Introduction - What is it like being a Cosplayer?

Cosplaying has become a huge part of my life. It is so amazing to be able to put on a costume and become my favorite character. Once I put on a costume, I'm not me anymore. I am 100 percent in character. When I cosplay, people will come up to me, just to tell me that they are so happy that I am cosplaying their favorite character. Cosplaying is so rewarding. I cosplay to represent my love and passion for the characters that I cosplay, and my simple act of cosplaying a character makes another person's day better. It's incredible. There is absolutely no better reward for cosplaying than hearing from other con-goers how much they love and appreciate my costumes, and how I am doing a great job bringing their favorite characters to life. When I tell people that I cosplay, a lot of people ask how I don't get exhausted from walking around in (usually huge) costumes for three or four days straight at a convention. I always tell them that at a con, time doesn't pass the same day. I spend the day walking around, posing for pictures, improving in-character skits, and chatting with other con-goers. I'll look at my phone, and suddenly it will be 10 o'clock at night and I will wish that the con will never end. People aren't lying when they talk about a "con high". When I'm at a convention, I never get tired. I'm too excited just to be there, showing off my costume and expressing my love for my character. I love cosplaying, and couldn't imagine my life without it.

What are your next goals?

I am doing a How to Train Your Dragon 2 cosplay group next summer. I will be Astrid, but I have to figure out how to create a life-size Toothless!

Cosplay Characters

I have cosplayed Harley Quinn in her costume from the video game Batman: Arkham City, Clara Oswin Oswald from Doctor Who, and Princess Peach in her costume from Super Smash Bros 4. I am currently working on Astrid from How to Train Your Dragon 2.

What does Cosplay mean to you?

Cosplay is all about expressing your love for your passion. Cosplaying is such a huge oppurtunity. You can cosplay anything! Movies, TV shows, books, video games, comic books. No matter what your wear, someone will recognize you at a convention, and appreciate the character you chose.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for upcoming Cosplayers?

Don't be afraid to start cosplaying! Whether you're starting with a small costume, or a huge design, you can do it! Don't be intimidated by anyone, and remember that no matter what you end up with, people will still love your costume. And at the end of the day, cosplaying is about having fun and showing off your love for a character. As long as you love what you're wearing and you're having a good time, that's all that matters.

Any final remarks or shout-outs?

I absolutely love cosplaying, but I could never have done as much as I have without my two best friends Madison and Hannah, who created Piece of Cake Cosplay with me.