Posing in Cosplay: How to get photos that don't suck. Part two.

Part Two: The 3/4 pose and posing in a group
Note about comments! the new KZbin page means I can't seem to reply to comment questions if you're commenting from another source- like a google plus page. If you comment ON the video on KZbin directly I'll do my best to answer, but other comments don't have any reply function. Sorry guys!
Covering the foundation of posing, the 3/4 pose, and ideas for working with group including multiple poses.
Part Three: • Posing in Cosplay: how...
Part one: • Posing in Cosplay: How...
This is a series of videos discussing some of the tips and tricks you can use to improve the photos taken of you while at a convention, based on a panel I've been running at con for the last few years.
If you have any additional questions, leave me a comment or email. And hey, likes are a good thing, yes?
[e-mail]
elemental-photography.net
/ elementalphotos
Intro and extro music: Lounge by Hirasawa Susumu from the Paprika Soundtrack

[@sunago]

I loved it that you said "a photographer with a big camera is just a photographer who bought a big camera". That is one of the most intelligent things I've heard about photography. A big camera doesn't equal better pictures because it's just a tool, not the thing that does all the magic. It says something about the photographers wallet but nothing about his or her skills. I've had clients come to me and say 'your pictures are pretty good, you must have a pretty good camera.' I usually smile and then tell them I don't. Then I tell them that saying that to me is the same as saying to a cook that 'his food is good, he must have a pretty good stove.' Usually that's how I get people to understand it. I love the rest of the tips as well. It seems like they are things that should be common sense (look around, check where the light is coming from, drop your bags) but most of it gets forgotten by nearly everyone

[@sarahfuhrmaneck3685]

Ugh, you don't realize how long I've been waiting for a good posing video! I get so nervous when thinking about what pose will look good, especially if my character doesn't have a signature pose.. I'd never considered what my hips were doing in photos, though, so I'm excited to try these tips out for the next con!

[@wc3leader]

I will be doing my first cosplay ever at SDCC this weekend. This video was so helpful. Thank you so much for it. You REALLY know what you're talking about!

[@ElementalsVideos]

A simple way to pose would be to decide what you think the character is like, even if you aren't sure from the canon. If he's a gruff boy, you can take inspiration from other gruff characters, same as if he's silly! And if you don't have any props, even just standing three quarters and crossing your arms over your chest or sticking your hands in your pockets works well!

[@ElementalsVideos]

It will really depend on what material their kimonos are made out of. If it's a cheap satin, for example, they'll look shiny and bunchy compared to your outfit. Then again, it will depend on the type of silk you are using as well. Since you don't have the chance to work fabric together, I'd say not to worry about it and just have fun! Matching fabric is more for when you can, not a have to sort of thing.

[@genevieverandall5180]

I am really bad at posing, and I have been looking for a video like this forever. Thanks so much!

[@MissJRey]

"And in the last one we were killing Sasuke, cause, you know, why not kill Sasuke?"

[@lurarararaaa3838]

I like this series so much. I would love to see you do a series about working with photographer during shoot, and improving own photos

[@dvlsnvrcry432]

i paused the video to go to the bathroom and we have a full length mirror in there so before i walked out i tried your tips and they really made a difference! i was only in loose pajamas but doing everything you said made it seem like i was posing for a photoshoot. i can't wait to try these tips when i'm actually in full costume

[@haruuukuma]

I always had trouble positioning my hips and legs, but the 3/4's really useful. Thanks for the tips!

[@AlexVampira]

Thanks. I know I'm not going to be able to stop everyone, and I may walk behind someone when they are vlogging, filming or taking a picture. the person who says if I can or cannot have people take pictures of me said that we'd "talk about it when it got closer"(meaning the con) but this information is really helpful, thank you so much.

[@SurfingPikachu17]

More epic advice! :D. Thanks! On to video 3!

[@divindechild]

I will be cosplaying for the first time this year and this video was super helpful

[@metalkeeks]

Girl, you rock! This series is great.

[@Stellasan1000]

OMG, I think I heard a little bit of the Paprika Soundtrack towards the end *^* Amazingly helpful video by the way :D

[@MoonphaseSecret]

Thank you so much for posting this tutorial. I learned so much about posing in cosplay! :D

[@ElementalsVideos]

That's a hard one! There's absolutely an expectation that if you're dressing up, you know you will have your photo taken at a con. The best way to handle that is to just be honest. When someone asks for your photo, tell them thanks, but you're not allowed to have photos taken. It's a little odd at a con, but not rude. You won't be able to stop everyone, so do keep that in mind; Just the people who ask for permission. Good luck!

[@whattheheckshotstuff]

Snowballing is so true. A GREAT VID SERIES!! LOVE IT!

[@toridatiger96]

Thanks this helped a lot, last year at the convention i was really awkward with my arms, this year I'm hoping to look a lot better with these tips plus it helps to have a prop this year. BTW i went as Alice from pandora hearts

[@jediknight533]

Extremely helpful tips

[@ngu0061]

Didn't even realise these vids were in parts.

[@kendrarose6133]

Oh my god all the Homestucks owo. I recently started cosplaying at meetups, but have yet to go to any Cons. Thank you for this, I think this has really helped :33

[@kleomenistubanos3890]

Fantastic advice! Makes me really wanna cosplay right now! Also, dunno who that Hazama is, but he's awesome!

[@MoonphaseSecret]

I will keep these tips in mind for my next convention! :)

[@xDeeperBlue]

"And the last one, we were killing Sasuke. Because, y'know, why not kill Sasuke?" I just about choked at that XD Bravo.

[@LucyMiakosama]

(it's a haruhi cos) usually i don't get good shots in the hall anyways, but outside or in light places it is really easy to get good pictues IF you pose correctly and don't go with ciel doing peace XD (i actually have a lot of people do that) so I totally agree with u 100%

[@TheRoyalLily]

i have DEF noticed about the shy photographers/ppl, many times someone asked for a photo and at least 2-3 other ppl ran up to snap a pic so they didnt have to ask lol

[@crossyuuki15]

I keep seeing so many homestuck cosplays! ;D

[@ThaCookiiMonZteR]

Thank you so much for the help! :D

[@Rosejenkins15]

I LOVE ALL THE HOMESTUCK!

[@goblinnationcosplay1550]

This is great! Super helpful. Would it be possible to get a video or some tips on how to do posing where it looks like you are moving or fighting with other people?

[@lucasgauthier4391]

I find the that the best way to have as many picture of you taken is to stand out from the lot,darth vader at an anime convention really does stand out.

[@TheKuNiii100]

"Because, you know, why not kill Sasuke..." I laughed really hard xD

[@TheFlauschig]

That cat in the background

[@LucyMiakosama]

what u said about the first cosplay foto...is true for some people...i did not find any of the fotos of me in the hall, but outside, i found 3 fotos, i really loved them, my foto was the only one of all the ones on the photographers blog with comments that said stuff like; awesome pose, perfect as her etc. u can find it on animexx under lela so it was a good experience for me thats why i still cosplay

[@xKillerKirsche]

you are awesome. thanks!

[@Julesie07]

Thank you so much. :) I'll try and look for other eccentric anime characters.

[@Silentgrace11]

Must I say, you have an adorable cat x3 (oh, I love the videos too!)

[@Zyiamu]

This was great! I felt this helped me a whole lot in my new cosplay endeavor. I look forward to watching your next video and any advice you have on working with a photographer would be excellent! I have some photoshoots coming up and i'm a little nervous O.o;;

[@AnimeLvr01]

There is nothing more true than the group and snowballing thing. Once we had a group of 5 people from the same anime and when one photographer had wanted a photo, it quickly turned to 3, then to 5, then to 9-10 minus passerbys. It was so bad we couldnt leave for about 15-20 minutes.

[@DarksStars]

There isn't a lot of him in the manga, but there's quite a few fanarts of him out there. You might want to look at them and draw inspiration from there instead

[@sexyNOjutsuXenia]

Thank you thats so great ^^

[@shadowflame0195]

thank you so much!!!! im gonna cosplay for the first time on OZcon and im going to be a male harley quinn :D

[@bahamut3108]

Thx for your advice ! =)

[@mandabear4167]

very helpful, im going to my first con, dragoncon, this September. im cosplaying finn from adventure time since im only 11 and i want to do something appropriate

[@stellapapazova2908]

OMG THE CAT I WANNA TOUCH IT

[@iamfire1]

[@purplexzombie3371]

super helpful, just in general. And totally love "why not kill Sasuke?"

[@CuteyKitty]

Great tips :) Thanks for the advice. Just went to a con, wish I watched this video before. Next time ;p

[@OnlyProjects]

True story about that hallway photo thing. I didnt see ONE photo of me from AX last year.

[@horsesgalore212]

"Why not kill Sasuke?" HAHA

[@lucasgauthier4391]

so true,photographer never ask for photo.XD

[@Julesie07]

The tips on here are utterly fantastic. I'm going to try and keep these in mind and start practicing. I do have a small problem though. One character I plan to do he's barely in the manga and not in the show at all. He's a young (about 10 or younger) eccentric artist and I have no idea how to pose as him. He's from Hetalia and his name is KugelMugel. Do you have any tips for how I could pose as this character?

[@tiffanyshackelford7125]

any suggestions for group photos when you literally just meet the others in the group at that con? my husband and i tend to collect people at cons. we do rarer outlier characters and the mains are more abundant so they see us and tag along the more people we collect the more we get stopped for pictures. and we mostly just pack in tight as possible and stagger heads. so everyone's face is in the picture even if there isn't room for anyone to back up. but not knowing any of these people before we get asked for pictures makes it hard to discuss what are you comfortable doing in your costume.

[@shanewilson7994]

I know this is a really old comment, but I was shooting at MTAC a couple of months ago and this is basically what happened with a full on photoshoot that I had scheduled, basically two girls had originally planned to do the shoot with me, and when they showed up they had seven people that they collected. Asked if it was ok, and what you do is you have to have a leader. Generally if you're all from the same show/game/whatever, then you'll have some general ideas of scenes or poses and as soon as the leader says something close enough and starts, everyone else kind of catches on pretty fast. I was lucky that my assistant that day was a big fan of the show, and basically took over that role and was posing them for me (because I had no idea what it was). And the shoot was great. You probably can't do super complicated group poses when you have a group of people who don't know each other. And also, as always, if it involves touching another cosplayer, ask first.

[@maddisondalziel1645]

Hello! I'm making my own cosplay which is basically a kimono, and to keep it periodically correct I'm using silk. My two friends are doing characters from the same thing who also wear kimonos but will be buying them, not making them, so their outfits aren't made of silk. If you have any experience with something similar, or anything really, do you think it /will/ look odd as mentioned or do you think since it's the 'correct' material it wont be too bad...? Slightly worried now :/

[@MrKendal360]

You are really cool D: I want a friend like you :(

[@amberace1937]

Okay so I have seen your videos and still am a bit confused. I will be doing a Rapunzel cosplay and don't know how to pose. I watched your videos and still am a bit confused on how to stay in character and pose. Most of the photos I look at are of girls crossing their arms and hands on hips. Are there any poses you would recommend for this character?

[@rileyrupit4467]

i really want to do group photos, but my friend just changed her mind to a cosplay that does not go with mine. Im going as jade, and she was going to be dave, but can not capture his personalty right so she is going as a troll.

[@On1I5]

Sadly there are very few mirrors that don't cut off my head.

[@Kamuka7]

What about raising your leg? I'm going to cosplay as Morgiana from Magi and her legs are her main source of power...What should I do?

[@Eefje612]

how do you pose if your group exists out of 13 people?

[@Rosy23]

Riskei

[@AlexVampira]

How do I tell people not to take a picture of me and not seem rude (I'm not supposed to have pictures and stuff of me on the internet so yeah)

[@actressjane]

What is no-one approaches you? Do you ask people to and wouldn't that be rude or selfish?

[@ElementalsVideos]

Oh! I can reply again! It is generally not considered polite to ask random people to take your photo at the convention. But you can totally ask your friends! And if you're looking for more professional photos/don't have friends who attend cons with you, look around/ask around to find out what photographers attend conventions in your area. I do booked photoshoots for a fee, as many photographers do, and some offer shoots for free! You can pose questions on facebook pages for that convention, or their forum/cosplay forums, or find photos from that con's previous year and ask the photographer if they do booked shoots. You can also look for photobooths! Many conventions now have people who set up areas to shoot any cosplayer who comes by (Like The Enthusiasts, or Cosplay for a Cure) and then it's TOTALLY okay to ask to have your photo taken! I hope this helps~

[@flipnotebworld360]

What if your younger... Like 15, will people still want to take pictures of you. Or will people look down on you and ignore you. I really want pictures of me in my cosplay. Do I give them my email. I'm really nervous it's my first con and it seems like a lot of fun!!!! -.-

[@dldagah3861]

Hello Michael Jack ah no sorry

[@Ryuuseistar]

sup cat

[@MackTruckTrashMan]

XD because "why not kill sasuke?" haha!

[@toripringle3557]

Okay first off you're really cool, but second I'm so disappointed. You passed up the opportunity to call the killing Sasuke pose Sas-Squash