These were my most active years as a cosplayer, especially since I had both the time and money to spend. Is it still worth it? How much have I spent on costumes already throughout the years?
How much more could I have saved if I only I knew how to sew my own costumes? The better question is, how much money could I have saved if I stopped cosplaying for a while? The monetary weight of cosplaying started taking a toll on me and my beliefs.
My co-writer and colleague, Mika , had the same thoughts two years ago , trying to weigh the growing costs of this hobby versus her priorities as an independent, young adult. Priorities change, you change, life changes. However, it seems like the Kristine from ten years ago has long been gone, together with her ideals about being a cosplayer forever.
When cosplaying was just starting to become popular, it already has a bad image since it is associated with the otaku culture in Japan, a subject looked down on by the majority who are not into anime.
During the early s, I saw a lot of my friends get ridiculed and bullied during conventions especially when roaming outside the event halls where normal mall-goers hang out. Why do people cosplay? Lewd photos. Unfortunately, some will do whatever it takes to get on the model train, even if it means leaving a negative image of the cosplay community.
Of course, with the rise of cosplayer-models are actual fashion models and even booth babes infiltrating the scene. Then I calculate what materials I need and head out armed with my list and reference pictures. The costumes are worn to conventions or privately-organised photoshoots. With photoshoots we often have to find a suitable location first to capture the character in an environment that is as appropriate as possible. For instance at the Leipzig Book Fair I am doing myself and those around me a big favour by not wearing crinolines or wings.
The central focus of cosplay for me is creativity, but I also enjoy the opportunity to be really vain for once in a while. As a little girl I always wanted to be a pretty princess for carnival — as a student I fulfilled the dream every year myself with flowing ball gowns and showy wigs.
Now I can be a prince too if I feel like it! Or a super-hero! Or a secret agent! When would you get a chance to wear an empire dress or a skintight catsuit in your day-to-day life? You will be able to dress up as a character you love and meet up with other people dressed up and have fun. Besides that, you will be able to get into exciting discussions with those around you about these characters.
Cosplay is an awesome way to spice up your life and have fun with others who share similar interests. Man is a social being, and most of the things we do are because we are able to socialize. When you attend a Cosplay event, you will most likely meet thousands of people there just to socialize. You will be able to hang out with fellow nerds and discuss various topics that you would have otherwise been uncomfortable discussing. Thus, if you are looking for a new and interesting way to socialize with others, you should join cosplay events.
While many cosplayers do it for fun, there are those who make a living off it. In the world of cosplay, some celebrities take a lot of time and effort to come up with professional costumes that are truly stunning. These cosplayers are invited to conventions as cosplay models. These cosplayers have a huge following on social media, which they utilize for influencer marketing and make a living off it.
They will usually sell autographed photos of themselves. On top of that, they are usually paid for consultancy work during the creation of video games. Although monetization is great for cosplay, it can also expose cosplayers to scams. Some have been invited to foreign countries only to learn that they were being scammed.
Besides that, sometimes those who choose professional cosplay are ridiculed, and some do not take them seriously. Despite that, they have persisted, and some do make quite some good cash off their profession. If you are thinking of monetizing your cosplay, do not be dissuaded by any ridicule that you may suffer along the road.
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