• make a balance of the 1:2 ratio of subjects and photographers. 1 subject/model should have at least 1-2 photographers only. The reason? If for example, you have 5 photographers on one subject, you will find your pictures almost all in the same angle once the pictures are posted. Sometimes it can get.. boring, right?  If you have the equal balance, you will discover unique specialties of each photog: Lighting, Portraits, Night shots, Action shots, and many more. A few assistants (who can hold the light or reflectors) are encouraged.
• CON: If all of the photographers decided to shoot a single subject at the same time (for reasons I’d like to wonder), time will be wasted.. especially if you are shooting in groups and your group mate is left posing for no camera anymore.

In this photo, I had two photographers wanting to achieve an extreme Bird’s Eye view perspective.

Look at what they came up with:

Photo by: Vesty

Photo by:  Jene Kirishima

DO..

• make use of the venue you are shooting as well. I mean, don’t just take extreme close-ups of your subjects. Put him/her at a distance and capture the beauty of the background with them. This creates more story.. like a picture book.

1st photo: Princess Ariel in front of her magnificent castle by the sea – Photo by: HappyHario Photography

2nd Photo: Sakura and Syaoran enjoying a date out while they are still together – Photo by: Glitch88

• make use of group shots! This is always the best part of photoshoots. Take as many natural or wacky shots as you possibly can. Best results come from shots that are related to the series. This encourages the meaning of friendship. Not just because your characters are friends/foes in the series, but to actually bond with new people and share the same interest.

Final Fantasy characters doing the Cactuar Pose (for those of you who don’t know, Cactuar is a common enemy in the game)

Team Cosmos, Final Fantasy: Dissidia – Photos by: Rainie

Ragnarok Online – Photo by: z3ll Photography

Disney Princesses (Walt Disney Pictures) – Photo by: Alfred Bayle

• consider posting decent shots only. This is a photoshoot, not a convention. If you’re the photographer, delete your blurred shots. Separate bloopers or behind-the-scenes. Adjust your dark ones. Put watermarks. If you don’t know how, either try to learn or ask a photog-friend to help you. It doesn’t take forever to edit if you have to. Making the perfect photo requires your skill in it as well. I speak for myself because I ventured into photography while I was cosplaying.

• take just one shot. PLAY WITH ANGLES! If you’re that good, that’s awesome! I actually know some photog-friends who satisfy themselves with a single shot they composed only once. BUT that’s with the approval of the model/subject as well. If you’re not satisfied, then take more. Just don’t post everything you took. Not everyone will appreciate the same person w/ the same angle (ex. all portraits), even if he/she has different poses in one album. Sometimes, one shot with the perfect angle is enough to fill your day. See the difference here:

Both subjects are lying down, but the perspective is different. Used here: 1st photo – Bird’s eye. 2nd photo – Frame your subject

 Using same character in different angles creates a story

Panty & Stocking w/ Garterbelt cast (in our most wacky poses yet) – Photo by: Alfred Bayle

• make use of props. Again, research will help you utilize your props while posing. Props makes great photos! It can be anything: weapons, school bags, a pet animal/mascot, your costume, your hair/wig, and even your hands.

See how overwhelming Go Go Yubari’s spiked-mace is? It is the center of focus – Photo by: DevianGrey

Hiding under the Japanese umbrella suggests a mysterious feature – Photo by: Erving Go

Playing around w/ pets or mascots make a cute & playful shot – Photo by: z3ll Photography

• create a story! The only things you can’t really achieve in conventions but you can in photoshoots, is to put that character to justice. By doing a famous scene. Posing his/her trademark.  Reliving the series. How? If you’re the photographer, ask your subjects not to look at the camera (it creates more mystery). If you’re the subject, do an action that doesn’t involve being too ordinary (interact with the camera or with your group).

Cropped-scenes create more drama. Almost like teasers.

Their first fall in the world of Cephiro, literally. (Magic Knight Rayearth) – Photo by: JamFrame Photography

Or if you’re a game addict, re-enact scenes from the arcades – Photo by: Alfred Bayle

Imitate character personalities – Photo by: Franz gatchalian

DO NOT..

• just sit there and smile.. yes, that “moe-innocent-static” smile. Bear in mind, you are not a model in a fashion show. You are a character being in-character. So do not pose unnecessarily, unless called for.

Cosplay means “Costume Role-play”. Action is required! Heck, even L of Deathnote makes sure that he doesn’t just sit w/ bended knees and biting his thumb. He loves sweets ryt? He likes dark make-up. He spazzes over Misa. He enjoys typing by his computer. He has other friends to interact with.  So go on and explore your possibilities, because being an anime/manga character is endless fun! COSPLAY is supposed to be FUN!

So yea, this is me in my most static pose yet haha! All it needs is a movie title and the cast below.

Photo by: HappyHario Photography

P.S. You’ll notice I used a lot of my pictures. I just don’t want any pointing of fingers happening if I use other people’s photos, even if I know some. So be nice hehe! I do welcome critics and any suggestions as well!