✦ We must be strong, and we must be brave ✦

A slice of life from San Fransokyo's Lucky Cat Cafe

Big Hero 6 cosplay Hiro •  Jin (me) / Tadashi •  Miguel / Aunt Cass • Kat photos by Reskiy

This photo was really hard to take but definitely worth it! My crossbows are wood so they are pretty heavy, and my knee is just above the ground so holding that pose was a challenge! It’s one of my favorites from this shoot though!

First off, be flexible! Cosplayers are naturally SUPREMELY picky. We have to be if we want to be as accurate as possible. Let your cosplayer direct you as much as you direct them. Of course– as a photographer you probably know better about lighting and angles, but listening to their suggestions and making helpful ones of your own makes the photoshoot feel more collaborative.

Communication is key. Some cosplayers hate being touched or directed. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. Some NEED it but they are too scared to say so. A nice “Is it all right if I move your hair for you?” helps distinguish the boundaries. ASK them if they have ideas for poses or if they need some for you. ASK THEM ABOUT THEIR CHARACTTERRERRRRR. For reals. Especially with shyer cosplayers not experienced in posing, helping them flesh out the characters personality will allow you to form an idea about what the shoot should feel and look like. Nothings worse than people asking me to do cutesy poses for a badass character. I have to say “Uhhh they wouldnt really do that” But sometimes you get a cosplayer who is inexperienced and can’t pose themselves. You may get a bit frustrated when they stand like a statue, for over 50 pics. This is where the “Do you mind if I give you pose ideas or help pose you?” comes in. 

That being said, looking up the character on your phone is a good idea. Plus you get ideas for pose references.

IMPORTANTE PHOTOGRAPHER BROWNIE POINTS:

-ASKAKSKSKAKSASSKK!!  “Can I move your hands for you?” “Is it okay if I touch you to move your hair?” “Will you follow me to a better location for a mini shoot?” “Can I tag you on instagram?” “Do you have a card?” Talk to me!! ;_;

-You ask and take me to a non-hallway spot for a more ‘on location’ shoot. SOLID. I am happy!!!!! Mini photoshoots are ALWAYS my favorite thing. Just be sure to ask me if 1.)  we have time for one. 2.) TELL ME WHERE IT IS. If its far and I’m in heels I may not want to go! 

-You show me a couple of shots and ask if I want a specific picture of some kind. (I always do!) 

-YOU HAVE A BUSINESS CARD AND ASK FOR MINE. 

-USE MY BUISNESS CARD TO TAG ME ON INSTGRAM/facebook/youtube/tumblr. A+++GOODSHIT++ I love you forever!!! 

-You send me a message after the con just to say hi and thanks! This helps me connect with you so we can maybe schedule another shoot for the next con if I liked your work! I have a 90% shoot again with this photographer rate if you DO THIS! 

-Timely photo returns. A couple months after is acceptable. But if its been a year, I’ve forgotten about you and wont go out of my way to shoot with you again.

- A conversation about photoshopping/prints. This is mostly for me. But I need to know whether or not I can shop the photos you took or if I can make them prints. Some photographers dont want their work edited, or they want to be paid copyright. Thats fine, but I need to know! I like being the one to edit my own photos, so if your handing them over to me, please be aware of what your own rules are!!! -If you want a private shoot, messaging me BEFORE the con and asking me for a schedule time is great. ****especially if I am a guest cosplayer. we get hella fucking busy and I dont want to seem rude if I dont have the time to shoot with you if you just walk up to me at a con****** COMMUNICATION makes a shoot go smoothly. As does DECISIVENESS. Your in control in the end because you have the camera. 

When your shutter starts going off I will start posing. I can’t see your screen – YOU CAN. Your the one who knows if I have a double chin, or the light is gleaming off my prop too much. SPEAK UP and tell me whats on your mind.