It's officially spooky season, which means it's time for Snaptober! For Day 1, the prompt was Villains, and I knew exactly which photos I wanted to share.
What gets more evil than the Evil Queen from Snow White and Ursula from The Little Mermaid reimagined as Sith Lords from Star Wars? Honestly, I'm not sure it gets much better than that!
These cosplayers came up with the Disney-meets-Star-Wars mashup themselves, combining recognizable Disney villain designs with Star Wars Sith elements. The result was such a fun concept, and I knew I wanted to photograph them in a way that made them look like they had stepped straight into the middle of a battle.
I photographed these cosplays at Phoenix Fan Fusion, and we leaned into dramatic, character-inspired poses to bring the idea to life. Instead of having both cosplayers look directly at the camera, we posed them as if they were in the middle of a fight. Their attention was focused away from the camera, making the photos feel like a moment captured in the middle of a much bigger story.
Of course, we couldn't have Sith Lords without lightsabers! Both cosplayers brought their own, and we used them to add even more drama to the images. One of my favorite details was how we photographed the Evil Queen holding her lightsaber with the Force. I had someone just out of frame hold the tip of the saber so the cosplayer could pose as if she were using the Force to keep it suspended in the air.
We use practical effects in this house!
Sometimes, a little creativity behind the scenes is all you need to bring a fantasy concept to life. I love finding ways to make a character's powers, personality, and story come across in a photograph, even if it takes a little help from someone outside the frame!
That's one of my favorite things about cosplay photography. You're not just taking a picture of a costume; you're creating a moment that feels like it belongs in that character's world. Whether it's a dramatic battle, a villain's evil scheme, or a scene straight out of your favorite fandom, there are so many ways to turn a cosplay into a story.
Want Your Own Creative Cosplay Photoshoot?
If you're a cosplayer looking for a cosplay photographer in Phoenix, Arizona, I'd love to help bring your ideas to life! I love photographing creative concepts, dramatic character portraits, and fantasy-inspired scenes. You don't have to stick to a standard pose or simply stand and smile at the camera. We can work together to create images that capture your character and tell a story.
Have a crossover idea you've been dying to try? A character you want to bring to life? Or maybe you just want some awesome photos of a costume you've spent months working on? Let's get creative!
This is only Day 1 of Snaptober, so there's plenty more creative photography to come. Follow along throughout October as I share a new set of photos inspired by a different prompt every day.
Happy spooky season!
