Common Mistakes Cosplayers Make In Photoshoots

I love cosplay photoshoots. They're quite fun to organize, too. I myself have enjoyed a share of photoshoots with friends since 2009. However, there are times when they can turn out to be a drag or a total nightmare. My friends and I have our share of horror stories in some photoshoots that we have had or attended since we started cosplaying, and due to those experiences, I was able to recognize common mistakes that some cosplayers tend to make when organizing photoshoots or during the photoshoot itself. 

I am not claiming to be an expert in cosplay or organizing shoots or anything, but I'd like to share some of the common booboos that I've observed (both on myself and other cosplayers) during photoshoots, and perhaps give some tips or suggestions on how you can prevent them.

Not applying makeup

Makeup is important in cosplay. Applying makeup is a great way to make your face look flawless on photographs and to change your facial features to make them more appropriate for the character that you're cosplaying. However, sometimes, there are cosplayers who go, “Uh I think I'll skip the makeup because I'm lazy.” and then complain later that they look bad when they see their pictures.

“I don't need these. I can just whine about how fugly I am later and then make the photographer or one of my friends photoshop my face.”
Photo from University of Makeup

Laziness is not an excuse. And while it is not wrong to ask your photographer for a little post-processing and editing, you can't expect him or her to edit your entire face just because you didn't put any makeup on. It takes a lot of effort to post-process and edit photos, and if there are too many pictures, then it will be a drag for the photographer to edit every single photo of your face.

Make an effort to put on makeup, even if it's just something to conceal your pores and your eyebags. It's also much easier to apply makeup than to photoshop a face for its flaws.

Arriving late

Some shoots are scheduled for a limited time because that's what the permit or the terms and conditions of the venue would allow. If you have a very limited time for your shoot (i.e. only around three to four hours), make an effort to arrive at least an hour before the the shoot, so you have ample time prepare.

If you have more time for the shoot (say, 5, 6, or more hours), then you're lucky. You can probably arrive on time and spend at least an hour prepping up.

"I'm on my way!" but the truth is, you just got out of bed.

Arriving late can also be inconvenient if you have a cosplay group. Certain group shots might be delayed, incomplete, or cannot be done if you are not there yet and other members of your group have already been there for hours. So try your best to make it on time and not be late, unless you have a valid excuse such as you are coming from a class or your work shift ends right before the time when the shoot would start.

Not getting a permit or failing to ask permission to shoot in a venue

Some venues require a permit and a fee before you can shoot. It is best to contact the venue in advance and ask for the terms and conditions for shooting there, rather than show up on the day of your shoot, only to find out that you're not allowed to shoot there for whatever reason. Get the necessary permits first and ask permission to shoot in a particular venue first when applicable. This way, you can avoid the hassle, embarrassment, and the frustration of not being able to shoot in the venue that you want.

Cancelling or backing out in the last minute

I hate this. I really do. Whether you're the shoot organizer or one of the cosplayers, it is such a hassle and a big drag if you suddenly cancel the shoot or back out from it, especially if you created a lot of hype for it and you got everyone very excited for the shoot.

Unless you have a really valid reason such as death in the family, you got sick, you have a contagious disease, you have sudden duty at work, there's a storm or a natural disaster, etc. (you get the idea), then just. Don't. Back. Out. Or Cancel. The. Shoot.

I've encountered some cosplayers who suddenly backed out two days or a day before the shoot or the day of the shoot itself. I've heard reasons like, “Because I don't feel like it anymore.” or “Because I am confused with a lot of things right now and I need to go and find myself.”, as well as “I'm backing out because I have other priorities.”

Those statements caused a lot of “huh?”s and “whut”s, but knew I had to let them go to avoid further conflict.

“I'm backing out because I'm a selfish prick and I don't care about your efforts in organizing this shoot. It's not you, it's me. We should see other people.”

Backing out in the last minute can be very inconvenient for the organizers who already did a headcount of the number of cosplayers who are part of the group shoot. It can also be inconvenient for the division of payments, in case everyone in the group intends to contribute money to pay for the venue.

I also find it distasteful if you suddenly can't attend the shoot and you did not even inform the organizers or at least one of the other cosplayers who are part of that shoot. Find time to send a message. There's no excuse for not showing up without any warning. It can also be worrisome, like what if we start thinking that you got mugged, killed, or kidnapped on your way to the venue or something. :p

Inviting too many photographers

Whenever my friends and I organize group shoots, we always make it a point to count the number of cosplayers before deciding on which and how many photographers to invite. We used to think that the more photographers we have, the faster we can accomplish things. Apparently not.

In my experience, I found that having a lot of photographers does not necessarily mean that:

a. You can have more pictures taken of you - because chances are, you'll only have the same poses taken from different angles in different lighting situations and places, and from different cameras.

b. You can finish the shoot faster

c. The shoot can go as efficiently as possible – not exactly, because there might come a time when it would be difficult to keep track of who took photos of who.

This doesn't make sense. Unless maybe you're in a cosplay event or a convention.

Eventually, I learned that we are able to accomplish more with only one or a few photographers. Here are some examples:

• 1 photographer for a one subject or for two cosplayers (i.e. in a tandem or couple shoot) or for 3 cosplayers.
• A maximum of 2 photographers for 2 cosplayers in a tandem or couple shoot, or for 3 cosplayers.
• A maximum of 3 to 4 photographers for group cosplay shoots with at least 7 to 10 cosplayers.

But wait, what exactly is having “too many photographers”? I think it depends on you. But for me, these are examples of having too many photographers:

• 1 cosplayer and 5 photographers
• 10 cosplayers and 10 photographers
• 2 cosplayers and more than 5 photographers

You get the picture.

There was one group shoot that we had with 14 cosplayers and only two photographers, and it was one of the most fun and productive shoots that we have ever had.

But then again, it's up to you. If you have organized a cosplay shoot before with a large number of photographers and only a few cosplayers and it was so successful and you had plenty of pictures, then good for you. Though I'd still say “quality over quantity.”

Using another cosplayer's photo as your reference picture

It is totally okay to be inspired by another cosplayer's photo, but to copy the exact picture, pose, and composition is a huge no-no for me. I don't recommend asking the photographer to copy the picture either. That's as good as plagiarism.

I understand that you probably want to have a picture that is as awesome as the photo that you want to copy, but if you truly want to produce outstanding photos with your photographer, then I believe it would be better if you could think outside of the box and be as creative as you can.

Acting like a prima donna

Whether you're in a group shoot or a couple shoot, you DON'T act like you're the center of the universe. Be a team player and cooperate with your cosplay group. Also, if you're an organizer, don't just spit out orders for other organizers and other cosplayers to do, such as reserving the venue or following up on the payments and cosplayers, etc., especially if you have the time to do those things by yourself.

Boss be like, “Do this and do that for me because I'm a lazy bum, I'm afraid of negotiations, and I am actually shy to ask the owners of the venue if we can shoot there.”
Image from ModernServantLeader.Com

On the day of the shoot, avoid hogging the spotlight unless you're the only subject. Stop with the “me, me, me” attitude. Nobody likes that. The cosplayers who are with you are not just there to make you look good and stand out, whether you're cosplaying the protagonist or not.

Hesitating and being too shy

If you do not ask, the answer will always be, “no”. Some photographers may give suggestions on poses and things that you can do for the photos, but others won't. Bottom line is: you'll never get anywhere or accomplish anything if you are hesitant or shy to speak up on what you want to do in the photoshoot.

"Boo-hoo! I wasn't able to do Jojo poses with my friends!"
Image from here

Be open and talk to your partner or group and the photographer about shots or poses that you want to do with them, and do not hesitate to give suggestions. Be a bit more assertive instead of wallowing later in regret because you weren't able to have a certain type of picture taken.

Making new members of your group feel left out

Sometimes, you can get so excited about forming a cosplay group that you end up inviting cosplayers who you don't really know or you are not not familiar with into your circle for the sake of completing the characters. In this case, do not ignore them or make them feel like they are complete strangers. Try your best not to make them feel left out. Get to know them, make small talk, ask if they are okay, etc. Don't treat them like decorative elements or your props in the cosplay shoot.

Now you have many friends.
Image from My Anime List