Cosplay photography: as a hobbyist photographer and as a model

This post is about my journey as a cosplay photographer. The text includes my thoughts about current cosplay photography scene in Finland. I also ponder about differences between being a cosplay model and a regular model, and how paying for cosplay photos is both similar and different to other paid photography services. 

This photo is probably from my first proper outside-con photoshoot, in 2019. And sadly I have lost all the RAWs... Back up your photos kiddos, and don't leave them in your ex's Lightroom catalog. San: Fukka

I have been in front of and behind the camera for some 10 years now. It was probably my second con after I started going to conventions again where I took a camera with me. At the beginning it was simple: I happened to have a camera, and my friends needed pictures of their cosplays. Very soon I realized that I really, really love photographing cosplays. It became a part of my convention schedule for a long time. Editing the photo backlog after the con was one of the highlights of conventions.

I am still unsure about whether I dare to call myself a cosplay photographer. I don't really broadcast it, as I am unsure of my ability. Before last few years I didn't really seek to improve intentionally and the main function of my photography was to document my friends' costumes. I didn't try to create a story, or a scene yet. I didn't compare my photos to those of others or look at other photographers' work "academically". Also, I really lacked(and still do!) at skills that make one a good photographer, like constant communication and being able to guide the models effectively.

Ancient history from Desucon 2015. Howl: Fukka, Sophie: Woodi

After starting to focus on this part of the hobby more seriously, I really noticed how bad I was at certain skills which I hadn't practised deliberately. I might know the technical side both in&out of camera, but this isn't product photography. Model guidance is probably one of the most important skills, especially in a hobby where the models aren't professionals. After the people skills part comes other things to improve upon, like composition and storytelling.

With more serious focus on photography, so changed the ways of me doing it. Planning photoshoots in real locations instead of conventions(when possible), giving out previews to choose from, and focusing on getting few great photos instead of many decent/okay ones. Also, knowing one's limits.

We went to shoot at a castle in 2023, and handling three costumes in two locations was maybe a bit more than I was able to chew. Also, 128gt wasn't enough. Zelda: Nevara

Cosplay photography in Finland

I have though about cosplay photography and how it differs from other photography. Currently the most common practise in Finnish cosplay photography is TFP(Time for photos), where neither model or the photographer pay each other, only with their time and by providing their own relevant gear, be it the costume or the camera equipment. As far as I know there aren't any professional cosplay photographers in Finland. The criteria here being: photographer who charges professional grade payment for the photos AND markets themselves mainly to cosplayers. I know of photographers who do shoots for cosplayers with what I assume professional prices, but they might shoot something else as their main thing. 

...Which is very understandable, with the demand in Finland most likely not being apple to supply anyone's livelihood with just cosplay photography. 

Probably the biggest background edit I have done, to get rid of Lahti hoods. Taken in Desucon 2023. Link: Fukka

Hobby photographers charging for photos

In recent years there has been a rise of hobby photographers asking for a small payment for their shoots. The payment being like 1/10th of a price of professional shoot. I am all in for creatives asking for a price of their work. In the end, it will be the demand which decides whether the service sells. It will be interesting to see how this develops in the future and whether we will see a rise of professional cosplay photography.

 Currently in my mind I compare paying for cosplay photography to taking your high school graduation/baby/pregnancy photos taken. The pictures will be used for personal use and social media content. Abroads the services are most likely used more also by professional cosplayers, which adds a commercial aspect/need to it.

For the small payment, I see following bonuses

• Both the photographer and the cosplayer are committed. If the cosplayer has paid for their photos, they are likely to show up and have their costume in order. If photos have been paid for, there is a need for the photographer to deliver in the agreed time. Ofc these things should also apply to TFP. But imo, if you charge for photos, you offer a degree of professionalism and ensure certain quality, in both the photographing situation and in the delivery of photos. (Likewise, if some cosplayer and their costume is something you really really want to shoot, then TFP might be a better option to suggest. Or hell, why not pay the cosplayer. The same way camera equipment costs a ton, so do costumes 😉) 
• If the cosplayer doesn't know the photographer beforehand, the threshold to ask for paid photos is smaller. The photographer has posted publicly that they are willing to shoot cosplay for money, even if itsn't necessarily their personal passion projects/series. This topic came up in my last post, where we finns tend to be very nervous about working with new people and fear wasting other people's time (even if we are just all geeks geeking over geeky stuff). 

It would be interesting to hear how much cosplayers are willing to pay for photos and what factors could affect it. I imagine that the range depends on things like:

• photographer style and how much the cosplayer likes it. Is the style unique? 
• the setup of the shoot and location possibilities. How much work the photographer puts on the setup and planning
• overall factor of trust that the photographer is on the same page about the outcome that is desired

Tifa&bar this year was a big dream come true. Planning a photoshoot at semi-public location takes effort and more work than a regular shoot. Tifa: Nevara 

Myself I am in a place where photography is my hobby and I have more of a need of models to be able to do my hobby at all, than the need to make it more professional. It would be weird to ask for a price for practising. I am pretty much only taking photos of my closest friends, I don't know what it would feel like if someone asked me to take their photo. Very humbling, but also nerve wracking, I imagine!

(Editor's notes: I have done "book a shoot" -type of things in like three conventions, but it is still bit different to offer your skills in such context than just blatantly asking someone to be a model. Following are few more ancient relics from these experiments:)

Sometimes your models take over the shoot and you just try to keep up and document the greatness. Photoshoot service offered at Popcult 2017. April: starfleetandroid, Shredder:  janimal_cannibal

Team Skull photoshoot was from photoshoot offering at Desucon 2017. It was absolute madness. This time many chefs meant a better soup though. No way I can tag everyone, sorry!

Cosplay modeling and the special needs of it

It has been just in recent few years where I have had my costumes photographed in proper planned shoots with people who mainly identify as photographers (instead of me throwing my camera to my friends' hands).

We as cosplayers don't often have modeling experience outside cosplay, so we require more guiding from the photographer than a person who does modeling. We might be unsure of our modeling abilities, just like anyone who is camera-shy. We might not believe that we can look good in photos at all! Here comes the extra need for photographers to communicate during the shoot. A tough cookie for a mass of introverted hobby-people! But I believe that if there's a will, there's a way.

Cosplay photography is interesting, since instead of just taking nice pics of the person, the photos need to capture the character and the costume. I bet I am not the only one who usually loathes their face in photos. But to get pictures of my costume, I need to be in the photo. From my photographers I seek the ability to make the photo awesome in all other ways to distract from the point that it is me in the photo. I think this is one part where cosplayers might differ from someone getting a regular social media picture. As a craftmanship-focused cosplayer I aim for photos that display the costume and character well, photos that create a story and a feel of the series. It's an interesting challenge. I don't necessarily get a photoshoot to get pictures of me, but to create a little piece of the media immortalized though cosplay and photography. 

My Aerith costume photographed beautifully in 2026 by kuvael.mia. This was the first time I braved to ask a photographer I didn't know if they want to work with me. Who would've thought that voicing out your fears can lead to good things.

Cosplay photography is also special in a same way that fantasy photography is. Photographer can go wild with the editing and photomanipulation. I see no limit to what is possible and I love that Finland has all different kind of styles emerging. The scene has really evolved and cosplay picture contests being a staple in conventions is a great example of this. I would love to see even crazier projects involving multiple cosplayers and photographers (count me in for any Critical Role -project!) in the future.

People gaining more experience can only mean good things. I hope to work with these talented people more in the future. And maybe one day dare to ask someone I don't know beforehand whether I could take pictures of their cosplays. ✨ 

And just because I want to flaunt my awesome friends, have some more favourites from recent years:

Zelda from Twilight Princess: Nevara

The protagonist from Shin Megami tensei V: Woodi

Zelda from The Breath of the Wild: Fukka