Cosplay Festivals

"A festival is a place where you can meet like-minded people, for whom you are not a strange man in a strange costume, but a fellow cosplayer with the same hobbies. It's a place where you can show yourself, your cosplay - both your costume and your ability to portray a character. Some go mostly for the fellowship, some go for the audience.

Most often, people get familiar with cosplay, learn about it from friends, relatives or schoolmates. And then they try it themselves.

"Before, people learned about cosplay from friends and acquaintances, it was not a very common hobby. Now they write articles and make films about cosplay, and cosplayers are guests at festivals, movie premieres, and cyber competitions. There are a lot of opportunities - more events, costume workshops and crafts (armor, accessories). There were also more cosplayers - people who learned about the hobby and decided to try it for themselves. I was introduced to cosplay by Natalia, by which time she had been into it for a long time.

Natalia has really been in cosplay for a long time - her first costume was created in 2006. She told us about her experience transporting "bolters and fences."

"Once at baggage inspection at the airport, I was required to open my suitcase to make sure - inside is not a real firearm, but just a moulter - a weapon for Warhammer 40,000 cosplay. A separate story is the transportation of massive costumes, especially oversized ones: "What kind of fence are you carrying?" - Asked me again by airport staff at the sight of a complex construction of three segments more than a meter long. The universal answer - "theater props" or "props for the costume contest.

Costs of playing cosplay.

This is a very expensive game.Costume prices can be seen here https://designedby3d.com/product-category/star-wars/. You will also need the services of a photographer.

You'll need the services of a photographer if you want to preserve the memory of your image. Or take part in a photocomplay contest. By the way, Elena complained to us that a good cosplay photographer is not easy to find:

We asked cosplay photographer Xenia if this profession is profitable and how a cosplay photographer differs from any other:

"I've always liked shooting with fantasy elements. Before cosplay, I created props and costumes for fantasy photos myself. And then I was lucky enough to meet Natalia, we immediately found common ground and became friends. I took a lot of pictures and improved my retouching skills. Soon people started writing to me and inviting me to shoots and festivals.

Cosplay shooting is all about connecting with amazing people. Passionate about their characters, lively and fun. I made a lot of friends.