This set of convention photos taken at this anime convention is specially used to share the two-person photo actions we've done. Many coser friends encounter the dilemma of not knowing what convention photo poses to strike when facing the camera on-site during anime convention cosplay. Below, I will break down the insights from my partner and me for this shoot, from hair and makeup to actual posing, providing you with some real and practical references, hoping to be helpful for your future photos.
First, let's talk about the highlights of this costume, as it gives us a major boost when striking poses. The patent leather material reflects light exceptionally well under the natural light of the convention, automatically casting highlights onto the clothes. Paired with the white multi-layered pleated skirt and over-the-knee white stockings, the contrast between materials is beautiful. Additionally, our wigs are both bright yellow, and the styling includes accessories, straps, 05 and 02 tattoo stickers, and wristbands. A special reminder for everyone: with clothes made of patent leather or similarly stiff materials, wrinkles and shapes naturally form at the joints when bent. Therefore, when making movements, try not to completely bend your elbows and knees to ninety degrees; leaving a slight gap not only makes the movements look more extended but also better preserves the texture of the patent leather.
Regarding two-person photo movement coordination, many people habitually stand in a row and look at the camera, which often ends up looking like two pillars. Try adding some variations in body orientation. For example, in this hand-raising picture (which is the cover image), even though both people are in the same frame, their centers of gravity lean in opposite directions. I used one foot to tap the ground and lifted my leg upwards, which not only elongates the leg lines but also prevents the lower body from looking too heavy. The other side utilizes the elbow to create an inward-tucking angle, which, combined with the eye contact of looking back, forms a wonderful sense of dialogue. The core of a two-person photo is to let the bodies of the two people establish a connection; it can be blocking, leaning, or using props. We held a star microphone, utilizing it as the visual center, or used our hands to make a heart shape together. Once the hands of both people share a common point of focus, the cohesiveness of the photo instantly elevates.
Eye contact is also a vital part, but beginners often don't dare to look at the camera. I suggest trying not to look at the lens but at each other, creating a more natural atmosphere; or look at a focal point slightly to your respective front-sides. Additionally, the environment at anime conventions is bound to be a bit cluttered, so finding the right backdrop is highly crucial. This time, we chose the glass curtain wall on the exterior of the mall because this kind of large, smooth reflective surface can expand the depth of space while reflecting the clouds and sky outside, making the originally mundane urban background look much clearer. From a photography perspective, natural light uniformly casting on the face can save a lot of post-processing effort for skin retouching; as long as you slightly suppress the highlights, the overall color tone becomes very comfortable.
最后, if you want to shoot in this kind of venue, you can flexibly utilize the facilities within the scene. For example, leaning against a nearby glass railing, or randomly placing a bag on the ground to form a visual balance. The style of this costume carries a strong stage feel, so there's absolutely no problem with larger ranges of motion; various dramatic waves and goofy V-signs will look highly fitting for the genki attributes of the character setup. There's no need to carry too much pressure when taking convention photos; trying continuous shooting a few more times will always yield a photo where both expression and movement are on point. We snapped around hundreds of photos on-site, and we hope these final selections can bring some new inspiration and ideas to everyone who similarly loves role-playing and convention photo pose references. Wishing you smooth success with your next convention photos shoot!