While booking a shoot for a client, she brought up a common concern -
"My friend has never done a shoot before. Is there any advice you can give them?"
Believe it or not, this comes up a LOT. And it's one of my favorite things to hear! Why? Because I am a control fr-*cough* Okay, no, that's not why.
Fact is, I still remember VERY well how nervous I was at my first shoots... and how much fun I had anyway. If we could dream up the shot, we could probably get it. What an amazing thing to realize! It was playing pretend, getting to be in movies for a little while - and coming out with pictures. They were better then any souvenier I could possibly get, and I was a lost cause.
Photoshoots allowed me to fall even deeper in love with my costuming hobby. Getting to give that experience to other people? That is a really, really amazing feeling. It means a lot that newbies are willing to take that extra step and invest in their work and themselves. So, I am writing a letter to my client's newbie friend, and all future newbies! (And if you're not a newbie - these are still good refreshers!)
DEAR NEWBIE -
Congratulations on your first shoot! This is going to be fun. I promise. And I will... PROBABLY not hurl you in front of a bus! (And if I do, it will be parked!)
I actually love working with first-timers. Really. So here's some stuff to make your first experience easier!
- Relax. Take some deep breaths. Don't worry about trying to be a supermodel. I'm shooting YOU, and YOUR amazing work. I'm here to help you.
- Do some research. Spend some time with your character. Is he a swaggering pirate? Is she a scientist? Save some images of them to your computer. Do a Google image search on their jobs. See what other cosplayers have done. If there's an idea you want to try, write it down and bring it to the shoot!
- Practice! Put on your WHOLE COSTUME (even the makeup and the shoes) and move around in it. Stand. Sit. Crouch. Cross your arms. If you've got a prop, carry it. Find a full-length mirror, and try out different poses in it. Getting comfortable in your outfit is going to be a HUGE boost
BONUS:
Take a look at these cosplayers. The top image, too. These are photos from their VERY FIRST private shoots. Once, they all said the same thing you did -
"I've never done this before!"
They did just fine. So will you.
Remember, we were ALL new once!
Love,
CT
(Special thanks to kukiexsiren, Ryvine, realgingerale, Heather, Amara and Benjamin, LostGirlWendy, Aubrey, kerstynnlane, Lindsi, codexana, Sara, Olivia, Anne, and pokedawolf!)
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Sharing time! What was your very first photoshoot? What advice would YOU give to newbies? Tell us in the Comments!