Beginning a new creative relationship can be an exciting thing. When you do a photo shoot with a photographer for the first time it can be the start of a flourishing partnership. Sometimes, if you don’t cover your basis, it can be not so pleasant.
With cosplay popularity growing, the amount of photographers out there is growing alongside with it. It’s important to get the service you want and pay for. It’s also more so important that you are keeping yourself safe when meeting up with new people. I’ve heard horror stories of cosplayers finding photos of themselves on sites that they’ve never agreed to be on. I’ve heard even worse of stories of straight up inappropriate behavior from photographers that people have agreed to working with beforehand.
Yet if you try to find resources on how cosplayers can better protect themselves against these sorts of things there is very little. Wedding questionnaires and professional interview questions can only go so far. So I have compiled this list of questions to ask a photographer before working with them.
Can I See Your Portfolio? If you haven’t see any of their work yet, I find it’s best to ask to see a portfolio of their work beforehand. This way you know what style you can expect, or get a vague idea of the work that you will receive from the final product. This is especially important when paying for a photo shoot.
What is your experience? Ask how long they have been doing photographer in general. How long have they been specifically doing cosplay photography.
Can I see some references? If you have a friend who has worked with them before, you can also just ask about their experience working with this person. Were they respectful? Is there any reason you shouldn’t work with them? Sometimes you might not know someone who has worked with them before. Don’t be afraid to ask them if they have any previous cosplayers or models they have worked with before that you can talk to.
What Is Your Cost? Cover cost before hand. The last thing you probably want after a long shoot session is the surprise of a high bill. Many photographers have different packages for different budgets. A Lot of cosplay photographers have this information put together on little infographs.
If they don’t have the information listed, it is always good to ask if they require any deposit fee before the shoot. If the photographer does a lot of preparation and research before the shoot expect that to be reflected in a non-refundable deposit.
Sometimes photographers also charge extra for more people. If you think you might have more than yourself let them know, and ask what the cost is.
Also consider currency exchange. If an american photographer is traveling to Canada for a con, their price might not be in CAD.
What Is Included In Your Package? If they don’t have the information posted, or they didn’t cover it in your cost, ask what exactly you are getting with your packing. This can cover things such as; How long will the shoot be? How many edited photos will I receive? Will I get the unedited raw photos? How will I receive the photos? One drive, google drive, and drop box are all very popular options. All of this information will help you decide if their fee and your time is worth what you are getting out of the package.
Will I get to review proofs before editing? To me this is something that is really important. After all it’s your face and costume that is being shown. Most of the time way more photos are taken than photos that ever reach the editing table. Ask if it’s possible to choose the photos that get moved editing. This will make sure that you get the images out in the world that show off your work how you would like.
Will I get to review the edits before publishing? Remember, photographers are human too. Sometimes it takes another set of eyes to see that they missed something in editing. Ask if you can see the photos before they publish them to their own social media or websites.
How long will it take to get the final product? REMEMBER PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE HUMANS TOO. I see too often cosplayers harassing photographers for not having a quick turn around. Often cosplay photographers do this as a side gig, or a hobby. Expect them to prioritize their day jobs, school work, or family first. Ask before you go in how long it will take. If you need edited proofs to make business cards in a couple of week, but their work take 3-6 months, maybe look at someone else or lower your expectation. The more popular an artist, the more demand, the longer wait.
What will I be allowed to use the photos for? Some photographers have strict rules on where and how you can distribute their photos. My experience has led me to some lovely photographers that have no qualms in how you use their photos. It’s still best to ask rather than get in trouble later. Will you use them on your social media, website? Can you use them printed for marking purposes? (such as banners and business cars) Can you sell prints? Ask how they would like to be credited. Sometimes their watermark is enough, sometimes they would like things to be linked back to their own website.
Also if you ask for raws with the intention of editing them yourself please make sure you okay that with the photographer.
How will they be using the photos? Distribution of photos goes both ways. Ask in what ways they will be using the photos to make sure you are alright in how they will be used. Make it clear in what ways you would be uncomfortable.
What costume would you like to shoot? If you have more than one costume that you want to shoot, you can always ask what they would prefer shooting. This give them the option to maybe choose a character they are more familiar with.
Are you familiar with the character/series? I find when working with someone who has a passion for the same thing I do it shows in their work. It’s up to you if you want photographer who is familiar with the series your costume is from.
Do you have any sort of themes or concepts you’d like the explore? This is useful to ask if you yourself are completely lost in what you want out of the photos. I’m someone is particularly open to what the photographer would also like to do. If you would like to do a more romantic photo shoot with a love interest, but the photographer is only interested in doing a gritty action shoot then maybe they are not the person to work with at that moment.
Do you have a location in mind? When working with a photographer for the first time, especially without a group, I would suggest doing your shoot in a public area. Public parks, school grounds, and parking lots are all good options. Have a conversation on what sort of setting you would like for the shoot, and brain storm some ideas that work for both of you.
Can I bring an escort/handler? Any good photographer will have no problem with this. If they say they have a problem with this turn tail. You should be allowed to have someone to make sure that you feel safe meeting someone for the first time. Also let us be honest, lots of us have costumes with limited mobility where we need a handler to drag around water, purses or other junk.
Will you be bringing an assistant? Just as you should be allowed to bring a friend along, the same goes for the photographer. Often they will have someone carrying equipment or help with lighting. If you are like me, you want to be emotionally prepared and know with how many people you will be working with that day.
How much direction will you give me? Some photographers are much more hands on than others. If you are clueless at posing, then it might work better to work with someone who gives a lot more direction than someone who comes in expecting you to be coming prepared with a list of poses you want to do.
Ask how they will direct you. Remember that no one should physically touch you unless they ask for permission before hand and that you are allowed to say no.
When can you meet to shoot? This should go without saying, but ask when they are available. Make sure your schedules like up and plan something!
How would you like to sign a release/contract? One final thing you should remember is to ask about contracts and releases. Cover your bases. Some photographers will have a pre-made release contract for models to sign that go over this. Other times I have had people fine with just having everything written either in messaging systems, or email. Either way keep a copy for your own future reference and don’t sign anything you are uncomfortable with.
Do you have anything on your must ask list for photographers that I haven't listed? Give me a shout and let me know if you do!
Sept 7 2017
I would like to add that all of this is written in the mind that under Canadian Law that Photographers are the owners of the copyright to any photos they take. Your checklist may differ if your country's laws surrounding photo copyrights are different. In Canada this is why its especially important to get a signed release and contract saying that you are allowed to distribute the work as you have both previously discussed.
