So, MCM was last week. It was a good occasion to see friends and have some good time ! However, it was also a possibility to see something that is becoming quit...e rampant: snipers. For everyone, we are talking about “photographers” who take pictures without asking, often at unfortunate times or when someone else is shooting them.
These are people ruining cosplay photography for everyone for several reasons:
1) Cosplayers associate them with regular photographers, making their job harder
2) They tend to distract cosplayers when doing a one on one shooting.
3) They often are the first pictures you see of a convention. Talk about a first impression.
It is really disrespectful to take a picture of someone without asking, and then publishing the same picture without looking for the cosplayer’s approval. No, a cosplayer does not want to see herself or others to see her eating food, wearing a half disassembled cosplay or resting on the ground (I only use her because, strangely enough, it mostly happens to girls).
Finally, when a cosplayer is doing a shoot with a specific photographer, most of the time the photographer will work hard to make special pictures with specific poses and location. There is few things more infuriating to see that another photographer used this occasion to essentially steal all of that by taking another picture over your shoulder without asking and publishing it the same day.
What can we do to prevent that ? If you ever see a photographer taking pictures of a cosplayer without her approval, DO tell him off. If, as a cosplayer, you see other photographers sniping the one you are taking pictures with, please inform him and don’t encourage them by posing for them. As a photographer, if you see another one taking pseudo-candid shots (which can often be called creep shots), don’t stay silent.
How, as a photographer, should you act to be respectful towards cosplayers or other photographers ?
- Ask beforehand every time you want to take a picture of someone else
- Wait until the person has finished what he/she is doing: eating, resting
- Do not take pictures if a cosplayer is already shooting with another photographer without asking first.
- Do not stay silent if you see something like that happening. By doing nothing, you are discrediting all of the photographers and essentially approving this kind of behavior

Hair colour and coloured gels.
I get asked a lot whether I always try to work with blonde haired models as it's 'easier' to light blonde hair over brunette and ...other darker colours.
Truth be told, I don't actually give it much thought and that's because I very rarely get the choice. The models hair colour is the models hair colour and especially if it's an actual hair shoot for a salon, then I really do get ZERO say on what colour the hair is going to be.

OH MY GOSH I CAN FINALLY SHARE THIS AWESOME PROJECT!!! Last fall I had the amazing opportunity to design a gown with Epic Reads based on The Selection Series by... Kiera Cass as part of their Epic Costume Challenge! Having the chance to design such an iconic look from the beloved novel was a dream. I really hope fans of the books will like my interpretation of America Singer’s showstopping (and jealousy-inducing) red gown!! Check out the full video where I talk about the process and reveal the final garment, modeled by the wonderful Morgan!
👗👑✨ https://youtu.be/vuFEDy9zlE0