Not quite sure what to expect?

That’s ok, but read through here for information about what to expect from a Black Hole Cosplay Event for both cosplayers/models or photographers

It can be a challenge and a bit hectic to get photos of your awesome cosplays on a convention day. or a cosplayer, there’s the challenge of finding a photographer (and getting the photos after). For a photographer, the convention hall doesn’t offer much variety to create photos that don’t look like they’ve been taken at the hall. Cassa (from Cassa’s Shots) and I want to create a space to help with that.

The intent for this is for it to be a “time for prints/photos” networking event. However, we know that photos take time and effort to edit. Photographers should aim to supply five (5) edited photos per cosplayer. Beyond this, if you would like to charge for further edits or prints, please have that information available on the day and be up front about discussing it.

These tips and expectations are goals and may be updated as we move foward.



The first rule of cosplay photography is always cosplay is not consent.

Cosplayers or Models

This refers to anyone who is attending with a primary purpose of being infront of a camera.

Bring yourself and your cosplay! If it’s a bulky outfit and you need a handler let us know and we will note that you’re bringing someone along. If they want to get photos to, they’ll need their own ticket. It’s not essential, but a moodboard with pose ideas or your favourite pictures of the character really helps get creative photography rolling.

Full day shoots can be long and hectic as well as hot (depending on where we are). We endeavour to have a couple of set ideas at each event with different lighting styles or backdrops. There is typically not an offical order to who will be shooting where and when - if you would like photos, please speak to one of the people holding a camera!

While “one cosplayer, one photographer” is common courtesy at conventions and “shoulder sniping” is frowned upon, there may be situations at Black Hole events that is a bit more red carpet-style where multiple photographers are working at one lighting set-up. This is more likely to happen where continuous lighting is being used. The benefit is, you get many different perspectives of yourself! If this becomes overwhelming, just let the photographers know that you need a break - asking if you should change something about your pose is a great way to break things up.

Photographers

This refers to anyone who is attending and bringing a camera along with them.

Bring yourself and your camera. If you would like to bring along specific lighting and setup your own space or contribute to something we have planned, reach out and let us know beforehand. Usually there will be some GODOX flash lighting at an event. If you have a GODOX controller that works with your camera, and would like to use lights that may be present, please bring it along with you.

For many locations, it may not be possible to use a lens longer than 80mm full frame equivalent due to space at the venue.

Bring some business cards or a QR code so that people can find and contact you after the event. Additionally, in the future we’d like to create space to promote photographers’ businesses - we’ll let you know what information to bring along in this situation.

Be willing to be collaborative with other photographers. While sniping a shot is frowned upon at conventions, we have noted that continuous-light set-ups can inspire the instigation of a more red carpet-style shooting environment. In this situation, please be kind and considerate to the cosplayer or cosplayers as well as your fellow photographers.

Sharing a back-of-the-camera preview can be a great way to build confidence with a cosplayer or model that you haven’t worked with before that the photos are turning out well. It can also be useful to share this as a tool for tweaking poses. You don’t need to share as often as Alison from Have Camera Will Snap does, but every now and then can be a good thing.

The expectation for photographers is that they will provide 5 edited images per cosplayer as TFP (time for photos).