Have you ever wanted to get some nice pictures of your cosplay outside of a convention? If you aren’t sure where to start, then this is the guide for you!
- Pick a location that suits your cosplay!
- One of the best reasons to do a location shoot is to get photos of your cosplay in a nice atmospheric location. So it is important to pick a location which matches your cosplay.
- For example, while you might not be able to find Greek ruins in the UK, an Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey cosplayer might want to find a beach to take photos on to get the sea and sand in the background!
- Work out how to get to your location!
- Sometimes, the best locations for photos are not accessible easily by public transport. Make sure you are able to get to where you want to go!
- SAFETY TIP: make sure where you are shooting is safe! There is no point going halfway up a mountain if you are going to fall off and hurt yourself.
- Get permission for your location!
- A lot of places don’t allow commercial photography. Unfortunately, a lot of cosplay photography (where you post your photos on social media) comes across to locations as commercial photography. Be prepared to have this conversation with the owners of the location before planning any further!
- Some places, like parks, allow photography without booking as long as you don’t bring light stands or drones.
- Find a photographer.
- If you are a cosplayer, bringing a photographer with you will get you the awesome photos you want!
- Self-shooting is fun but unless you know what you are doing, it is stressful and you might not get the results you want.
- Bring a friend!
- Don’t go to places you don’t know without company.
- SAFETY TIP: if you are working with a photographer you don’t know, definitely bring a friend with you. Any photographer who does not want you to bring a friend is not worth working with.
- Work out the logistics of your costume.
- Can you travel in cosplay? Do you need somewhere to change before you shoot?
- If you need to change, make sure you can access bathrooms or changing facilities. It is common to see people at a convention getting dressed in the car park, this is not true for everyday life! Don’t be that person!
- Work out your food plans.
- Is there food on site? Is there food nearby? Work out where your nearest food and drink is, and if not, bring your own!
- Plan your shots before you go!
- Reference albums are your best friends. Get pictures of poses you want to do in the location before you get there- you might not have good wifi or data, and you will waste time thinking about this!
- Go EARLY!
- You will get the best photos if you go to your location early in the morning. You will guarantee that there will be less people around, and you will be able to take your time and get the shots you want.
- BE RESPECTFUL.
- It does not matter where you are, you need to be respectful of the location you are in. Don’t climb on things, don’t trample plants, and don’t break anything!
- Be respectful of other people, some visitors to your location might not know anything about cosplay- that isn’t their fault! You need to expect that people will stare at you or try and take photos- you are the one dressed oddly.
- Have a good time!
- Location shoots are meant to be fun adventures- they can be tiring, but take it slow and have a good time!
Have you done a location shoot before? Let us know in the comments how it went!
