Cosplay Tips: Posing for Pictures

SWEET SERENITY!!! Only a couple days until Anime Oasis!! Are you ready? I'm....... almost ready. I got all of Sailor Moon done, except her accursed boots. But I've finally figured them out and I just need to get some vinyl glue and put them together. Woo! All my other cosplays are in order and my lolita coordinate is decided on (and adorable, by the way ). Sadly I didn't get any new lolita dresses made to sell. I just ran out of time. But ah well. I will for the next con! I had lots of commissions so I have spending monies! Yay! Now I just have to finish washing everything and then it's time for the packing!

But I figured for this entry it would be good to talk about something you will probably experience at a con if you're in cosplay (or wearing anything interesting)-- Getting your picture taken!

I don't know if you know this..... But I love getting my picture taken.



Yes, it's true. I'll admit that I am slightly vain (no, really?) I love photo shoots and being the center of attention. But I realize that not everyone is comfortable with having their photo taken. And may have no idea what to do when someone taps you on the shoulder and asks for a photo. So I'm here to give some friendly advice so that you can look awesome!

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT a professional model. Not at all. But I have been in several photo shoots so I have quite a bit of practice. So these are just the things I've found that help me look better in pictures. It also helps (a LOT) to have a photographer who knows how to direct a model. But in a convention setting, this is usually unlikely. So we just have to do the best we can on our end. Anyway, on with the tips!


Practice In The Mirror  

So this may sound silly, but it's REALLY important! How are you going to know if you look totally awesome or like a total dork if you can't see yourself? So this is a MUST! I always practice my poses and facial expressions in the mirror before I go to a convention. If you feel self conscious, wait until family or roommates are out of the house or lock yourself in the bathroom and just go for it. You may feel like a dork, but this helps so much and makes all the difference!


Be In Character 

Think about your character. What is their personality? Are they moody and quiet? Are they bubbly and playful? Are they sultry and seductive? Try to incorporate those things into your poses. You don't want to stand there like a board, staring at the camera with a blank face. People aren't just taking a picture of your costume, they are taking a picture of your cosPLAY. So play and have fun with it! Try to do expressions and poses that will define your character. Look at a lot of pictures or video of your character and really study them.

Do they have any special poses? Sailor Moon is easy, because she's always posing. So if your character has a signature pose, do that!

Do they have a prop or weapon? Incorporate those things into your poses.

If you aren't cosplaying as a particular character-- you're wearing something historical or a j-fashion of some sort, for example-- still try to be in character or in the spirit of the what you are wearing. Look at photos of other people wearing similar stuff to get inspiration. Or just make some poses in the mirror and see what you come up with. The General Tips section below may help you more if you aren't any particular character.

Keep it Interesting  

Change it up! Don't do the same pose every time. It's boring for you and boring to look at the pictures afterward. So try lots of different poses and expressions. Have fun with it!


General Tips  

I've found that looking straight at the camera is not very flattering. Tilt your head slightly down or slightly up. Or turn your face slightly to the side. Also don't have your body facing straight at the camera either. It looks nicer if you're turned a little. But of course these are all just general. It will depend on your character and what poses suit them. For a character like Ezio, for example, facing right toward the camera is in character. So use your best judgment, and like I said at the beginning  PRACTICE IN THE MIRROR! If you practice then you will know if you look all derpy or not.

Also, here are some poses that tend to say certain things about a character. One hip popped up with a hand on your hip portrays someone who is sexy. Legs spread apart and arms crossed portrays some who is assertive. Feet together and hands near your face portrays innocence. Someone with their arms open wide or above their head would portray someone who is playful and friendly. Arms behind the back with your head tilted down would portray someone nervous or timid. These are also general and are just things I've noticed. You can always do some outside research to learn more about body language.

And one last thing-- Right before they take the photo, take a nice deep breath and stick your chest out. It looks nice. And you'll know you aren't inadvertently slouching (unless that's what you are going for).


So those are my photo posing tips! Like I said, I'm no professional, and Luna knows I've taken some pretty derp-tastic photos. But these are just the things that I found work for me. So I hope they are helpful!

(EDIT) I wrote earlier that Tim Boothby does the photo room at Anime Oasis, and I was misinformed. It is another photographer that does it at AO, but Tim does do a FREE photo room at Fandemonium and Tomodachi fest. So go check him out if you go to those cons!

And just so everyone knows, next week I will be posting late, since the convention goes until Monday. I want to do a convention review for my next post. So I'll need time to do some photo editing and I want to make a mini con recap video. I will hopefully post Wednesday or Thursday, but it might be later, depending on how many photos I take.


So I hope to see you all there! Here is my cosplay schedule if anyone wants to say hi!

Friday: Briar Rose/Aruora
Saturday: Sailor Moon
Sunday: Tyleet (early), Alice (afternoon), Lolita Coord (afternoon and evening)
Monday: Alice and/or Tyleet

See you soon!

~Edward

Cosplay Showcase: Samantha as AT-AT Walker

Hey! I'm on time today! Woo!


Cosplay showcase today!!! And it's super duper awesome! It's Samantha Witt with her AT-AT Walker quadsuit! And oh my Luna, It's amazing! I believe I saw it for the first time at Anime Oasis and I was so impressed! I'm excited she picked this one to showcase, because it really is marvelous!!

Imperial AT-AT Walker from Star Wars. 

Why did you chose this character to cosplay. Why did you chose it for the showcase? 

This is one of my greatest costumes I've ever made. There are no other AT-AT walker quadsuits out there that I can find. I undertook the construction of this costume because I was told it couldn't be done. 

What was your construction process? 

Well first and fore most I had NO IDEA what I was doing. I've never built a quadsuit before and my only information was copying what I saw on youtube. I have only reference pictures to go off of so the process of building and shaping the head and body was look at the picture, draw on the cardboard and if it looked right cut it out. The legs are PVC pipe and the feet are a combination of couch foam and wonderflex. It took about 6 months to get everything put together, tested and workable. A lot of work but a great pay off.  

The things you love about this cosplay. 

I love how unique it is. Like I stated before I've never seen another quadsuit version of an AT-AT and it I've never met anyone who hasn't liked it or admired it. I love how it brings smiles to everyone's face when they see it, especially the little kids. It's those moments that make all the work worth it. 

The things you hate. 

It is so TIRING to walking in and stay in the hunched over position for a long time. I made the mistake of wearing it for 9 hours my first time I ever wore it at a con and I paid for it in the morning. I also have very limited view, which is mainly the floor, so I cannot wear this on my own I have to have a handler with me so I don't bang into people and walls and also to keep people from knocking me over, which is difficult because I am very slow when I am walking around and in cons everyone is fast and hustling about. 

A general closing statement and where one might find more pictures of this and other cosplays you’ve done.

This costume is proof that if you dream it then it can happen. 

A good place to see this costume along with others visit here: 

Facebook

DeviantArt

Photographer's Facebook Page

Didn't I tell you? Didn't I??! She's amazing.  And I can't wait to see all her new cosplays at Anime Oasis this year. *looks at calender* Oh Luna! 10 days until AO!!! *gets back to sewing*


~Edward

Cosplayer Interview: Samantha Witt

Wow... I am so lame... I don't even have an excuse this time. I just totally forgot.So I'd best get on with it before it's Friday!

I think today I will do a cosplayer interview!

Today our guest is Samantha! I don't know her super well, but I have spoken to her a few times and do know her cosplays! I've also been to her panel about body image and cosplay, which was very emotional and really great! I highly suggest everyone attend it if she does another similar panel! I have so much respect for her skills as a seamstress and cosplayer. She is one of my cosplaying role models!

Your name or Cosplay Name:

Samantha Witt

Photo By Carol Witt

Age: 25 

How long have you been cosplaying? About 5 years. 

What was your first cosplay?

 Tifa Lockheart from Final Fantasy 7 Advent Children.

Tifa Lockheart FF7
Photo by either Stephanie Obele or James Kelley

Do you make your cosplays, buy them pre-made online, or have them commissioned? 

I used to order them off line but after a bad experience I started to teach myself to sew. Except for things like shoes and wigs and sometimes jewelry I now make all my own stuff. 

Why do you cosplay? 

When I first started to cosplay it was an escape from my previous husband. It was a way for me to get out and experience something I was actually passionate about and it gave me a sense of belonging and acceptance. Besides that it was all around just fun!

Steampunk Witch Doctor OC
Photo by Tim Boothby

What is you favorite part about cosplay? 

The costuming and interaction with other people. Cosplay really helped me come out of my shell and embrace my true personality. I love the attention when I am in costume! 

What is your least favorite part? 

The bloody drama! I dislike not only that but also the unhealthy popularity contest that cosplay is somewhat devolving into and the unnecessary negativity towards cosplayers and their body types.   

Who is your favorite character to cosplay?

Personally I like wearing my own original character creations the most but if I have to pick a character I love wearing Seras Victoria the most. 

Seras Victoria- Hellsing OVA
Photo by Kyle Duckwits

What is your favorite cosplay to wear? 

I love my AT-AT the most. It's tiring and not always so coordinated to walk in but it makes people smile the most so it's worth it. 

What is your least favorite cosplay to wear?

Subaru from .Hack/Sign. Don't get me wrong I like the cosplay and it is very pretty but oh my god it is such a bitch to get into and walk around in. It is only rare times I will wear it. 

AT-AT Walker- Star Wars
Photo by Tim Boothby

What was the most complicated cosplay you’ve worked on? 

It is a mix of AT-AT, Subaru and Glados. All were complicated and the top and sleeves of Subaru cause many fits of crying. 

What was the least complicated? 

Jack Frost from Rise of the Guardians. 

What group cosplays have you been a part of? 

None, never been invited to one. 

What group cosplays would like to be part of? 

I am up for almost any group as long as I get enough time to actually make something for it.

Who are some characters you plan to cosplay in the future? 

My next character cosplay will be Christie from Dead or Alive and I'll have that for Fandom 2013. The next OC I want to do is a Steampunk Satyr. 

Military Punk OC
Photo by Tim Boothby

What crossplay characters have you done or would like to do? 

I have cosplayed Jack Frost and the next one I am thinking is either Merle or Daryl from the Walking Dead. >W<

Jack Frost- Rise of the Gaurdians
Photo by Tim Boothby

Who is a character people say you should cosplay, but you aren’t sure about? 

I've had suggestions to do characters from Ah My Goddess, Catwoman from Batman and a few others. I consider the suggestion but most of the time I won't do it. I have to feel some passion for the character to take on the job of creating it. 

What is your dream cosplay? 

Alduin from Skyrim. It would be a quadsuit of epicness! 

What is a cosplay you would love to do, but don’t feel you could pull off?

Pocahontas. I don't feel like any amount of spray tan or make-up would let me do this character justice. 

In your opinion, what makes a great cosplay? 

Sincere effort in your work.   

Emma Ai- Hell Girl
(Pppsst- I call this sincere effort! ^_^ ~ Edward)

At which conventions are we likely to see you? 

Anime Oasis, Tomodachi Fest, Fandomonium, FurIdaho, Anime Banzai, Anime Vegas and hopefully one day I'll get up to Sakura con. 

Any advice to other cosplayers?

If you're new to the fandom stay out of any and all drama if you can. If you are new to making anything just remember you are going to make crap you'll want to burn with fire but if you keep at it and not quit when it gets hard you'll eventually become that well-making cosplaying person that everyone will like and admire. I've been there and I know other people who are there right now. Also remember and hold it to your heart that cosplay to the very core is supposed to be FUN! It's not about being the most popular, the sexiest, the skinniest, or who can get the most pictures taken. It’s all about having fun and expressing yourself so don't take it too seriously and ignore the con snobs! Keep this in mind: Beauty fades but dumb is forever.

What are some other hobbies you have, other than cosplaying?

I enjoy video games and nature. I love to go to the park and swing. I like making dresses (not for cosplay).

Favorite anime/tv shows? I adore Hell Girl but right now I love Walking Dead and Game of Thrones. 

Favorite movie? Too many to count

Favorite books/manga? I love The Stand by Stephen King and Jurassic Park by Micheal Crichton. I don't read manga. 

Favorite video games? God of War series is my ultimate favorite followed by the Final Fantasy series. 

Favorite color? Purple

Favorite food? Pot Roast with gravy and potatoes. 

Favorite desert? Anything with cookies dough.

Favorite curse word? Son of a dick! 

What are some websites where we can see more of you? I have a Facebook page and a DA page.

WHAT WHAT WHAAAT IS THIS ABOUT NOT BEING INVITED TO A GROUP?!?! This must be changed. I have decreed it! 
Also... I'd like to note, that I too have a deep love for pot roast with gravy and potatoes.

Anyway! She's awesome! And I suggest you all go check out her other pages because these photos are just a small snippet of her amazing work!

Next week will be her showcase! So come check it out, cus it's a good one!!


~Edward

P.S. I'd like to say, I am so happy that my emoticons are working again. How I missed them!