be discussing is one that's my overall favorite. In early August 2019, I attended a con, which I've been going to for six consecutive years before the Covid-19 pandemic put an end to that streak. The picture that you see for this story is me as Lord Gyaradrakkon. Here's the story behind it: it's a cosplay mashup of Lord Drakkon and the Pokémon Gyarados. I came up with this idea in June 2019, and my cosplay craftsman would be creating a helmet, shield, gauntlets, and a con-approved weapon. The con that I was attending was less than two months away. On the second of the three-day event, I debuted Lord Gyaradrakkon. When I entered the hotel where the con took place, everyone was fascinated about it and wanted pictures with me. That afternoon, I had a photoshoot scheduled with a photographer who was at the con. He was impressed by my cosplay and wanted to snap some shots of me. When we were done, I took part of a group photo with other cosplayers. To this day, I can't find that picture. If I do find it, I'll share it on here and on my social media pages. I then headed to the convention center for pre-judging for the cosplay contest in front of the cosplay judges. If you aren't involved in these online cosplay spaces, it's when the cosplay judges ask you some questions about your cosplay (e.g. if it was made by you or someone else). The next part of this story might have you in the feels. Months before attending this con, a man that I followed on social media tragically passed away. He was also a cosplayer and I enjoyed his social media posts. Even though we've never met in person, I dedicated my Lord Gyaradrakkon cosplay In his memory. His name was Jerry and it's sad that he didn't live long enough to see the final result of it. It was finally time for the cosplay contest. I was ready to show off my cosplay and everyone in the audience loved it. Once every participant had their turn, we waited for the cosplay judges to announce the winners.

The winner for Judge's Choice was yours truly. Yes, I came on the stage and accepted my certificate, which you can see above and later shared on social media. Excuse the misspelling of my cosplay name, but it was my very first cosplay contest win. I won it for Jerry and it was also a win for my cosplay craftsman. I received congratulatory remarks on the aforementioned post I've shared and after the cosplay contest concluded from random people. I went home that night feeling good. I shared the news to my then roommate, which he was very proud of me for accomplishing something huge. I went on to win my second and final cosplay contest at another convention for the same cosplay the following February, way before the pandemic fully interrupted our daily lives.

You've just read both cosplay photoshoot stories. My experiences working with different photographers in the 10 years I was a cosplayer and how much fun I had doing these photoshoots has now inspired me to take up a new hobby: photography. I hope to take amazing photos of cosplayers at cons and one day, become a cosplay photographer. I like my current job. Don't get me wrong. I have no plans of leaving it. I'm just saying that you're never too old to pursue something that you have a deep interest in. This is strictly just a hobby that I want to try out for myself. With my decade-long cosplay experience, as well as working with different photographers, who could ever stop me? No one, that's who.

It's been nearly a year since I've done my final cosplay and attended my final con. I'll still offer cosplay tips and advice to others. Plus, I'll share a throwback cosplay photo every once in a while. If you would like to see more of my cosplays, feel free to check me out on Instagram.

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