Booking photoshoots can be incredibly exciting. Don’t let that excitement distract you from being a great client though. There’s cosplay photography etiquette both the cosplayer and photographer needs to keep in mind. This helps to ensure everyone has a good time and is safe during the shoot which is a recipe for quality photo results. It also should be noted to always follow the golden rule of cosplayer when taking pictures of cosplayers.
Cosplayer Etiquette
If you want a photographer to be willingly to work with you on future shoots, consider the following.
- Respect their rules and pricing – A photographer probably has guidelines for a photoshoot with them. Be it they only work in studio, are only comfortable shooting individuals or aren’t willing to do boudoir. These guidelines and their pricing should be respected. If you can’t afford their prices or can’t work within their guidelines then it just isn’t the right fit.
- Be mindful of the set – Whether you are in their studio, a rental or a public setting, you’ll want to be mindful of the space. Don’t harass others, create major messes or break things.
- Patience – A photographer will probably have many clients or even have a day job. Try to be patient if they don’t immediately answer your inquiry or while waiting on photo edits. These things take time.
- Be polite – If you don’t like the results or aren’t a fan of the pose they suggest, just say so but do it politely.
- Come prepared – If you plan to do x costumes at a photoshoot, have all costumes ready and prepared at the time of your shoot. You don’t want to be wasting yours or the photographers time because you didn’t prep for the shoot.
- Be punctual – Show up at the right location on time. You can double check the start time and address a day or two before to confirm.
- Be professional – Even in a boudoir shoot, the setting should be kept professional. That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with your photographer. But you need to be respectful of the fact your photographer is there to take your pictures, not be hit on or disrespected.
- Credit photographers – When sharing your images after they’re done, be sure to credit the photographer. This can include sharing their link or tag their socials. The same goes for magazine submissions.
Photographer Etiquette
To keep the cosplayer safe and comfortable during the shoot, keep the following in mind.
- Respect boundaries – Some poses or levels of lewdness may not be comfortable to a cosplayer. Even in boudoir shoots, it’s important to be respectful of your cosplayer’s boundaries and even establishing them ahead of time. If they tell you something doesn’t make them comfortable, don’t push them.
- Be polite – When making suggestions for things like poses, be mindful of how you’re telling them.
- Come prepared – Be sure you have all the equipment and batteries you need to get through the entire duration of the photoshoot.
- Be punctual – Show up at the right location on time. Don’t be afraid to even double check the start time and address a day or two before to confirm.
- Be professional – Even in a boudoir shoot, the setting should be kept professional. You of course can still have fun and make conversation with the cosplayer. But you need to be respectful of the fact the client is there for you to take their pictures, not be hit on or disrespected.
- Be mindful in a public setting – If you’re shooting in a public setting, you’ll want to be mindful of the space. Don’t harass others, create major messes or break things in the area. You also won’t want to encourage your cosplayer to pose in areas that would be inconvenient for people in the area such as blocking exits.
- Credit cosplayers – When sharing the images after they’re edited, be sure to credit the cosplayer. This can include sharing their link or tag their socials. The same goes for magazine submissions.