The Spectrum of Cosplay Photoshoots: From Casual Fun to Epic Projects

As you continue on your career/hobby as a cosplay photographer or cosplayer, you'll often come across terms like "casual shoots", "studio shoots", "project shoots" or "Passion Projects". Personally, it's important to state the intended effort and quality to be put into a shoot before actually going the shoot itself. Typically this kind of thing isn't talked a lot that much in our current community (PH Cosplay community, 2024). It's more or less inferred by the photographer and cosplayer's reputation and skill-level.

Casual does not automatically mean "Low Quality" or "Low Effort"

I often like to take casual photoshoots in cosplay conventions. Depending on the situation, time and effort you'd like to give, you can produce really amazing shots. The question I'd like to ask though, is what makes a casual shoot called "Casual"?

In the context of cosplay convention shoots, what I would like to think what "casual" photoshoots are the usage of well-known tropes and poses, and "safe" lighting conditions, which means minimal shadows, and a well-lit face. You could say "Casual" shoots are more unplanned and spontaneous. Although you can also have more planned shoots that are also casual. Casual shoots tend to be more:

• Spontaneous
• Low planning involved
• Often have informal locations for the character
• Flexible and relaxed

As much as I would like every photoshoot to be special and not to be considered as "casual", I do think that skill level and being "casual" are not directly proportional with each other. Casual photoshoots can still end up looking amazing.

What separates a Planned Shoot from a Casual shoot then?

I guess it's pretty self-explanatory what planned shoots are.

Planned shoots have more intent involved. You plan, set a date, and invite the photographer/cosplayer you want to work with. Location plays a lot more significance in the image. There is a more collaborative and structured approach. Typically the photos are more consistent in quality and in theme.

Nilou Reference Sheet

Reference Sheet for Nilou from Genshin Impact Cosplay shoots

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There's more avenue for creative freedom and experimentation involved. In essence, you make a viable and cohesive photoset, rather than a few off-hand shots. We aim towards creating believable fiction, as if the cosplayer was in the series (typically). Photos are a lot more presentable, and if the photos are for sale; are worth more.

Passion Projects

Just like planned shoots, only with more planning and with a whole lot more... passion.

Passion projects are creative endeavors pursued out of personal interest, enthusiasm, or love for a particular character or series. These projects often go beyond professional obligations and are driven by the individual's intrinsic motivation and genuine passion.

These shoots can vary, with very simple to very complex setups. It may involve a lot of props, a specific location or a lot of helpers, or a lot of multiple photoshoots to complete a concept. Often these photoshoots produce very unique-looking or very striking images.

While it's great to have passion projects, it's often more physically, emotionally, and often financially draining to do these kinds of photoshoots. It's highly personal what can be considered a passion project.

Now that we have the the spectrum of cosplay photoshoots, with the aspects, can we better describe photoshoots now? Read more:

The aspects of Cosplay Photography and how to improve on each of them

I’ve been stuck in a rut recently, I feel like I’m stuck in a loop of endless dead-ends in what I’m doing. Maybe a little bit of introspection will help point me forward on to improvement.

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