Posing in Cosplay: how to get photos that don't suck. Part three.

[@Majstroo]

Wow! This series was so helpful. Thank you so so so much I learned so many things. I have a Princess Tutu cosplay that I love to death that I will wear this summer and now I will practise poses so I can do something good. I love the tips on how to get people take "more" pics of you, I never thought of that really. I would love a video on how to behave to get the pro photographers to shoot with you. What to do and not. Or how to get good "with friends" shoots to turn out good. Two thumbs up!

[@captainkanji]

I love taking pictures of cosplay. It's especially nice when the model already knows what poses they like. The lighting at conventions is usually pretty bad, especially if you are using a camera phone/point and shoot. If there are huge crowds around subjects, I'll put a wide angle lens on and get close so I can get the entire subject in the frame while avoiding the crowd.

[@RyukoPresents]

Thank you so much for this series. I've been making costumes for a while, but I never really put much energy or time into it until recently... so when a photographer at a con asked me to step aside with him for a short photoshoot, he kind of expected me to have many, many poses ready. I didn't, and it was a suuuuuuper awkward experience. I also really appreciate the tiny details you give about poses themselves, as I'm not a model and don't spend much time thinking about the 'way' I appear as I stand. :P

[@Rinukki]

This is an incredibly helpful and informative series. Posing isn't my strong point so this is a real blessing. Thank you for making it! I've shared it with my local cosplay group to help spread this :)

[@rosatyrs]

Fyi the word you were looking for as the part of the gun is "barrel." This is a wonderful video series, thank you very much! I always have problems coming up with poses, as I am rather wide in the hips and small in the chest, especially when I'm weilding my Kanaya chainsaw! This really helped!

[@mishi-shi]

This is super helpful, thank you. I've only been cosplaying for six months and I still really don't know how to pose, but now I feel like I have some basic ideas of what to do, so thank you again.

[@kateljentertainer]

I'm totally going to be watching these videos at least another 2 times before the next convention I go to, especially the posing bit! Thank you for your time!!

[@shammydammy2610]

Oh, thank you so much... I'm working on my second and third cosplays this winter. My first had a full mask so that I didn't have to deal with the fact that post-stroke, the side of my face doesn't move like it should. Now that I am working on non masked cosplays I find myself grimacing at my mirror trying to get both sides to work and play well with each other

[@sunago]

These aren't just great tips for cosplayers but for the photographers as well! I'm someone who does both photography and walks around in costume and either way these tips work. In costume I'll know how to pose a bit better and with photography I'll know what to look out for and what kind of tips I can give to the people who are posing for me. I'm a little shy with asking my 'models' to do this and that but I'll try to do it more often.

[@pixyelph]

out of ALL the cosplay tip videos but you were the one that helped me a LOT

[@angelboyd5723]

Thank you so much for these videos! I'm new to being in full cosplay at conventions, since I've always been the one to take the photos. Your advice is, indeed, very solid! I've been struggling with poses and I'll definitely take your advice to heart. Thank you!

[@lemonsama52]

This series is invaluable, Amanda!! Thanks so much for posting it

[@ElementalsVideos]

Heh, the ones where someone just walks up and asks for a photo with you? One of two things. Either strike your regular basic pose, or, if you're more comfortable, treat them a bit like a second cosplayer and stand a bit closer, lean an arm on their shoulder (ask if that's okay), or go back to back. The main thing is remember they'll probably never be for your gallery, so you can be silly and or relaxed in them,

[@twinkieb1982]

This tip goes along with the makeup rubbing off on things - if you're dying your own hair instead of wearing a wig, make sure you wash your hair at home and not in the hotel room when washing it for the first time. A lot of dyes run and my friend found this out the hard way when she washed her hair for the first time in the hotel bathroom, got blue dye all over the shower and was charged a $250 cleaning fee.

[@WolveLoverTienemien]

These three videos are AMAZING. They really helped me! Thank you so, so, so much!!

[@MiniNymph]

Thankyou for making a great little series, I burst out laughing at the dance belt bit, me and my cosplay partner will have to practice :D

[@amynicole3665]

Thank you so much for creating this video!! I'm honestly JUST starting out seriously with cosplay this year, and all of this information has been incredibly useful!

[@AuroraXA]

This video series is really great, thank you for all the detailed info! I will be watching this again. :)

[@StarsOfCassiopeia]

Love this series-- incredibly helpful! I've been cosplaying a couple of years now and still learned new tricks. :D I would also be curious to see a video geared specifically towards crossplay. There were a couple of posing tricks/ideas for crossplayers in these videos, but I'd love to see more!

[@angelkit14]

Thank you so much for posting these videos. It really helped me to understand what to do and how to pose for my cosplays. Thank you.

[@daniellehinton852]

This series was great! :) Always good to have more tips.

[@AlexVampira]

I love how the basic make up link( the first one) is to Sirene's cosplay 101 I've seen that video about... 20 times I've wrote down everything out of that video and plan on going and buying products some time this week

[@whosgotthekitty]

Wow, these videos were incredibly helpful. I feel much better prepared for my first con. I'm going to practice my butt off! IThank you so much!

[@shellyrose8867]

This is a fantastic guide! Thank you so much for putting this together.

[@lailazayas1597]

This helped me TREMENDOUSLY. Thank you so much for posting this! :D

[@Ebelliscay]

thank you SOOO much for this series!!! Now I know why my photos from my first con wasn't so good ^^' But I will defently draw benefit with this for my 2nd con! And I also shared this with a cosplay group, for danish cosplayers to share this wWONDERFUL knowlage! :D

[@LAnthea1]

Thank you so much for this series! It has really helped me a great deal with posing :-)

[@BrightestDream]

Thank you so much for this. I am so nervous to cosplay as it will be my first time and your series is amazingly informative. :) (Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!)

[@KimCarrascoPhoenix]

Really great tutorial! Thanks for the advice! :)

[@MukinoK]

"See you can tell I'm Canadian" I actually gleaned that from the Telus bag in your last two vids :'D

[@Lilalipooh]

"the shooty part of the gun..." Its called the barrel of the gun. That gave me quite a laugh xD thank you for making this series though. I am completely new to cosplay and Ive never even given thought to the things you cover in these videos so thank you very very much!!

[@mysteriousshamrock]

I wish I'd watched this series before the con last weekend! >.< these are so useful, I'll be sure to bear them in mind for future cosplays! Can I ask, do you have any posing tips for shy characters? I find it hard to find a balance between a pose that conveys that I'm shy without obscuring my costume or making myself look squat

[@katgoldenstar]

This has been really helpful, thank you!

[@rosatyrs]

Homestuck is a webcomic written by Andrew Hussie. Very meta, very interesting, and pretty popular! If you see any people painted grey with orange and yellow horns, they are cosplaying characters from Homestuck!

[@ViktorErikFade]

Thank you!! I really like these videos and how to pose with props gave some ideas because hopefully this summer I am cosplaying as seras victoria for ancient city con. Have any specific tips for that character for me? I have never worn a wig and I am trying to research all this ahead of time, I haven't done cosplay for many years only about one or two :)

[@Lpsanimerockstar101]

Can you do video about posing with wings? And great tutorial really informative. :)

[@lilih3390]

thank you! all 3 are very helpful videos! :)

[@shivandragon2106]

Such amazing information.

[@xLinaLivesforEverx3]

You can take them off! I wear glasses as well (although I prefer my contacts for cosplay) you can júst hide them in the pockets of your costume. :)

[@Toyon95]

I really enjoyed these videos!

[@KeiMaebara]

Thanks for your tutorial it is very helpful and detailed it made me think even more about preperations and posing. I got a little question, you said even for male chars there should be used foundations/powder and eyeliner? What would you recommend for a male cosplayer cosplaying a regular char, concerning the makeup? I guess foundation wouldn't be wrong since you mentioned the actors example, but would you suggest eyeliner for a regular male char (like from a common school series) as well? Iam just interested what you think about it, since you find so little information for us male cosplayers about it ^^

[@NocturnalRose99]

Hi! This video helped a lot in improving my cosplay poses. However, my character is wearing a big Victorian styled dress.The character is actually a princess but she is also a warrior that fights against evil. Could you give me some tips on posing in this kind of clothing, what angle suits best and maybe also includes some recommendations on what poses that I can do? Her poses can be whether elegant or intimidating. -Thanks! ^_^

[@shipin232]

Hey! Totally want to let you know, your videos are super educational and I've learned SO much from you. I will be doing my first ever cosplay EVER! In September at AWA, and I was wondering if you could help me with ideas for my photo's! ^^;; I will be cosplay Ciel Phantomhive from Black Butler, who is essentially a 12 year old boy of high class standards. I may also be getting a walking cane to go with, but yeah anything helps! ^^ Thanks so much for your videos! =D Love for you to take my pics! XD

[@demondesari]

Its the barrel. Its okay, you're fantastic

[@tenten32158]

Do you have any suggestions for posing with props that are held in both hands? If you've ever seen Ranma 1/2, I'll be posing with Shampoo's bonbori. They're basically 10-in styrofoam balls (with painted designs) on about just over 2 feet of bamboo sticks. So, like a giant ball on a stick. And I'm about 6 feet tall, so I can't to the rest it on the ground thing.

[@ZachPhan]

These are great videos!! Thank you!!!

[@potatoegame]

these videos helped so much, but I have a question. I am going to cosplay L, from death note, and he slouches and has his hands near his face often. do you have any suggestions for this?

[@PaymentOfLife]

the shooty part is the barrel ;o) but great videos gal youre rad

[@lailazayas1597]

It would be nice if someone did a tutorial on how to do Princess Tutu's GIGANTIC lashes. I'm going to experiment myself, but a tutorial would help. :D

[@ukik7643]

Thanks a lot for your tips they've really helped a lot! XD The gun tip is called a barrel. Cuz I know what it's called you can tell I'm Coloradan.

[@MaggieMc00]

Really useful!!

[@shirochan9445]

I learn alot of it. my friend give me this link and i learn more to pose now. so thank you

[@SurfingPikachu17]

So great! Thanks again :)

[@pinkgoth6]

does the parallel chin thing still look good for side view photos?

[@ryuuk96]

Hi, I was wondering if you could help me with something. My gf and I do couples cosplay a lot and sometimes the pairings we do aren't canon. How can we ask the photographer if they want a shipping picture as opposed to a regular picture without seeming weird or like we just want more pictures?

[@HimedereArt2]

I notice that you wear glasses, may I ask how you fix that for photos? I also wear glasses, and I cannot see without them. We can't afford for me to get contacts/prescription color contacts. Do you take them off for the photo, or...?

[@juawia]

THANK YOU AMANDA

[@CantraLovelorn]

Hi, question ^-^ How would you suggest posing with a dragonball? I'm being Goku (gender-bended), and i can't seem to find a flattering pose for it, ;-;

[@lailazayas1597]

@xAngelsCryTonightx Funny, I'm also cosplaying as Princess Tutu this summer for a con. xD

[@ExpatGirls]

What would be good poses when someone to asks a picture with you?

[@lutacos]

Ah, all your advise was really helpful and I realized the importance of many things i may have over looked from watching your videos, I do have one question though, I'm planning on doing a very female character (sena monster hunter form from Boku wa tomodachi ga sukunai) She has a very big weapon and i was wondering how to pose with it without having it in front of my body taking away from the detail in the armor? she also has wings which would make it hard to pose with it behind me too, Thank you :D

[@ElementalsVideos]

Good luck on the costume! For a giant sword like Sena has, you have a few options. Remember that sometimes it WILL have to be in front of you! One style of pose is to either lean into it, or away from it. So the sword and your body to make the | < shape or the | > shape, or the \/ shape. Some examples: 1.media.dorkly.cvcdn.com/49/38/f0ac0ab0bf872bffe9ba157fa493b397.jpg I can't find a lot of examples with swords atm, so here's with a large gun as reference elemental-photography.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=464&pos=31 elemental-photography.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=398&pos=29 elemental-photography.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=187&pos=10 You can also, if you have the strength, hold it up as this cosplayer has done for some poses - remember this will hide the details at the front of your costume haikucosplay.deviantart.com/art/Sena-Kashiwazaki-ver-Monster-Hunter-cosplay-363108665 And also, I'd honestly recommend most of your hall photos be taken in the default 'relaxed' pose they used for her figure otohimetracks.com/2012/12/sena-kashiwazaki/ Its a 3/4 pose with the sword in front of her boots. If you don't want to lose the detail on your boots, you could angle the sword away from you - but you run the risk of having the sword cut off/people tripping on it/your photo having too much space around you. Try to keep your poses tight a possible for your hall cosplay shots. Good luck!

[@lutacos]

ElementalsVideos Wow you put in a lot of really good examples and tips, tbh i wasn't expecting this much so thank you so much it really did help, you're doing a fantastic job keep it up :D

[@angryspacepugs]

Could you suggest how to achieve an empowering or strong facial expression? I'd really appreciate it :)

[@ElementalsVideos]

Depends a bit on who you're trying to be, but clenching your jaw works! So does furrowing your eyebrows slightly, and doing the look ever so slightly down or through your eyebrows thing. Also, depending on your height, you can sometimes tilt your head back and look down your nose at someone - but that REALLY depends on angles, because if the photographer isn't careful and you lean back too much, you end up with a photo full of nostrils and we can see into your brain. XD Make sure you couple strong facial expressions with strong body language! if you do just one, you won't 'read' the same way at all, because we read body language first and 'louder' than facial expressions. And remember! Practice!

[@PlainStreetPro]

These videos were extremely helpful! Especially the posing tips. My friends and I are going to our first con soon-ish, and we are all cosplaying. Total sidenote: YOU SAID DOOBLY-DOO!!! :O Are you a fellow nerdfighter? DFTBA!

[@DandisDen]

What if your prop is a book, and a sphere like a ball or something of a similar shape?

[@SamWirde]

This is really helpful thanks alot. xD.

[@KimaiiChan]

This is really helpful, but there is one thing that you said that I'm not sure of if I should do that. I have a pretty long neck, and my jawline is REALLY defined by itself already. If I'm doing it the way you're doing, I look like a giraffe :/

[@griffinmaeve]

the barrel of the gun, barrel is the word you were looking for :P

[@katiestead154]

my character has a cane and i cant really think of any poses with it that can work in the halls

[@Ally_Sammons]

Any suggestions on what to do for whether or not it would be better to dye your hair or get highlights if you want to cosplay as Alois Trancy if you have dirty blonde hair? I would appreciate the help.

[@kingqueeenie8848]

You could buy a wig on aliexpress

[@Ally_Sammons]

+King Queeenie I would but I don't like the wigs for him. It doesn't look right to me and I'm a perfectionist at heart.

[@SquintStint]

9:58 ahhh omaigoodness 999!!! ^^

[@TheRoyalLily]

the barrel, the word for that part of the gun is the barrel XD

[@Silentgrace11]

I'm trying to come up with a pose for a large (almost 4' long) syringe. Any recommendations?

[@ElementalsVideos]

Oh! I Can reply to this now? Huzzah for KZbin. Okay, for the 4' Syringe, think of it like a giant gun prop. What you want to do for most of your poses is either lean into it, or away from it. So, you usually want the syringe and your body to make the | < shape or the | > shape, or the \/ shape. Some examples: elemental-photography.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=187&pos=10 elemental-photography.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=464&pos=31 elemental-photography.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=398&pos=29 It can also cross in front of you elemental-photography.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=464&pos=33 And also maybe be held over your shoulders depending on the size elemental-photography.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=323&pos=16 Good luck!

[@Silentgrace11]

ElementalsVideos Thank you very much! I will test these out and see what works best :)

[@tommie6186]

any suggestions for setting makeup for homestuck? otherwise, you've saved me, it'll be my first time cosplaying soon in public. O__O'

[@angellilithdimitrescu2733]

theoretically you could use a powdered eye shadow to set it (like powder foundation) because it would set the grey color body paint you've used to tint your skin color.

[@TheLomise]

Make up is nooooot cheap in sweden. Foundation and powder costs 44-70$ here. I guess there is cheap make up at some places but not where there's people that can help me find the right color and such :c

[@DanikaBrousseau]

What if my prop is a potato? I'm going to be Sasha from AOT so I'm gonna be carrying a potato around.

[@LoopyBunny53]

for makeup what if your character only shows their eyes and is a guy?

[@ElementalsVideos]

Well, if it's ONLY your eyes like behind a mask, you probably still want a bit of makeup to make them stand out - concealer and foundation and possibly a little eyeliner. IF you mean your eyes and eyebrows+the area around your eyes is visible (Like Kakashi) makeup is still your friend. If you are crossplaying check this link out vilya0.deviantart.com/art/Female-to-Male-Crossplay-Makeup-Tutorial-409457154

[@Sheacka]

Barrel Sorry gun fan.... thou I have non :D