The Asylum Photography

Featuring: Little_Em_Cosplays

As cosplay became widely known around the globe, I've seen a ton of international cosplayers who have done an amazing job on their costumes and character portrayal. Some of them only recently joined but already achieved a bunch of great cosplays in the community.

One of my favorite things is getting to know a person even more and look deeper into their perspective. Given the chance to interview with someone involved in the hobby makes it even more compelling.

Emma, or mostly known as @little_em_cosplays on instagram, started cosplaying way back in 2014. Having first hand experience to seeing cosplayers at a convention, she instantly fell in love with it and she even bought her first cosplay that very same weekend.

Starting off with her Chihiro cosplay from Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away, you cannot deny her love for this movie as well as her eagerness to become the character. This experience made her feel confident, hence why she decided to pursue with creating more cosplays from then on.  

For Emma, cosplaying has been a great distraction for her from the stress of mundane life as well as a creative outlet. This also helped her keep herself grounded just by seeing other people's positive reaction to her cosplays most especially when she can see the joy in them. It fuels the inspiration and drive to continue doing what she truly love.

Just like most people, Emma expressed her biggest pet peeve in the community as those who shame others for how they look and how their costumes were made. Gracefully believing that everyone should never drag someone down, and treat others like a family.

Emma hopes to evolve her craft and use it to earn a living while doing what she loves. Making it more than a hobby, she wants it to also be something that could sustain her needs. Who doesn't want to get paid while being creative and happy, right?

She told us that her current favorite as of today is her version of Batgirl amongst all of those she cosplayed so far. Giving us the clear view why she choose it, she expressed how much she love DCU which made Batgirl as one of her dream cosplays.

We sneaked a question to her asking her thoughts about the adaptation of Batgirl (which was supposed to be Batwoman) series, saying "Technically that's Batwoman, and I honestly didn't like the series. I think it was a bit too forced." With only 3.5/10 rating on IMDB and 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, well, looks like the interwebs agreed with her on that. (Also, we're sorry for the Batgirl-Batwoman mistake! Please forgive us! (〒﹏〒)

Emma told us that she would like to dedicate her cosplays to children with CP and other life-changing illnesses. Telling us that they're the true superheroes while also showing us a photo of her with a little kid in wheelchair as it completely left us in awe for having such a wonderful advocacy.

Wrapping up the interview with her was one of the most challenging since we really love to know more about her. As of now, she would love to leave a message for the cosplay community and to anyone who wants to start cosplaying;

"For anyone that would like to start cosplaying, start with a character you truly love, and don't let ANYONE discourage you from achieving it. To those already in the community, I want to thank you for your continuous support."

When I was growing up, I would remember sneaking to my brother’s room, and open his cabinet and rummage to his collection of comic books. DC and Marvel were my world, and brought my imagination to a whole another world of superheroes, super-villains and its lore.  And when I was invited to cover a shoot of the Gotham City Sirens, there was no hesitation, I took this challenge and am proud of the result, and this is the best I have done.

Gotham City Sirens is an American comic book series was written by Paul Dini with art by Guillem March and published by DC Comics. The term Gotham City Sirens refers to three of the most popular female characters that inhabit Gotham City, which include Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy.

I did a small interview with the 3 cosplayers, Kia who took on the role, Ana handled Harley, and Lara was Poison Ivy. 3 who were pretty much veterans and been part of cosplay community for quite some time who proudly shared their experiences.

So Kia, Ana and Lara, How did you get into cosplay?

Kia: For me since  I was a kid  I love  anime and I was  inspired  with cosplayers  in  cons also  I love  to dress up like  my  favorite characters  ^^ coz  I was inspired  with  each anime  Manga  cartoons and games  that are  being cosplayed.

Ana: I heard cosplay originally from Alodia Gosiengfiao. Then I thought of actually trying it since I'm quite a geek about lots of things. My elder sis and I are gamers. We often talk about lots of things about games, then also about watching anime and cartoons on TV. So that became a thing, basically… Then I met a friend in 2015 and we thought that, hey maybe we can cosplay cause we like AOT and yeah, and so we did. Haha!

Lara: Ever since I was in kindergarten I already loved watching anime, of course at that time I didn't know what it was called, like most people, I called them cartoons but I was always obsessed with them. I would monopolize the tv just to watch Yu Yu Hakusho or Fushigi Yuugi but I had no idea what cosplaying was or conventions were. The first time I heard about it was from my cousin who usually cosplayed characters from DOTA but the first time I really got motivated to cosplay was when I attended a convention in 2011, Animax Convention I think? I saw a lot of cosers that day that I literally freaked out, I dragged my siblings around chasing cosplayers just to get a picture that was when I started dreaming of cosplaying.

What was you first cosplay, where and when?

K: First  cosplay was popstar ahri  at BOA (Best of Anime) since  2015.

A: Mikasa Ackerman, from Attack on Titan. Ozine Fest 2015

L: The very first time I actually cosplayed was in 2015 at Ozine Fest, I was the adult version of Mikuru Asahina from the anime Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

Cool, what do you look for in a character?

K: Actually  I like  a lot of things  in  a character, first  is I like pretty  seductive innocent types  also  most of  the time  I like a character  that  is based on  myself,  personally etc.

A: I look for the one that suits me and my personality, first of all. Second, if it kinda fits (or if I could possibly reach) its body built and shape. And last, AESTHETIC APPEAL. I'm kinda OC on this and the very last detail.

L: When I cosplay, I don't specifically have a thing I look for; it's more on how I feel about the character. What I noticed is that I usually gravitate towards cute lolis, busty bishoujos and sometimes characters that just ooze sex appeal. Haha! To be honest everything depends on my mood since it affects how I wanna look and how you feel will definitely show on how you portray the character. Knowing them is important too since it helps a lot when it comes to posing and acting but aside from that, it's no biggie for me, as long as you love the character and cosplay, then just go for it!

Lastly, what sort of advice will u give to newbies?

K: Cosplaying  is not  just  a hobby, it  is a expression  of  a cosplayer  that  will bring the  characters  they love  to reality. Bringing  joy accuracy , and being  one  with the  characters  they love.  For the newbie, Enjoy  cosplaying make  friends  and put a smile  to those  people that  are fanatics .  

A: Hmm... Probably in general, try as much as possible to be accurate and give justice to the character; Study and research, well about the character. The best starting point is to begin on something that you love or you like and know the most. Then study the character, how they move or react. Probably learn to be in character as well. Pick a character that suits you or you think that suits you. Be confident when you wear the costume and feel you are the character. And most of all, HAVE FUN! Ps. Learning how to sew and craft is quite a plus when you're starting off in cosplay!

L: Advice for newbies... hmmm, I guess my advice is that a glue gun is your best friend. Hahaha! but on a more serious note, if you're new to cosplaying, don't be afraid to experiment! Keep your mind open to all the new and exciting possibilities you will experience in cons or photoshoots. Enjoy every small thing and no matter what happens, have fun! don't get into it just because you think it’s a fast way to become popular, do it because you love it, that way you'll enjoy yourself waaaaay more… Oh and be creative af XD that way you'll be able to save way more and if you're starting out, no need to go all out, personally I like going to thrift shops and buy clothes and stuff there and just modify and make adjustments to it for my cosplays so it would be easier and good for the budget…

It’s May 3rd of 2017, past 7, winds blowing to my room, a small breeze fills it, the day has ended, and the temperature still feels like 38 degrees. A once quiet room, shaken up by noises from the tracks from the iPad from the other room, and music from Fleetwood Mac, as the “The Chain”, plays on. Footsteps walking around, the closing of a creaking door, snapping to lock. Passing cars by the main road can be heard, as dogs continue to bark at it. The flood of light illuminates my room from the nearby street lamp, and I pause, staring at this white page, wondering what to type?

It’s been a long time since my last entry to my blogs; it took me almost half a year, before I decided it’s time to write again. Inspiration, or simply pure boredom, and a few cans of Dr. Pepper in which convinced me, maybe it’s time to go back. I have been busy everyone, with my social, work and personal life – I haven’t been attending much conventions like I used to nor am I busy with the photo shoots that keep my month booked to the last week. What kept me busy was working on the food business with my chef – whom I am partnering to put up a Gastropub, A Surf Food Shack, and Food Street – away from the creative hands and juices, or the comforts of my camera. I needed the money and this will help me prepare my studio. I have been also working with other photographers, agencies, sending ideas, concepts, and the like, and produce events and mentor new breeds. Yes, I accepted my fate as guru, in which my consulting services, is what I am open to.

A lot has changed for me, I recovered from another case of pneumonia, I have become much not much active as I used to be, for the longest time, I no longer cough pools of blood, the very thing that hindered me from being outgoing – I am thankful that I was nursed back to health. On the side note, I got to travel much lately, I fortunate to go to Baler, and learned to surf, I got to see Batangas again, and walked by its pebble filled beach. I am learning to do videos, and hopefully by then when my new equipment arrives, everything will follow.

My erratic brain has stopped functioning, I pause this writing to check my phone, my body still feels tired, dehydrated despite a cold can of soda is nearby, and the room is filled with the noises from the games being played in the iPad from the room across me. I check my phone searching for ideas, plans, or things to say… And there, I started with a few words, a couple of sentences, pure randomness, hoping, a sheer hope that by the end of this entry, it just makes sense.

I have been struggling to make my mark when I do photos, whether tapping the world of fashion, street photography, and cosplay. It’s a tough world when you are face with people are far more experienced than you are, and every step you take on that ladder, make its harder to come up with all that crowd.

This is why I try my best to fight back, look for ways to get better, to look for tricks, tips, and putting to heart all the feedback from peers, mentors, and also I watch a lot of videos I watch just to see what’s the new trend, what tool, or equipment to add to my arsenal.

I have been called master, “Senpai” but I shrug off the tiles, I admit I am still a student - an apprentice learning trying to put his bearing, and I  feel sometimes not honored of the such great title. But sometimes it puts a smile when I able to mentor someone, guide them, teach what I know and they actually learn something.

And one question they always, “How do I get to be good as you?” and I would always answer with a smile, and say “In the words of Kintaro Oe, Study!”.

Model: Clare Mangapot (@cleareeclire)

I have been attending conventions as far back as 2013, I haven’t stopped since then. It’s a way for me to break my introvert self, and meet new people, meet new friends and meet new opportunities.

This opportunity presented as a photographer. As Photographer, love comes out when you start doing the effort to bring the characters you knew from comics, television and video games to life, and especially to the person who are cosplaying into film.

I see so much passion to those who cosplay, they put effort, the time to make their character believable from the hours of make-up they apply, to doing the arts and craft is not easy.

I owe a lot to these cosplayers who made what The Asylum Photography is right now. They make most of what is my market and demographic - which is strange especially to me, I generally work my photos mostly in fashion, food and landscape, making myself a figure in cosplay photography was never my intention.

Cosplay photography is something I am still trying to perfect or even do better - because its involve an eye to recreate a story. I am not a anime fan myself because on how picky I am with titles I select, I try to capture the aura what they provide, and from there I pick up the story some how. Nonetheless, it’s a fun experience to immerse yourself to a culture, a community - that is why I am involving myself with more projects. I can share right now, It’s not easy.

I have still more in my plate to work on but I will get there. I thank all the people I have met in conventions, thank you for allowing me be part of making your character possible coming to life. I look forward in doing more.

Model: Maria Garcia (@sillykonpeito)

Lolita fashion (ロリータ・ファッション rorīta fasshon) is a fashion subculture originating in Japan that is based onVictorian and Edwardian clothing, but the style has expanded greatly beyond Japan.

The Lolita look began primarily as one of modesty with a focus on quality in both material and manufacture of garments. The original silhouette is of a knee length skirt or dress with either a "cupcake" or "A-line" shape assisted by petticoats, but has expanded into various types of garments including corsets and floor length skirts. Blouses, knee high socks, or stockings, and headdresses are also worn. Lolita fashion has evolved into several different sub-styles and has a subculture that is present in many parts of the world.

Although many people point to Japan as the creator of the "Lolita fashion" and the Lolita trend, the origin of its meaning is complex, and remains unclear. It is likely the movement started in the late 1970s when famous labels including Pink House, Milk, and Pretty (later known as Angelic Pretty) began selling clothes that would be considered "Lolita" by today's standards. Shortly after that came Baby, The Stars Shine Bright, and Metamorphose temps de fille.

In the 1990s, Lolita fashion became better recognized, with bands like Princess Princess coming into popularity at the time. These bands wore intricate costumes, which fans began adopting as their own style. The style soon spread and ultimately reached Tokyo where it became popularized throughout Japanese youth culture. Today, Lolita fashion has gained global popularity and can be found even in department stores in Japan. (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolita_fashion)

Lolita fashion, has been around for quite some time, and it was one of the creative ideas, to do a shoot, inspired by mom, in raising breast cancer awareness. It was last year my mom, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and I had to find ways to raise money to help pay for my mom’s chemotherapy, and by doing so is doing a photo shoot. 

Why lolita? As many people asked me, my mom was a flashy wearer of clothes, it was always colorful or she sometimes wear dark colors such as black, my mom had a fashion sense unlike no other, creative and classic, that’s how I see what lolita is in my mom, there is no clarity, it’s complex but it showcases class, and elegance.

Lolita fashion has not much caught up with the Philippines yet but there is a sub community that is growing. I have done the Lolita shoot last year and it was a success, and the photo below shows the growth of number in season 2. I brought the youth awareness how cancer can be, and I continue to do so in years to come.

Model: Yhu Mei (https://www.facebook.com/Yume-Cosplay-862106397182368/)

Location: The Fort Strip, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig