August, 2021
After incorporating my business, I decided to get out there and start shooting. Much like any endeavor, it was very trepidatious. I didn’t know many people in the community, and it seemed like photographers were crawling over each other to get the best shot.
Frustration mounts.
Frustration leads to anxiety.
Anxiety leads to a need to quit.
Eventually, I gave up and left the event. Although I did take some photos (and they ended up becoming some very interesting composites) I still denied myself a large number of opportunities that I should have embraced.
No matter what path you traverse in the con and cosplay community, you are going to run into situations just like this. Take a deep breath, remember your goals, and keep kicking ass.
As a pro cosplay photographer, I have shot more events/cosplayers/collaborations than I can count since then.
I have seen a lot of success in that time.
More importantly, I have learned a lot of lessons as well.
If you are just starting out in the cosplay community, read on. Although I respect the lessons I have learned because I embrace the freedom to fail, if others can take advantage of the opportunities that I have learned the hard way…Then they may lead to new opportunities. A high tide raises all ships.
The opportunities I have learned as a pro cosplay photographer.
Don’t worry about the competition.
No matter what as a Cosplay Photographer, you will have someone in your corner of the community that is doing something just like you. The larger the community you are a part of, the more you will see this. Eventually, you will run into those who can do the same things you do, but better. This will intimidate the shit out of you, and at times you will want to give up. Don’t give up! Eventually, your paths will diverge and you will find your place in the community amongst them.
After talking myself out of hanging up my camera a few hundred times, I realized something.
If I stop worrying and reacting to what my competition is doing, I make better art.
-My composites became more detailed
-My style became more defined
-Earned more clients (including more events)
-Got my first collaboration.
-Was able to focus on networking, and dealt with much less drama.
The lesson I learned is that if you want to make better art, stop being reactive to your competition. Let them worry about (and react) to what you are doing. Keep making badass work and let that define you. You will learn quickly that you have a lot more time to manifest success and have a lot less stress.
Go to as many events as possible.
If you have a dream of being the best Pro Cosplay Photographer possible, then you need to get out there and go to events. Social Media is great and can help you find your tribe, but you still need to show up to events and network. At times, that means you are going to have uncomfortable conversations. Both with yourself and others.
The uncomfortable conversations
With others:
The Normies are not always going to understand why you have spent an abundance of time and money on that awesome new camera. Or that amazing cosplay. When they have something that requires your time, you are going to be required to say no to them at times. Yes, it is going to be the emotional equivalency of cutting off an appendage with a butterknife, but your dream is important to you. And at times that will mean the dream comes first. Even over friends and family.
I have missed family gatherings, weddings, day-job functions (The voluntary ones – you must keep your day job for now), funerals and many other life events to meet my goals and attend events or collaborations. It at times has cost me relationships with those I care about, but my dream comes first. Not everyone will understand that you put yourself in front of others, and it will be painful. Remember your dream and keep moving forward.
With yourself:
As a Cosplay Photographer, there will be times where you are frustrated, annoyed, filled with terror or otherwise just “Don’t feel like it”. That can be because the new anime season came out, or you had to deal with Drama at the last event. Sometimes, you are going to be burned out on events (Invite me to an event in August/September and see where that gets you). It’s the nature of the beast.
At the same time, you must move past all of that and keep moving forward. This will require you to pick yourself up by your camera strap and attend that event. Even if you don’t want to until you get there. Yes, you will have those times where your inner two-year-old will throw a complete conniption fit and you will sit in a pile of foam while screaming at nothing three hours before opening ceremony. Give your inner child a cookie. Then, remind yourself that this is your dream you are talking about. The dream where you promised yourself you would do anything for.
At first, this will seem like walking through two feet of mud. Barefoot. Like most habits, it will get easier the more you do it. More importantly, it will strengthen your resolve and help you achieve your dream.
Go to as many events as possible as a cosplay photographer. Network, and keep living your dream.
Don’t put anyone up on a pedestal.
Originally, I wanted to make this title “don’t fangasim” but that doesn’t cover all the bases. Celebs aren’t the only people that someone can second guess yourself around.
I have stuck my foot in my mouth on many occasions…
Potential Clients – What if they say no? A/B/C photographer would do a better job…
Event organizers – They already have a photographer. Why am I wasting my time with this?
Pro Cosplayers – What if the photo doesn’t look good? What if They don’t like my cosplay?
Celebs – OMG! It’s (Insert favorite celeb here) I’m going to stutter and be super awkward.
This WILL happen to you, and it will happen at the worst time possible. Here’s the thing: all the people you put on that pedestal are just as human as the rest of us. They have bills to pay, drama to deal with, and people that they hold up on a pedestal (sometimes it’s you and you don’t realize it).
You MUST move past this if you plan upon reaching your goals. Sharks have no necks. Don’t let the voice win, and be yourself; it’s what got you where you are now, and it will get you much farther as you continue to achieve your goals.
As I continued to dine on the delicacy known as the “materials that compose my shoe” I started to learn that most of the people that I was intimidated by are just as human as the rest of us. We just get so absorbed in our own feelings that we don’t even realize it. Negativity can be the clog in your creative pipeline, clearing it out will put it back on track.
Here is an example:
I met a rather popular cosplayer in 2021. I was petrified, as they had a million-plus followers on social media and a lot of people were coming up to them as if they were “Paying respects” to a mafia boss; it was extremely intimidating. So, I ignored them to stop myself from sticking my foot in my mouth. The follow day at the event, this individual came up to me. They were very nervous and knew me by name (both personally and as a business). After a few pleasantries, they asked me if I would shoot them quick in a “really cool area” they found at the venue. We ended up making some amazing composites, and we have been good friends since.
They ended up being as intimidated by me as I was of them. To this day, I have been nothing but shocked by this.
Don’t put people on a pedestal. Treat everyone the same way you expect to be treated. You will have a much easier time growing towards your dream.
Meet as many people as possible.
Although there is an entire blog Here regarding networking, this is just as important as going to as many events as possible. Much like putting people on a pedestal, meeting people at a con can be intimidating. As you traverse through the hallowed halls of your favorite event, you will see thousands of others just like you. Although it can be daunting just walking up to someone and striking a conversation, it is a necessary facet of manifesting your dream. You need to get out of your comfort zone and meet people across all fandoms and all walks of life.
You never know, that random person you walk up to may be your next client. Or your next collaboration, or a good friend. Yes, just as many times they may be nobody. But in this community, there are few people that will not be able to assist you in one project or another. Collaborations make the world go round. Remember that.
Keep your ego out of it.
A healthy ego is a good thing. It can help remind you that you can fulfill your dream, and you are capable of great things. On the other hand, an unhealthy ego can lead to drama and headaches.
Here is an example:
I was collaborating with a convention while they were advertising for another event. I helped them out with some photos for advertising on their upcoming con. While I was there, I made an introduction for one of the cosplay groups attending to collaborate with the promoter for the event. This cosplay group was extremely popular in the community. They were a federal nonprofit and had over a hundred members. The chairperson of this organization had a very strong ego. Not to mention, they also had a lot of pro-caliber cosplayers in their group.
When the event promoter inquired about this organization attending their event as a guest, the
Chairperson immediately scoffed, saying “Our organization is too big to be a guest at such a small event. We only guest at events that are worth our time”. This chairperson then walked away, while the promoter and I stood there, guffawed by the level of candid arrogance.
This ended up causing a very large amount of drama in the community, and the organization mentioned above ended up dissolving over other issues. The event is now dramatically larger, and quite successful despite the chairperson’s arrogance (there is always another cosplay group).
Situations like this are common. You never want to be the chairperson in this story. Not that I am recommending you say yes to everything, but you need to keep your ego out of it when you are given an opportunity, no matter how large or small it is. Instead, find a reason to politely decline their offer and leave the door open for future collabs.
You never know, you may be coming to them asking to collaborate next time.
Post more on Social media about your goals and projects
I feel this one in my soul as a cosplay photographer. I am personally not a fan of social media (that’s for another blog) and that has kept me from reaching my goals for most of the journey along my path. Social media is a double-edged sword. It is one of the most important marketing tools you have at your disposal. It is also a giant soul-sucking rabbit hole that can show you the darkest sides of the human psyche. Balance is needed when utilizing this powerful tool.
Utilizing social media tools such as the built in ones (for instance Meta Business Suite) or the third-party applications (such as hootsuite) is your best bet to schedule posts and keep yourself and your dream relevant without falling down the several hour rabbit hole of your news feed. Try to post relevant content at least three to five times a week. Content is crucial. Don’t focus on one social media site. Try to take advantage of as many as possible without spending your valuable time staring at cat videos.
Always have marketing material.
Last (and far from) the least, make sure you always have your marketing materials. This could be a small print of your latest cosplay, business cards (or a digital card), Pins/buttons, Badge Ribbons, postcards, or even a QR code on your cosplay. If you are Networking (and you should) at events, people are going to want more information about your dream. Make sure you have everything you need before you leave for an event. Set a minimum amount of anything that you give away and reorder these items when you hit that level of inventory. Running out of marketing materials is a painful lesson to learn when you are in the middle of networking and a client asked for a business card.
For Example:
I was hosting a panel about cosplay photography this summer. It was a relatively small anime con, and they had a reputation for being anti-Photographer (I had attended a panel a few years before where their Pro Cosplay guest said “Do not hire a pro photographer, use your phone” THIS BLOG explains why that may not be the best course of action).
Nearly fifty people showed up to the panel, and it was dramatically more successful than I expected. The downside? I had about ten business cards on me, thinking that there was not going to be many attendees at the panel. It was extremely unprofessional and embarrassing for me, and I lost potential business because of it. Lesson learned.
Hopefully, you have learned a bit from the lessons I learned the hard way.
The final lesson is the hardest…and most important.
Make your own mistakes and learn from them.
I implore you, make your own mistakes. Learn your own lessons. The hard way.
Take risks. Jump headfirst into an opportunity you know nothing about. Yes, it can be scary, but it will help you grow into your dream.
Remember: Everything you want in life is outside of your comfort zone.
Do you have a dream to be a professional cosplayer, Vendor, Photographer, Artist, or convention organizer? Schedule a consultation with us. We would love to help you!
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