Part 1 of this series focused on what you should think about when booking a cosplay photoshoot. So, say you've booked a photo session with your cosplay, how can you prepare before the session to make sure that the pictures look as cool as possible? In this post I will give a few tips to help you achieve that!
Darkesttears Design as Sylvanas Windrunner
Practice Your Poses
Most characters have one or two signature poses they're often shown doing. Practicing these beforehand will help you feel confident and give you a few go-to options during the photo session. A seasoned photographer will be able to guide your poses throughout the session, but having a few ideas up your sleeve will make the session run smoother for both of you!
Test-run Your Costume
Costumes can be uncomfortable and may restrict your movement. Test out your costume before the day of the photo session to see what kind of poses you're actually able to do while in costume. Also reflect on for how much of the costume you can put on at home and how much need to put on on-location. Time how long it takes for you to get dressed to make it easier to plan the day of the photo session and let your photographer know if you need extra time to prepare on-location.
Nukleara as Sangonomiya Kokomi
Pay Attention to the Makeup
When looking at a cosplay photo, our eyes are naturally drawn to the cosplayers face. Putting extra attention to your makeup is therefore a way to instantly elevate the overall impression of your costume. Makeup is a skill like any other and requires practice, thankfully there are plenty of tutorials online! Be sure to specifically look for tutorials for doing makeup for photos, as it is a bit different than for everyday life. A look that feels exaggerated can look completely normal or even bland in photos.
The Finishing Touches
Small finishing details will also elevate the overall look of your cosplay in the photos. Iron out any creases on your garments (but make sure that the fabric is heat resistant first), comb out your wig, cut loose threads etc. If your wig is long, make sure to bring along a brush to the photo session as it often will tangle again after being worn for a while.