So two weeks ago I ran/limped around a hotel doing 5 photoshoots in 6 hours. I wouldn't have gone but I had promised these people their photoshoots and I wanted to practice my photography.
I wasn't even going to cosplay either but after helping my friend make armor the night before I felt left out haha! I decided to wear my RTN Hinata because I thought it would be easy to move around in and cooler than my other costumes.
Here are my favorite shots from each shoot I did:
Can you tell I like to shoot with shallow depth of field? lo
I also got some pictures taken of me as well by
my friend Reno! He interviewed me as well.
Name: Lauren
Age: 20
Location: East Bay, CA
Q: So when did you start cosplaying, and what was your first character you cosplayed as?
Lauren: The first character I cosplayed was Yui in
her dress from the first ending credits of K-ON! at Summer SacAnime
2009. One of my friends was dressed as Mio from the same version, so we
matched.
Q: What made you want to start cosplaying?
Lauren: I started cosplaying because of that friend. She looked so cool in her costumes, I wanted to dress up too!
Q: What character(s) did you cosplaying as during Sac Anime?
Lauren: For this SacAnime I was cosplaying the Road to Ninja version of Hinata from Naruto.
Q: What do you enjoy most about cosplaying?
Lauren: What is there not to enjoy about
cosplaying?? I love getting dressed up and doing my makeup, and I really
like getting my picture taken! It’s cool when someone goes up to you
and hugs you or asks for a picture with you or just tells you they love
the character you’re dressed as. It’s definitely an ice breaker and
helps you interact more with others at cons.
Q: In your opinion what are the Pros and Cons about cosplaying?
Lauren: The pros of cosplaying for me are getting my
pictures taken and how it helps me to make new friends when people
recognize my costume. The cons are that it’s really hard to take
pictures of other cosplayers when you’re in cosplay, so I have to choose
between one or the other, especially since I don’t have a tiny point
and shoot anymore.
Q: If skills, and money weren’t an issue what would be your dream character to cosplay as.
Lauren: My dream character to cosplay as would be
The Princess of the Crystal from Mawaru Penguindrum. I’d make it
entirely with black velvet, silk and leather. It’s a costume I’d really
love to take on, but with my skills and budget right now it’s not
reasonable.
Q: What costume do you feel most proud of that you’ve completed?
Lauren: I’ve never made my own costume (yet!) so I
don’t necessarily have one I’m proud of, but my most prized cosplay is
my HeartShooter Miku. When I debuted it at Fanime earlier this year I
heard people yelling “Miku! Miku!” everywhere and a lot of people came
up for hugs. I felt very loved haha.
Q: Do you have any tips for people who want to start cosplaying?
Lauren: For people who want to start cosplaying,
just jump into it! Find a character you love and either commission or
buy the costume or start making it yourself. If you are not familiar
with sewing and aren’t ready to try, there is nothing wrong with buying a
pre-made costume. I feel like a lot of people are scared they will be
looked down upon if they don’t make their costume, but who cares?
Cosplaying is about having fun and being a part of a great community,
not about petty things like that. I would say though to splurge on wigs!
A shoddy wig can ruin a costume.
Q: Aside from cosplaying what other hobbies do you enjoy?
Lauren: Besides cosplaying, I enjoy listening to
music, fashion, makeup, and photography. I haven’t been able to update
my fashion blogs lately because of lack of inspiration/injuries, but I
hope to be updating them soon.
Q: What character(s) can we look forward to seeing you cosplay as in the future?
Lauren: My next costume I’ll debut at Fanime 2013
will be Lucy from Fairy Tail! I’m going to try my best to make it myself
as this character is very near and dear to my heart. I am also looking
forward to debuting Keiko from Yu Yu Hakusho there as well. Some other
characters I would like to someday cosplay are Kotetsu from Tiger and
Bunny, The Princess of the Crystal from Mawaru Penguindrum, Julia from
Cowboy Bebop and either Maka or Soul from Soul Eater!
Q: If any fans wanted to see your costumes what future conventions will fans be able to see you at?
Lauren: I normally only go to Fanime, but I am
trying to branch out and go to other conventions. I’m starting to go to
SacAnime again and I’d like to go to Anime Expo again as well. My main
priority will be conventions and events in my area.
Q: Thank you for being part of this interview, and are there any last words that you would like to say the to the readers?
Lauren: I’d just like to say thank you to everyone
who read this article and like my cosplays! I encourage everyone to
follow what makes them happy.
Thank you very much Lauren allowing me to do a photo shoot
with you, and to take time out of your day to do this interview with me.
If you’re interested in seeing or following more if Lauren’s work
please check out some of her sites:
If you'd like to see more of my pictures or any other interviews/pictures he took that weekend, click here!
It was a very fun day (I was only there on friday) and I definitely got a lot of good practice. :)
I'll send you off with a picture of me and Princess Bubblegum being very symmetrical.
seeyoulater!
