Cosplay photography is a gold mine! Not only are conventions a space full of passionate and understanding people, but they’re also perfect subjects for amazing photos. With anime cons and cosplay culture getting bigger and bigger — it’s high time for you to jump on the trend.
But before you grab your gear and book a flight to a big cosplay convention expecting to rake in cash, there’s a few things that you need to know!
Why cosplay photography?
1. It’s a passion-driven community
It’s not every day that you can capture the essence of a character that people have put their blood, sweat, and tears into portraying. With every stitch, prop, and wig — is a labor of love that you have to give justice to in the final product.
With that passion also comes a lot of energy! It’s not enough for you to show up and snap photos, you have to uplift the cosplayer and make sure they stay in character. So, pull out all the stops and match the energy that they’re giving for the entire shoot, and have fun with it!
2. The demand is through the roof!
Anime is getting bigger than ever! The younger generation are tuning in to weekly episode releases for their favorite show, and even adults are loving the time that artists put behind every episode. Because of this, cosplay has also risen in popularity.
Many cosplayers spend months perfecting their outfits, so when they suit up — they want pictures that make them feel like preparing for the convention was worth the effort. Conventions aren’t the only events that require a photographer either! Cosplayers also scout photographers for their private photoshoots to share to their thousands, if not millions, of followers.
3. It’s a gateway to bigger opportunities
Just like many skills, the knowledge you acquire during your stint in cosplay photography is transferable to different niches. You don’t just show up to a shoot guns blazing and take random shots. For you to expand your clientele and get good reviews, you have to work well with clients, master lighting, guide poses, and perfect composition.
Regardless of where you want to branch off, being adaptable and learning how to make your pictures tell a story is a valuable skill in any industry. Additionally, the network that you accumulate in cosplay photography is massive! You’ll be in contact with influencers, costume designers, and other professional photographers who will be in touch with you if your output is high-quality.
Essential gear for cosplay photography
1. A reliable camera
The barrier for entry isn’t incredibly high for cosplay photography. While having good gear is nice, just having a decent DSLR or mirrorless camera with good low-light performance can already get you started.
It’s about who’s behind the camera that matters, so brush up on the basics and be creative!
2. A versatile lens
There’s no need to lug around five different lenses! Oftentimes, cosplay photographers are needed in environments that demand you to be on your feet and ready to move at any time.
A good 50mm prime lens is a solid choice since it’s great for portraits, but a 24-70mm zoom lens is also great if you want a little more flexibility.
3. External flash or softbox
While some conventions are outdoors and have a lot of natural lighting, oftentimes — you’re going to have to work with the lighting you get in indoor settings. Having a portable softbox or an external flash can help you get perfect shots without harsh shadows when you’re shooting inside the convention!
4. Editing Software
This one is a no brainer. Post processing in an editing software helps you apply the final touches on the shots you captured on the day of the event. Lightroom and Photoshop are a couple of famous options, but it all boils down to preference at this point — so work with what you’re comfortable with.
Where to find cosplayers to shoot
1. Anime conventions
Cons are the perfect playground for beginners and pros alike. Anime conventions are a melting pot of characters, each with their own gimmick and unique costumes just waiting to be captured and shared!
These events are also incredibly high energy, so there’s a bunch of models who are willing to let you take a few photos of them — and also a healthy selection of well-designed backdrops. It’s all about being charismatic (but also respectful) enough to approach people and ask them to be your subject for a couple of shots.
Don’t know where to find these conventions? Follow anime influencers, cosplayers, and convention-specific groups! Anime events are a dime a dozen, and many cosplayers book photographers in advance. This is your opportunity to schedule shoots with cosplayers instead of hoping that random people are willing to pay you on the day of the con.
2. Social media and online communities
Speaking of following groups, social media is the best place to look for opportunities to work for a cosplayer in general. A huge number of people are always looking to showcase their cosplays on Instagram, TikTok, and even on Reddit!
Don’t be afraid to send a message to a couple of cosplayers showcasing your portfolio, or better yet, look at dedicated threads where cosplayers link up with photographers for future projects. Be active on social media by commenting on posts and sharing your work as well to create organic interactions with other people.
3. Local cosplay meetups
If conventions are too much for you, you can try starting off at shooting for local cosplay meetups instead! Some cities have these events regularly in places like parks, plazas, or anime themed cafes. These are low-pressure, and photographers can set up the shoot for whatever time they’d prefer instead of worrying about the constrained schedule of a con.
These small meetups also give you a lot more variety with the backgrounds that you can use during the shoot. Imagine being able to find gritty architecture for a dystopian anime character or a field of grass where swordsmen can clash. The options are limitless!
Tips for capturing stunning cosplay photos
1. Plan your shots
Before a shoot, always do your research on the character you’re going to be using as a subject. Look up their signature poses, their behavior, or even some of the expressions that the character usually has. Are they easygoing and nonchalant? Or are they more serious and straight to business?
All of this research matters because it will set the tone of how the shoot is going to go. Understanding all of these details can help you mentally prepare for the shoot in advance or help you guide the cosplayer during the shoot itself. The little details matter, so save a couple of reference images or watch a few clips of the character before the day of the event!
2. Choose the right background
Just because the venue for the con is non-negotiable, doesn’t mean that you can’t relocate for a bit during the shoot. Conventions can get a little hectic, so a cluttered convention floor isn’t always the ideal place to shoot.
Having the right background can make or break a photo, so transferring to a place that better suits the character elevates the shot and makes it more authentic. Take the shoot to the street if your character has a Cyberpunk look or take it to an open field with trees if they’re straight out of the Edo period like in Demon Slayer!
Pictures should always tell a story, so make every shot feel more cinematic and immersive.
3. Capture candid moments
You don’t have to orchestrate every photo. Some of the best cosplay photographs are the ones that you take during unscripted moments. Cosplayers interacting with others, adjusting their weapons, or even just having a little laugh with the people around them.
A perfectly timed shot at a raw moment can capture the spirit of cosplaying as a whole — and also shows the cosplayers beyond their planned poses. Always be ready to snap a quick picture, because you never know when you’ll get the money shot!
4. Respect and communication
If you are just roaming around an anime con with a camera in hand, don’t be the creep who takes photos of people without asking. See someone that would be the perfect subject for a quick impromptu photoshoot? Always approach them and ask them for their consent first.
A simple and quick question can go a long way, and if they love your photos — this can be a good segway for you to exchange contact information. Cosplayers aren’t playthings for you to direct and take photos of without their discretion. Make them feel comfortable, and they’ll be more cooperative and enthusiastic in your photos.
How to earn from cosplay photography
1. Build an online portfolio
We’re in the digital age, social media is basically free traffic for your services! Upload your portfolio on Instagram, Twitter, or any other social media platform and actively advertise it to your clients and in the events that you’re participating in. Don’t be discouraged if your follower count gains followers slowly, it’s all about being persistent and having a consistent upload schedule to slowly get the hang of the algorithm.
2. Sell prints or digital copies
A lot of photographers in the market make extra income by offering high-quality prints of their shots at their conventions. Cosplayers are sentimental, so having a physical copy of their shots can be a good memento to remember the con and the costume that they wore. If you can ask for the cosplayers permission, you can also sell the prints to other people who may think that the image is worth buying.
3. Partner with cosplayers and brands
Speaking of exclusive content, some cosplayers monetize their cosplays through Patreon or Ko-fi, so they generally seek out photographers for specialized shoots! Once you’ve built up a good reputation and a solid portfolio, try collaborating with cosplayers and brands for their content libraries.
Jump in and ride the trend!
Cosplay photography is a fun and creative avenue for you to grow your reputation as a seasoned photographer. The blend of artistry, storytelling, and rising anime culture brings out all the good traits of a photographer — and even helps you break into an untapped market!
With every con that you go to and every click of the shutter, is an opportunity to showcase cosplay to the world and display your skills as a master of composition and portraits. So, bring out your inner otaku, bump up your enthusiasm, and step into the mystifying world of cosplay photography, one character at a time!
