Armor from Fabric and Foam Sheets Tutorial by RuffleButtCosplay

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Tom Good

How many years have you been into photography and what got you into cosplay photography?
I have enjoyed photography in general for over 30 years, but I’d say I got more serious about it a few years ago.  I got into cosplay photography when I attended Kumoricon for the first time in 2005 and saw how much fun that was. Then about 2 years ago I started becoming more involved with the local cosplay community, and doing cosplay photography more often than just at conventions a few times a year.

What regions do you usually cover, and do you charge for photoshoots? Also, how does one get in contact to shoot with you?
I go to conventions in Oregon, Washington, and California. I do not charge for cosplay photoshoots, because I do them as a way to support the cosplay community. Cosplayers are welcome to contact me through Facebook, though I can’t guarantee that I’ll be available for photoshoots, because I get pretty busy.

Meepy-Gal as Rei from Evangelion, photo by Tom Good

What type of photoshoots do you prefer and why?
I like photoshoots where everyone gets something more out of it than just photos — where it feels like spending time with friends and having fun together. I like to get together with a small group of people and go out to some interesting location for the shoot as a “road trip.” It’s fun to try something new, whether it’s a new location, or different equipment, or just a new creative idea.

What is some of your favorite equipment you work with and why?
The remote flash radio triggers from CowboyStudio are great; I use them on almost every shoot. They are inexpensive and reliable, and they allow me to position strobes just about anywhere and trigger them from the camera. I also get a lot of use out of a simple 32″ white/silver reflector from Creative Light, because it fits in a backpack, and I can use it outdoors with natural light, or indoors for bounced flash.

What are you excited to be working with in the future and why?
In terms of gear, I’m not sure, because I don’t think I’ve fully explored what I can do with what I have now.

What are some of the traits you like to see in other photographers and who do you think does them well?
I like to see photographers who have a strong personal style, and who use color, light, and composition to create a photo that makes me stop and want to take a second look. One photographer I’ve been following for quite a while is Anna Fischer. I really like her cosplay photos.

Nukka as Filia from Skullgirls, photo by Tom Good

What is your view of the “cosplay scene”?
I’m amazed at how much the cosplay scene has grown and gotten more sophisticated in the last 7 years. The construction quality of some cosplay creators is incredibly professional and beautiful. Here in the Portland area, the cosplay scene is very fun and the people are great. That’s probably the main reason why I’ve spent so much time on cosplay photography in the last couple of years — I like working with that group of people. Perhaps if I hadn’t met that group of people, I would have moved on to some other type of photography.

What are some of the things you want to see change in the scene?
I’m not sure what I’d want to see change; that’s a tough question. In a way I hope it doesn’t change too much.

What is some advice you could give people starting to get into photography?
Take photos often with whatever camera you have, even if it is your phone. Take many variations of photos of the same subject, and then spend the time to figure out why some work better than others. Get feedback on your photos — one of the great things about photographing people is that they can tell you which photos they like better than others. And sometimes there might be negative feedback, like “ugh, delete that one!” But it can be valuable to hear that and learn from it.

What are some of your favorite conventions you’ve attended and why?
One is Sakura-Con, because it is a big, lively, fun gathering with so much going on. Kumoricon is also great, and it is smaller with more of a “giant family” atmosphere. I’ve also really enjoyed Wonder Northwest — it is a pretty small convention (so far), but I know a lot of people who go, and the mood there is always great.

Meepy-Gal and Shaynii as Rei and Asuka from Evangelion, photo by Tom Good

Thanks for the interview, Tom Good! To check out his work and contact him for a shoot, you can check out his Facebook page and his Flickr!

Paprika out of costume, photo by Jailbreak Photography

What’s your cosplay alias and why did you choose it?
I don’t really have one most people know me by, but the self-proclaimed nickname that I use on most accounts is Paprika. Though most people just know me by Kitty!

How many years have you been cosplaying and what got you started?
I’ve wanted to cosplay since I first got into anime in middle school, but never actually got to it until I was 18. So, I’ve only really been cosplaying for a couple years!

Paprika as Demon Nurse from Silent Hill 3, photo by Jeff Mawer

What has been some of your favorite things to work with when constructing costumes and why?
I love planning out the construction of the costume, and paying attention to detail so the final result looks that much better! As soon as I find another character I want to cosplay, I get excited and start planning out how I’m going to do it by sketching it all out in parts and taking a lot of notes before I actually start on it.

What are you excited to be working with in the future and why?
The cosplay I’m most excited to tackle, yet admittedly, just as nervous to start, is Gaige, the Mechromancer, from Borderlands 2. I rarely get so engrossed with a character, but when I do, I always have to cosplay them. Her build and personality are so similar to mine that it would really be a crime if I didn’t cosplay her! I look forward to constructing her robot arm and adding all the crazy details within her outfit!

What are some of the traits you like to see in other costumes and who do you think does well in them?
I love when cosplayers pay attention to detail. Small things like extra embroidery, painting on small details or in general just going out of one’s comfort zone just to be as accurate as possible is a really admirable quality I look for in other costumes.

What is your view of the “cosplay scene”?
I’m rather new to the whole idea of being a part of a cosplay scene: for the most part, I just stick with my close friends or do it on my own. But many pacific northwestern cosplayers I’ve met are really sweet and helpful which is great for introverted types like me. There are so many talented and inspirational cosplayers in the area, and ideally I’d like to incorporate myself within the community even more!

Paprika as Ho-Oh from Pokémon Gijinka, photo by Neisje Morrell

What are some of the things you want to see change in the scene?
I’ve seen a lot of relentless judging of other cosplayers because of their body type or other irrelevant factors. Everyone who chooses to cosplay should be able to do so without fear of people tearing them apart verbally to their face or behind their backs (not to say constructive criticism shouldn’t be used when necessary or asked for however).

What is some advice you could give people starting to get into cosplay?
Patience is key! Just keep yourself motivated with imagery of how awesome you’re going to look in your new costume, and put that energy into making your cosplay the best you can. If you can’t sew, ask around your friend group, chances are you’ll find someone who can help you get started. Be open to some fair/constructive criticism if you want to get into doing more elaborate costumes, but most importantly do it to have fun!

What are some of your favorite conventions you’ve attended and why?
Honestly, some of the smallest conventions I’ve attended were the most fun! I really loved Wonder Northwest this year and am excited to attend next year as well. PAX Prime was probably my favorite convention I’ve ever attended, though; very laid back, and a lot of exciting game-related panels and events going on that I was actually interested in attending!

Give a random fact about one of your costumes that you’re proud of!
The big skirt on my Peacock (Skullgirls) cosplay: one of my best friends and I tried at least three times to custom make a skirt pattern to fit to the same size of my hoop skirt I had purchased for it. Not to mention all the ‘lace’/scallop shapes on the bottom of the dress are all individually cut and sewn on. It was probably one of the factors that drove me crazy and took longer than it should have, but it ended up being worth the extra time and I’m so glad I did them that way!

Paprika as Peacock from Skullgirls, photo by Lucid Visual Designs

Thanks for the interview, Paprika! You can see more of her work on her Tumblr, her Deviantart, and her Facebook page!

Chou-Wa as Sheryl Nome from Macross Frontier, photo by Fenyx Design

What’s your cosplay alias and why did you choose it?
I generally just go by my name for my personal cosplay work, but my commissions and photography are under the name “Chou-Wa,” which means “harmony.” It’s the name of a song that I really like. Some of my older sites are also under “Gerodere,” who is a character from the manga, Rose of Versailles. My friends thought it was hilarious because his name started with “Ger,” and it stuck.

How many years have you been cosplaying and what got you started?
I’ve been cosplaying since 2007. I’ve wanted to cosplay since around 2000, but due to finances and other situations, it wasn’t feasible then. In 2007, a few friends convinced me to join them in a group for a convention. The group fell through, but I finished the costume anyway and haven’t stopped since.

Chou-Wa as Berserker Yuna from Final Fantasy X-2, photo by Elemental

What has been some of your favorite things to work with when constructing costumes and why?
I’m first and foremost a prop maker. I dislike sewing and honestly don’t think I’m very good at it; for me it’s more a means to an end. Props seem to come more naturally to me. I do mostly woodworking and not as much with things like resin and casting.

What are you excited to be working with in the future and why?
I’m actually scaling back my cosplay for the next year, as I’m traveling the country to work on my cosplay photobook and all my money is going toward that. I’m really excited about the book though, and not being able to make a lot of new costumes is a tradeoff that is more than reasonable.

What are some of the traits you like to see in other costumes and who do you think does well in them?
A well-tailored and well-fitting costume does a lot. It doesn’t have to be fancy to catch my attention. I’m a child of the 80s and 90s when it comes to anime, so anything old school (Macross, Fushigi Yuugi, Cowboy Bebop, Utena) automatically draws me more than anything. Well-made props also make me look twice and want to take someone’s picture.

What is your view of the “cosplay scene”?
I find it fascinating how the cosplay “scene” has been changing from when I started until now. Facebook and the internet have played a big part in how well-known some cosplayers are in the community, as well as the proliferation of things like commissions, prints, US-based wig stores like Arda Wigs, and cosplay photography. I’m older than most of the cosplayers in the scene, so sometimes I feel a bit detached and left out, which can be both good and bad. I have been interviewing people from all over the country as I travel and most of them tell me that they have frustrations with the scene wherever they are, but it doesn’t diminish their enjoyment of the hobby.

Chou-Wa as Eiko from Final Fantasy IX, photo by Anna Fischer

What are some of the things you want to see change in the scene?
As with any niche interest that gets popular, cosplayers are a much more diverse group now, and in a group this big, there are always not so nice people. I think the advice of “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” really holds true in cosplay. People do it for fun, as a hobby and as an escape from real life, to find people who are into the same interests as they are. There are already plenty of mean people out there in the world; cosplayers should respect their fellow cosplayers and just enjoy themselves.

What is some advice you could give people starting to get into cosplay?
My advice is generally for younger people in junior high school or high school. I’ve seen a lot of people who want to cosplay, but don’t have the money or have gotten into arguments with their parents, who don’t understand. Do what you can to the best of your ability. Don’t alienate your family because of cosplay or neglect school because of cosplay; there will always be next year.

What are some of your favorite conventions you’ve attended and why?
Anime Boston is my home convention and Otakon was my first real con experience, so those two hold a special place in my heart. Anime USA this year was really fun for me as well. It was smaller and held at the end of the year, and I enjoyed the laid-back vibe.

Give a random fact about one of your costumes that you’re proud of!
I guess I’m most proud of my monster Shiva wig (Final Fantasy X). It cost a lot of money and took a long time to make, and I’m very happy about the way it came out.

Chou-Wa as Shiva from Final Fantasy X, photo by Elysium Entertainment

Thanks for the interview, Chou-Wa! You can see more of her work on her website, her Deviantart, her Twitter, her Youtube account, and her Facebook page!

Seifer-sama as Puppet Zelda, creator of Zant costume from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, photo by LJinto

What’s your cosplay alias and why did you choose it?
Seifer-sama is my cosplay alias and general art alias as well. It was a nickname given to me by my friends and it just stuck.

How many years have you been cosplaying and what got you started?
I have been cosplaying and going to cons since 2006. I didn’t start making my own cosplays until 2008 though. In 2006, my friend mentioned that there was an anime convention nearby and dragged me along with her. I had such a wonderful time that I have been going ever since.

Seifer-sama as Chun Li from Street Fighter, photo by Shibuya

What has been some of your favorite things to work with when constructing costumes and why?
Some of my favorite things to work with have been wonderflex, suede and taffeta. I use wonderflex for all of my armor pieces and I just love it. It’s solid and sturdy and I don’t have to worry about it breaking if I have a clumsy moment. As for suede and taffeta, I have no idea why, but they are some of my favorite fabrics to work with. If I could get away with it, I would probably make entire costumes out of each one.

What are you excited to be working with in the future and why?
I am really excited to start working with props and LED’s. I have had a few ideas in the past for props, but never really had an idea of where to start. I think I am finally confident enough in my skills to put some of my ideas to the test. Hopefully the results will be worth it.

What are some of the traits you like to see in other costumes and who do you think does well in them?
I like to see a lot of different traits in other costumes. I love details and embellishments! I love to see people try unique techniques and creative ideas. As for who I think does well in this area, I would have to say everyone succeeds in this area. Everyone’s costume is different and therefore special.

What is your view of the “cosplay scene”?
I think for the most part, the cosplay community is a very supportive one. You have a group of people with similar interests gathering together to cosplay their favorite characters and to share their vision of that character with others. I think it does have it’s bouts of drama, like everything in this world, but for the most part, I think it’s a positive community and I am so happy to be apart of it.

What are some of the things you want to see change in the scene?
As for what changes I would like to see, I would love to see the “bad mouthing” of other cosplayers stop. I know that everyone has a right to voice their opinion, but I think doing so to deliberately hurt someone’s feelings or attack them personally is uncalled for and really immature. I believe that every cosplay is beautiful and that a person shouldn’t be judged solely based on their gender, their race, their looks, their height, or their weight. That’s not what cosplay is about. We are cosplayers, not models. The point of cosplay is to show your personal interpretation of a character, not to become that character. Let’s face it, not everyone can be as thin, as buff, as short, or as tall as some of these characters, so why judge someone on something they have no control over? I would like to see people forget the unimportant details, and just appreciate each costume and embrace each one for its unique differences.

Seifer-sama as Vaati from The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap

What is some advice you could give people starting to get into cosplay?
My advice to new cosplayers is to have fun. Cosplay is about fun! Also, it doesn’t matter if this is your first costume or your fiftieth, ask questions, try new things, and research as much as you can. You can always learn something new and the more you learn and try, the better you will become. I would also say to newcomers, don’t be intimidated by advanced cosplayers, they started at the beginning once before too. They are where they are because they put in time and effort. They have made mistakes and learned from them and kept practicing. If you stick with it and continue to do your best, you will get there one day too.

What are some of your favorite conventions you’ve attended and why?
Some of my most favorite conventions are Sac-Anime, Sakuracon, and Fanime. I think each con has a very different flavor and they all vary in size, but each time I go I meet some of the most amazing people and experience some of the most memorable events. I love meeting other cosplayers who are passionate about the same games and shows as me and talking about our successes and struggles in the cosplay world. It seems like each time I go to these cons I end up meeting someone new and interesting. I look forward to each one every year.

Give a random fact about one of your costumes that you’re proud of!
A random fact about one of my cosplays that I am immensely proud of is that I hand embroidered all the flower designs on my Terra cosplay. I had only done embroidery once before on another costume, but not nearly to the extent that Terra called for, and the technique I used for Terra was a new one, and pretty advanced. The process took me almost a year to complete, but I am so happy with the results. The embroidery is all across the dress, on both gloves, and on both boots. It’s probably my most favorite costume to date.

Seifer-sama as Terra from Final Fantasy VI/Dissidia

Thanks for the interview, Seifer-sama! You can see more of her work on her Deviantart, her American Cosplay Paradise account, her World Cosplay account, her Cosplay.com account, and her Facebook page!

Brown/Purple Doe Eyes Make-Up Tutorial by Hedwyg23

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The Toriachan as Saix from Kingdom Hearts, photo by Firebird Photography

What’s your cosplay alias and why did you choose it?
The Toriachan, Shachou, Mansex, and Haruka. I cosplay so much, especially the characters I’m called. I’m known all over the world, having been published in magazines.

How many years have you been cosplaying and what got you started?
15 years, and I love anime and video games. I thought it would be interesting to dress as someone else, and explore character and attitudes.

The Toriachan as Die from Dir en Grey

What has been some of your favorite things to work with when constructing costumes and why?
I love making weapons. I think it adds to the costume the most. You see the wig, you know who it is. Also, I love designing and hand-sewing wigs. They are essential to a perfect cosplay.

What are you excited to be working with in the future and why?
This year I did Saix, and it was a blast. I have several photoshoots coming up, especially Jack Frost and Saix-puppy. Organization XIII is so much fun. You can cosplay the characters alone and everyone comes together.

What are some of the traits you like to see in other costumes and who do you think does well in them?
Wigs and weapons, I think I do a wonderful job, but there are so many people who are absolutely wonderful. I love to see perfection, down to the last detail.

The Toriachan as Rufus from Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

What is your view of the “cosplay scene”?
There are elitist, annoying people, who judge individuals by their cosplay. Some people work very hard and are first-time cosplayers. People should respect that others have the guts to do cosplay in the first place.

What are some of the things you want to see change in the scene?
Elitism.

What is some advice you could give people starting to get into cosplay?
Pay attention to the details. Sometimes they can be the most important thing in a costume. And have fun!

What are some of your favorite conventions you’ve attended and why?
Anime Central, Otakon, and Yaoi-con. I also love first year cons since people put so much work into them. People travel long distances for anime conventions.

Give a random fact about one of your costumes that you’re proud of!
My Xemnas wig. It was hand-sewn and I used wig pins to make it beautiful.

The Toriachan as Xemnas from Kingdom Hearts

Thanks for the interview, The Toriachan! Hope to see you at a convention sometime soon!

Drawstring Bag Tutorial by K.D. Thompson

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Plain and simple, people (yes, men and women) will ogle. If someone says they never do, they’re LYING. People tend to stare at things that stick out or appeal to them, whether aesthetically or sexually, it will happen. When it turns into something that is overwhelmingly uncomfortable, by all means, SAY SOMETHING. Make it clear you’ve noticed and don’t approve. However, do be polite about it unless you have to take that extra step. We have enough negativity in the scene and sometimes, it’s best to be the bigger person.

The people who claim they don’t want any objectification need to keep in mind that society’s own rules have played against us. If you’re wearing a male character’s costume and blatantly sexualize it when you make it a female costume (and vice-versa since men do this too), you’re not asking for it, but you will receive it on some level. You’re turning a non-sexy character into a sexy character, and while you’re awesome for having that type of confidence, expect to hear it. You don’t have to tolerate it, at all, but do expect it. I do every time I wear certain costumes, and I ignore stupid things (or laugh at it genuinely in some cases), but if you personally cross my line, you’ll know it.

And in NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM is it okay for anyone to touch others. If you want a hug, high-five, anything like that, ASK. And by all means, you grope or touch someone inappropriately, you deserve the consequences of your actions. No matter what they may be.

As this community continues to become more mainstream (I’m looking at you SyFy; remember what happened to G4TV when they messed with cosplayers), we will have to deal with this type of stuff. We don’t need to be completely stand-offish and rude, but we do have the right to feel comfortable geeking out in costume. Speak up and speak out, but don’t be too horribly surprised when people act stupid. Society kind of told them it was okay to do in the first place. : /

Fluffy Bangs Wig Styling Tutorial by MeruCosplay

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