Ready to flex that awesome costume? Or on the hunt for the perfect Insta shot at the cosplay conventions? Knowing a few cosplay photography tips can help you out.
Why? Let’s say, you’ve spent much time making the perfect outfit as a cosplayer. And, when picture day comes, it just doesn’t look as good as you wanted. Heartbreaking, right?
Now, what if you’re behind the camera as a content creator, trying to snap some great shots but just can’t seem to get it right. That would be frustrating.
Don’t let these situations get you down. Let’s jump into some tips to ensure you get the best cosplay photos you can get.
17 Cosplay Photography Tips You Should Know
Here are some of the cosplay photography tips you should know:
1. Be Clear Who Will Take the Photos
- Phase: Preparation
- Skill Needed: Low
When you’re cosplaying at the con, you’ll be all about the costume and getting into character. This might make it easy to forget to take great pictures.
Sure, you can take selfies with your phone. But that’s not what you really want, right? You probably want to get the best pictures from the right angles using a good camera.
If that’s the case, the first step is to figure out who will take your photos. Will it be your friend, someone you meet at the con, or a professional photographer you hire?
Every choice has its pros and cons, so take a minute to think it over. This way, you won’t end up regretting your decision if the photos don’t turn out the way you wanted.
Read More: Why do People Cosplay
2. Plan Your Shot List First
- Phase: Preparation
- Skill Needed: Low
It’s a cliché, but if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. Seriously, this is key for cosplay photography tips. That’s why, before the shoot, make a shot list with key poses and angles. It keeps you organized and ensures you get those must-have shots.
If you’re shooting superhero cosplay, plan for epic action poses like jumping or landing. Writing them down saves time on set and helps you focus on getting great shots instead of improvising.
You can use reference images from the character’s original media. For example,a screenshot of Sailor Moon casting her Moon Tiara Action or a close-up of Tanjiro Kamado with his sword.
3. Scout the Location
- Phase: Preparation
- Skill Needed: Medium
If you are hunting cosplay photos at the con, try to check out your spot. This can make a huge difference for cosplay photo shoot, especially if that is outdoor event where the weather can change fast.
Doing that, you can figure out the best spots for photos, check out the lighting, and think about any potential challenges like crowds or more. You can still count on some changes and challenges on the big day. But with this prep, you’ll cut down on surprises during the shoot.
What if you’re setting up your own photoshoot? You have at least three main types of location to pick from, depending on your cosplay characters:
- Natural landscapes like national parks, botanical gardens, and cool hiking trails.
- Urban spots like downtown areas, abandoned factories, and trendy neighborhoods.
- Iconic spots like movie sets, historical landmarks, famous bridges, and more.
4. Use Natural Light Whenever Possible
- Phase: Photoshoot
- Skill Needed: Low
When it comes to cosplay photography tips, it’s best to use natural light. It’s usually easier to get great photos this way than with artificial lights.
Remember to always fo for the “golden hour”. This is the first hour after sunrise or the last hour before sunset, when the light is warm and flattering.
If you’re taking pictures of a magical character like an angel, using natural light can bring out the little details in the costume and make everything feel more enchanting.
But be careful of harsh sunlight. Those shadows can ruin the shot. If needed, use a reflector to bounce light onto your character and soften those shadows.
Now, what if it’s an indoor cosplay con? Don’t fret. Just find a spot near a window to use soft, diffused light. It’ll really show off the details of your cosplay material.
5. Pick a Background That Matches the Character
- Phase: Photoshoot
- Skill Needed: Low
Many people often forget about the background in cosplay photos. If you think you made this mistake too, you’re not the only one.
The background is key. It can either make or break your photos. You read it right, a bad background can clutter your shot and pull focus away from the real star: the cosplayer.
What is the cosplay photography tip? Simple, pick a background that fits the character’s theme. For example, a forest backdrop is perfect for nature-themed characters like Poison Ivy from DC Comics.
Read More: Cosplay Ideas to Inspire You
But at a cosplay con, options can be limited. Crowds in the background is unavoidable. Your best bet? Minimize distractions. If you check out the place before the big day, you’ll be more ready to deal with it.
6. Experiment with Various Angles
- Phase: Photoshoot
- Skill Needed: Medium
Any more tips for handling crowds during cosplay shoots at cons? You can’t completely ditch the background noise, it’s part of the con vibe.
But, you can try to play around with various angles. This helps reduce noise and can also lead to more dynamic and visually appealing shots.
For example, shhooting from a low angle makes a character look strong, great for superheroes. And a high angle is better for capturing a character in a vulnerable moment.
This is why you need to get creative in finding the perfect spot for those cosplay photos, whether you’re at a con or in a studio.
7. Focus on the Eyes
- Phase: Photoshoot
- Skill Needed: Medium
It all comes down to the cosplay characters you’re shooting. If they have heavy makeup and express their feelings through their eyes, then, focus on capturing those eye shots. For example, when you are dealing with the Joker character.
Plus, make sure the cosplayer’s eyes are sharp and in focus. If you’re the cosplayer, just ask the photographer to catch your emotions while you’re in that character.
To make the eyes stand out in your photos, try using a shallow depth of field. This technique blurs the background, drawing all attention to the eyes. A 50mm f/1.8 lens is a great option for this because of its large aperture.
8. Capture Motion and Action
- Phase: Photoshoot
- Skill Needed: Medium
Cosplay isn’t just about dressing up. It’s about acting like the character. So, one of the best cosplay photography tips is to take pictures of movement and action, not just standing still.
It’s even more important for characters who are all about action in the anime or movie. Action cosplay poses can make the photos look epic.
For example, if you dress up as Naruto Uzumaki, you can pose with his signature jutsu like Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. This will make your cosplay photos look more realistic. It’s even better if you edit the photo later to show multiple characters, since that’s what the jutsu is all about.
You can try different tricks for your cosplay shoot. For example, using burst mode is great for nailing that perfect motion shot while the cosplayer pulls off the jutsu.
Read: Cosplay Ideas for Inspiration
9. Pay Attention to Costume Details
- Phase: Photoshoot
- Skill Needed: Medium
What’s the cosplay photography tip for a character like Cinderella, who isn’t all about movement? Just zoom in on those costume details.
You can use this trick for other characters too! Just take close-ups of any cool or handmade items like armor, weapons, or accessories. It highlights the craftsmanship and adds variety to your cosplay photos collection.
Feel free to play around with the technical settings. Generally, using a macro lens is a safe bet. Or, just get closer with your camera to capture the details. Close-ups work great alongside wider shots that showcase the entire costume, giving a complete look at the cosplayer.
10. Use Props for Enhanced Storytelling
- Phase: Photoshoot
- Skill Needed: Low
A picture worth a thousand words. That’s true, and that’s what you should go for. Use cosplay photos as a way to tell a story and really bring the character to life.
Ask your photographer to capture the props yuou’re using when cosplay posing as your signature move of your character.
If you’re the photographer, don’t forget to add a weapon, a book, or any cool item from the character’s world to make your shots stand out. This is one of the cosplay photography tips you don’t want to skip.
11. Keep the Camera Steady
- Phase: Photoshoot
- Skill Needed: Low
Think about holding the camera in your hand so you can move around freely. That’s an option. But for more consistent results, make sure to keep the camera steady. With this, you can take sharp, clear cosplay photos.
How to do it? A tripod is your best friend for keeping your camera steady, especially for long exposures or slow shutter speeds. No tripod? No problem. Just rest your camera against a solid surface like a wall or table.
12. Master the Rule of Thirds
- Phase: Photoshoot
- Skill Needed: Low
The rule of thirds? Yes, it’s a key composition trick that can boost the look of your cosplay photos.
Think of your frame as a 3×3 grid with two horizontal and two vertical lines. Then, position your cosplayer along these lines or at the intersections for a balanced and eye-catching composition.
You can try to place the cosplayer off-center to let their gaze or movement guide the viewer’s eye. This technique works great for both portraits and action shots, making your photos feel more alive.
With practice, you’ll learn when to use the rule of thirds and when to break it for a creative touch.
13. Use Shallow Depth of Field
- Phase: Photoshoot
- Skill Needed: Medium
A great cosplay photography tip is to use shallow depth of field. This is great for portrait style.
Technically, you’ll use a wide aperture (like f/2.8 or f/1.8) that blurs the background and makes your cosplayer stand out. This trick is useful in busy places like cons where the background can get distracting.
If you’re shooting a character with a detailed face mask or makeup, a shallow depth of field keeps those details sharp without distractions from the background.
14. Capture Candid Moments
- Phase: Photoshoot
- Skill Needed: Low
At the cosplay con and not capturing candid moments? You’re missing out. Well, you need to get permission later from the people you take pictures of. But don’t let those great moments pass by.
If you’re the cosplayer, ask photographers to capture your candid moments. And if someone else is taking your pictures, check what poses they use and ask to share the results.
This is one of the cosplay photography tips you should know. Posed shots are important in cosplay photography, but don’t overlook candid moments. They show the real personality of the cosplayer and can make really great pictures.
Read More: What is Casual Cosplay
15. Edit for Color and Contrast
- Phase: After
- Skill Needed: Medium
Now that you’ve finished your cosplay photoshoot, what’s next? It’s time to edit. Post-processing is a key step in cosplay photography, especially for adjusting color and contrast.
First, tweak that contrast, add depth, make those costume colors pop. Next, adjust the color balance. Make sure you keep skin tones natural, and ensure those costume colors are on point.
For example, if you took a picture of Spider-Man in his red and blue suit, making those colors a little brighter in editing can make the cosplay look even more awesome.
Tools like Lightroom or free content creator tools like GIMP make it easy to edit your pictures and make them look really nice.
16. Use Presets for Consistency
- Phase: After
- Skill Needed: Medium
You don’t want to edit from scratch, right? If so, try using presets or filters. They’ll speed up your workflow and keep your photos looking consistent. This is useful, especially when you’re working on a series.
What are presets? They’re saved editing tweaks you can apply to your photos with one click. For example, a vintage preset adds warmth and grain.
17. Final Review and Quality Check
- Phase: After
- Skill Needed: Medium
The final cosplay photography tip? Do a quick review. Check out each image to make sure the lighting, composition, and edits are on point. Look out for any big issues like overexposure or blurriness.
To create great cosplay photos, you should understand these tips, whether you’re a content creator taking pictures or the cosplayer waiting for the best photoshoot results.
Taking a moment for that final review can boost your work’s quality and impress your audience. So, you can boast its cosplay photos on social media, your portfolio sites, or membership platforms like Gank.
Ready to Take Great Cosplay Photos?
Better safe than sorry, right? So, before the big day at the cosplay con, you can learn some cosplay photography tips above to get the best cosplay photos.
If you’re in the studio with photographers, these cosplay photo shoot tips can help you know what to do. If your photographer forgets something, you can easily remind them.
That’s a wrap for now! Hope this information helps. And if you want to dive deeper into being a professional cosplayer and content creator, don’t forget to subscribe to our blog. Thanks!
