Phew. So, another Anime Central is complete! At the time of this writing I’ve got something like 15-20 photoshoots scheduled. By the time you read this, I will be effectively brain dead. Nothing to do for it but veg out and marathon Game of Thrones!

While I recover, I thought it would be fun ​to take a trip to ACENs past! I’ve been shooting there since 2009. This con had a lot of firsts for me: First out-of-state, first BIG con with my SLR camera (and editing in Lightroom!)… Every year there’s something new to learn, and fantastic new people to meet! 

2009​
First year with SLR camera, no flashes.

2011​
Important lessons from this year:

1. When equipment malfunctions (AND IT WILL) do not panic! (First year with a flash and Pocket Wizards! Of course, they spent half the con NOT WORKING.)
2. Look EVERYWHERE for good photo locations. And if there’s a convenient school bus? GRAB IT!
3. Lightroom is proof that the Flying Spaghetti Monster loves photographers and wants us to be happy. Best. Editing Program.
   

2012​
Got my beloved 50 mm lens for this con, and I LOVE IT FOREVER. Also brought two flashes, and was able to create a wide range of lighting.

First time running big groups - My Little Pony and Fancy Homestuck Dreamers. Lots of work and planning, but lots of fun!

Also, Perry the Platypus’s con debut! Everything is more fun with a platypus.

What about you? Were you at Anime Central? What’s been your favorite memory/ lesson? Share in the Comments!​

Midna
Twilight Princess
A&G Ohio 2013

EXTERMINATE!
FABULOUS!

Codexana in her spiffy Dalek dress!
A&G Ohio

“Make a contract with me damnit!”
toppledcards as Kyuubei
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
A&G Ohio 2013

WE ARE THE CARTOON HEROES!

Jake/ Jane/ Roxy/ Dirk
Tricksters
Homestuck
A&G 2013

I had WAY too much fun with these colors! (Though my computer began making alarming whining noises as I tried to edit them. Poor thing. O_o)

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you, the world needs you!”
Anne as Sherry
Resident Evil 6
A&G Ohio 2013

A&G was small, with very few photo locations. Fortunately, there were a bunch of semis parked around the con… so I threw Anne under one! Important lesson kids - EVERYTHING is a potential photoshoot location. Everything.

Okay, for some reason my “Newbie Cosplayer” blog post didn’t include the photo gallery, so I’m posting it separately for Tumblr!

DEAR NEWBIES

Take a look at these cosplayers. These are photos from their VERY FIRST private shoots. Once, they all said the same thing you did -
“I’ve never done this before!”

They did just fine. So will you.

Remember, we were ALL new once!

Love,
CT
(Special thanks to kukiexsiren, Ryvine, realgingerale, Heather, Amara and Benjamin, LostGirlWendy, Aubrey, kerstynnlane, Lindsi, codexana, Sara, Olivia, Anne, and pokedawolf!)

GG: i will be your hero
GG: its me
TG: wait what

Sara as Jade
Mitchell as Dave
Homestuck
A&G Ohio

Assistant: Tori

PENGUINS!
Kristi as Himari/Princess of the Crystal
Sheri as Ringo Oginome
Mawaru Penguindrum
A&G Ohio

Assistant: Suzi

Jason as Dante
Devil May Cry
A&G Ohio 2013

“When it comes to basketball, we do think alike.”
Amara as Kuroko
Ben as Daiki
Kuroko no Basuke
A&G Ohio 2013

Assistant: Anne

I tried to shoot this like a Sports Illustrated spread. It was fun to play around with a sports shoot!

Make new friends but keep the old
One is silver and the other gold

Nara as Sora
Christine as Kairi
Kingdom Hearts
A&G Ohio 2013

Assistant: Anne

KrunchyCosplay as Big Sister
Bioshock
Union Terminal, Cincinnati

Assistants: Anne and Kasey

THIS was the shoot I was the MOST excited for! I adore using REALLY unique locations for my shoots. When Krunchy requested an “Art Deco” setting for her Bioshock costume, I knew just where to take her - Union Terminal in Cincinnati!

I’ve got a challenge for you!

Next time you’re photographing - your brother, a bake sale, Batwoman - step back for a minute, and really look at your subject. People’s lives aren’t made of full-body shots. Lives are built of smaller pieces. Jewelry. What they ate for breakfast. Hats. A favorite book.

Find that little detail. Ask them about it. Take a couple shots. You may be surprised what you get!  Zooming in on the pieces builds a more complete picture - and often tell lovely tales all by themselves.

What about you? What ONE pieces would you pick to tell your story? Share in the Comments!
(Mine is my great-grandfather’s camera, the Pony 135 you see below!)

…never be a memory…

Ronald as Sephiroth
Brandi as Tifa
Alex as Cloud
Jordan as Reno
Final Fantasy VII Advent Children
A&G Ohio 2013