Got inspired to book a photoshoot with a photographer? Or did you join a group photoshoot? Whatever the occasion is: good preparation will help make your photoshoots a success. Here is a checklist of things I do before a photoshoot to make it a neat experience.
- Double check the outfit:
is it truly ready? No stains, tears or missing pieces? Can you grab it and go to the shoot, no problem? If not, fix it as soon as possible to avoid extra stress when the shoot is happening. - Plan according to the location:
Are you going to shoot in or outside? If inside: what are the facilities and rules? If outside: is there a bathroom nearby and what does the weather forecast look like? Use that information to adjust your plans if neccesary.
Extra points if you visit the location without cosplay first, so you can make notes of facilities and interesting places to shoot. - Make a moodboard for the photographer and send it in advance:
No need to make a book, just one A4 is enough. Include the name of the character, the source and your name to make it identifiable as yours. Use art from the source, fan-art, other cosplayers and cool concepts you want to try. Some previous moodboards I’ve made look like this: Also, send them at least a week in advance, to give the photographer time to have a look at it and respond. - Talk with the photographer and align your plans:
Did you find amazing pictures you’d love to recreate when making your moodboard? Then tell your photographer. Your wishes might be just their cup of tea, or not possible for them at all. Prevent disappointment by aligning your plans and understand that things like levitation and light painting are very cool, but impossible to do when you are with a group. The workload for the photographer is huge. - Pack extra neccesities:
Safety pins. Needle, thread and scissors. Bottle of water. A trash bag. Mirror. Power bank. Snacks. Anything that might be useful? Bring it. It’s better to be able to hand out snacks than to pass out due to a lack of them. Take care of yourself, your photographer and the location. - Clean up after the shoot:
The best way to leave a good impression on the location or take care of the outdoors location is to clean up any mess you made. Trash in the trash bag you brought and take back home to dispose of. If you rented a location, inform the host that you’re about to leave and have them come check if you left everything alright and thank them for allowing the photoshoot. - If with a group:
Make sure all cosplayers are on one page and know what to expect. Same goes for photographers. What are the goals, are people bringing extra water/snacks to share as a picnick, are there timeslots for the cosplayers? All things to consider.
Note for new cosplayers: if you book a photographer, make sure to ask around for references on them. Not all cosplay photographers are good people and with cosplay potentially being very skimpy/sexy/kinky, bad people can easily manipulate (beginner) cosplayers into stuff that is not their thing. Or even okay at all. If you have a solo shoot, bring a helper and inform your photographer. If the photographer has a problem with there being a helper, it is a big sign they are not okay. Please cancel your shoot and find another photographer. Stay safe and never do things you are not comfortable with.
I hope you enjoy your photoshoot and get some nice pictures back later! Don’t pressure the photographers, though. They have a lot of work after the shoot, so give them time.
Enjoy your photoshoot!
Amirine