/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

I don't think photographers come to this board anymore.

My goal as a cosplayer is taking my own photos withouth any help (no photographer, no editor, etc).

Cosplay is a hobby we like to do by ouselves. For photographers, it's really best to just take photos of professional models. Cosplayers aren't professional, are broke and you won't get anything from them

Dont be creepy

how do i get a not creepy cosplay photog who will do my costhot lewd shots?

>>10683805
Get someone who is the same sex as you and straight.

>>10681469
Just take pics.
Fuck the cosplayers. That's why they want you to do whether they say it or not.

>>10681469
Don’t photograph cosplayers.

This pandemic showed that “pro” photographers are people from a bygone era where cell phones don’t have amazing camera. All you need is a modern phone and you can do 99.9999999% of what a cosplay photographer can do.

>>10684730
>Fuck the cosplayers.
Please don’t, stay in your own fucking lane and fuck other photographers.

>>10684748
>All you need is a modern phone and you can do 99% of what a cosplay photographer can do
This, especially if you're just posting on social media.

>t. Someone who funds my cons entirely from shoots.

Not casting aspersions here or anything, but if your hobby is photographing children in outfits, you are at least a suspicious person.

Step one: Buy a camera, preferably Sony Cybershot, no point and shoot trash. Don't use a cell phone as a primary camera unless you plan to share your photos on social media a lot, which will drain the battery unless you have portable batteries.

Step two: Take photos every where. In photoshoots and in the halls. You need to gain lots of experience.

Step three: Dont be a dick.

In my humble opinion, you need to build "brand you" before becoming a photographer.

So start donating to progressive causes and do volunteer work for organizations like peta, media matters, or the ACLU. Once you build that repuation, create a website, instagram, and TikTok.

Then use that to go into cosplay photography. Don't forget to emphasize your progressive legacy in your business card. Please for the love of pete, also put your preferred pronouns on the card.

Don't bother, every cosplayer is an entitled cunt, especially the ones who refuse to pay above $100.

>>10684948
cosplay photography is worth $0

>go to cosplay photographers page
>90% of the photos are women's asses
dont be like this

>>10684767
>no point and shoot trash
>Sony Cybershot
Sorry but what? Why would you say no P&S trash, and then go on to recommend Sony's P&S trash?

>>10681469
If you haven't already, it'll be a lot easier if you have other photography hosted on your social media. (Instagram has been the easiest experience by far) I like to put an "ad" post out a few months before the con because I know cosplayers will be checking the Convention hashtag for other cosplayer's plans and might be scouting for photographers if your content or price stands out to them. This is a lot easier for both of you because you'll have it agreed upon before the convention even starts and you can even pre-plan ideas if necessary (location, props, edits, etc) Pricing is up to you but i usually charge something cheap like $20 because i know 99.9% of congoers aren't making money that weekend and i like photography more than i like the money.
Cosplayers that WANT to shoot will absolutely reach out if they find you, like your work and don't think you're creepy

Idk if you plan to charge for your shoots but I really recommend you do because you'll come off as less thirsty. Treat it as a transaction for your photography services, be professional, don't call them hot/sexy/etc, don't wear cargo shorts, yes we're all here for Chinese cartoon figures but you'll go so much farther if you have neat presentation, ESPECIALLY if you want to shoot EGL too. I deadass wear a ~fashionable~ button up (H&M/ASOS lol) to every shoot I do at a convention and then change into my anime shirts AFTER I'm done shooting for the day.
(Cont.)

>>10685690
>>10681469
Also you won't ever see any photographers wearing any signs, we usually have a $1000+ worth of equipment in our hands/hanging from our neck so it's P obvious you're a photographer. It's as simple as walking up to someone and saying "Hey I really like your cosplay! Is it okay if I take a photo?" They're either gonna say yes or no, if they say No, thank them for their time and go on about your business, don't try to convince/beg or get upset because you DAMN sure won't be shooting any cosplays that weekend lol. and def don't take anyone's photos without their permission, it only makes you look bad.

If they say yes then take your pics, make sure to show them to make sure they like it and then you can exchange your info (social media handles/email) to send the photos and most likely they'll follow back and share your work! I promise it's way easier than you think if you aren't being weird about it. You'll get bonus points too if you ask them for permission first before posting their set on your page, i learned this super fast.

Also I can never stress this enough, DON'T EVER TRY TO FUCK/GET NUDES/HARASS YOUR CLIENTS/POTENTIAL CLIENTS. That shit is so rampant in photography and it's REAL BAD with cosplay photographers. These are real people that are trusting you to not be a fucking creep and have no interest other than getting some good photos of their cosplay/coord. I know it's a /P/ meme and "b-but muh costhots" but bruh, nobody wants that shit from you and you aren't the first person to try it.
Having a page full of lewd/sheckshe photos will scare most people away if YOU aren't the model so don't shoot yourself in the foot lmao.

>>10685691
>>10681469
I feel like I'm posting the obvious but I've met too many lost/unsure photographers thay want to do Con photography but just can't get their foot in the door.
tl;dr - Be neat, be nice, don't be a fucken weirdo. Don't be afraid to ask a cosplayer if you can take their photo and don't be a bitch if they say no. It'll all be okay senpai, we're gonna make it.

I always make my con expenses back from doing shoots, and so can you (hopefully).

>>10683772
>>10683807
>>10684755
>>10685018
>>10685646
This

>>10681469
Ask for permission to take photos as usual, and then leave business card if you're looking to make a name.

also, as a cosplayer photographer, you should also focus on good -in character posing, portraits and have some nice photoshop skills on top of photography skills.
Be humble, don't be a creep

>>10685692
Not OP but brilliant write up, thank you tripfag.

>>10683709
>Cosplayers aren't professional, are broke and you won't get anything from them
Thats not even remotely true. Plenty of professional cosplayers exist, and plenty of casual cosplayers want high resolution photos of their cosplay.
>>10684748
>All you need is a modern phone and you can do 99.9999999% of what a cosplay photographer can do.
Phone cameras are still nowhere close to professional cameras when it comes to portrait shots. Phone cameras still have terrible fake bokeh.
A photographer will also better understand how to make a photo look good too, and may have more software to create a more unique photo.

>>10683709
You'd be a god if you could. One of the most annoying things is trying to get the right angle when you aren't in control of the camera

>>10685691
lol I wear cargo shorts and look like a weeb and it hasn't affected me any. Just be good at what you do and word will get around. You can run around in a t-rex suit; if people know you do good work they'll be happy to shoot with you. People recognize their friends in photos you've taken and will ask them how you did as a photographer.