Introduction - What is it like being a Cosplayer?

I'm a university student who enjoys attending conventions with my friends. I've always been enamored with cosplay and cosplayers, and I recently made my first complete costume to wear at a con. I was worried because I am a terribly shy person, but I had blast and definitely plan on doing it again soon! I really enjoyed the sense of accomplishment and the community is just wonderful.

What are your next goals?

I'm planning my next cosplay now, although I do not have a con set in stone. I'm busy applying to graduate school, first!

Cosplay Characters

Caitlyn from League of Legends

What does Cosplay mean to you?

Cosplay is a hobby, but it's also a way to escape and pretend to be someone else for a while. It's so wonderful to jump into the role of entertainer that I would never normally dream of doing in my everyday life!

Who have been your biggest influences/role models/mentors?

I love looking at all of the posts on reddit's /r/cosplay and /r/cosplayers! There is such a great mix of professionals and amateurs like myself. It's a great resource for tips and tutorials, but it's also eye candy to me. I love looking at cosplay!

Do you have any advice or suggestions for upcoming Cosplayers?

I would suggest looking up tutorials and talk to people if you encounter problems in your build/tailoring. Also, it helps to go to cons in a group. It'll help you feel more confident, but also you will have someone to help take your picture if you like! (You may want to bring a nice camera, also!)

What is the most negative experience you've dealt with while cosplaying, and how did you handle it?

While I loved having my picture taken, I realized after a few pictures that I was making a funny face in a lot of the photos! I'd practiced pouting like the character, but it didn't work so well in action. I just decided that next time, maybe I will just smile for the camera!