This week, as I scrolled through my Instagram, I came upon the following image:
As soon as I read this and then continued through the comments on my friend's IG photo, I became angrier and angrier. The comments ranged from something as simple as "So true!" to ranting "Omg! I am totally feeling you. Like, especially these chicks who wear barely nothing. I mean, really, I rather be one of a kind than be a poser like some of these people who only dress up as these characters because they're popular right now." to the always pathetic "I was so mad because I only had my picture taken once despite how on point my cosplay was". These "quotes", as a heads up, are paraphrased.
This is a topic that has come up a number of times among cosplay groups and even a few friends of mine have shared this opinion with me. I've always held my tongue or tried to change the subject, but I'm done holding my tongue because my opinion is unpopular. Let me hit on some of the points made in the original post and the comments that followed.
Only popular characters get their picture taken: If you are cosplaying as a popular character, the chances of getting your picture taken both increase and decrease pending the specific con and situation. When I first wore my Suicide Squad film Harley Quinn, before the movie was even released, I had my picture taken a bunch. The following year, after the movie was released, I only had my picture taken a few times. The common thread in both of these scenarios: I had a blast cosplaying. Why? Because I was cosplaying for myself and because I love the character. Attention and pictures are nice, but they aren't why I cosplay and I don't let them influence my experience.
Unpopular characters don't get their picture taken as much: I mean, this is true with everything in life. Unpopular snack foods get taken off the shelf. Unpopular movies leave the theaters quicker. It's not always that a character is unpopular either; they may just be unknown. If you cosplay as lesser known characters, not as many people are going to take your picture because they just don't know who you are. But trust me, the few who find you who know your character are going to be ecstatic.
Chicks in sexy, nonexistent clothing get their picture taken more than guys in full armor: As a "chick" who has done "sexy" cosplay with "nonexistent" clothing (think Suicide Squad Harley Quinn or One Piece's Nico Robin, which are tame compared to other cosplays), I can tell you those cosplays take as long to create as my more covering outfits. Those cosplays require them to fit exactly perfect as well as needing constant attention and maintenance to make sure you don't have a wardrobe malfunction. I have great respect for the girls and guys who wear the sexiest cosplays as well as those that construct full armor. I've seen girls dressed as Mina from Mortal Kombat stopped for as long as the guys who build their own Halo suits.
If you cosplay as a popular character, you're a poser looking for pictures: Are you serious? Who are you to judge how much of a fan someone is? Yes, there are people who only dress-up as popular characters; however, the fact that they spent the time, energy, and money to get dressed up as a character proves that they at least like how the character looks and are willing to dedicate time, energy, and money to become that character. It's not a matter of how big of a fan or how long you've been a fan that dictates if you are allowed to cosplay as that character. You're allowed to cosplay as whoever you want for whatever reason you want. You think they look cool. You saw them once in a movie. You've been reading their comics since you can remember. At the end of the day, we're all nerds dressed up.
My cosplay is on point and no one wants my picture: You can't dictate who takes your picture or how many people take your picture. People are going to take pictures of the characters they care about or who they think look awesome. That is different for every person. I tend to take pictures of characters I love because they're my favorites or highly detailed cosplays and armor builds because they amaze me. If you want guaranteed pictures, you have to hire a photographer. Otherwise, the amount of times you have your picture taken is not up to you and you shouldn't let that affect your cosplay experience.
At the end of the day, you can't force people to take your picture and you can't force people to pay attention to you. You can have fun at a convention catering to your interests. You can enjoy your time spent with friends. You can choose whatever cosplay you want to wear. You can decide what kind of experience you are going to have and your emotions involving them.
Stop worrying about how many people are taking your picture and just have fun!
