I can't believe I got the COVER!!

An insight to one of my dream covers!

Have you ever had a dream that people told you was unobtainable? Goodness knows I have. I've been a photographer for 3 years now with a focus on cosplay, fashion, fine art and portraits, while I do offer family sessions, headshots, event photography and much more I really love the unique creative side to cosplay, fashion and fine-art/portraits.

Well often times id daydream about how cool it would be to get a cover with Cosplay Realm Magazine after one of my cosplay sessions with clients. I tried not to let that little voice in my head speak as a reminder of the nay-sayers, the people who would tell me they only accept people who are extremely talented, well established or celebrities in the cosplay world.

Most of my personal cosplay and photography idols have graced the covers, so in a way I get where these people where coming from (maybe that don't get your hopes to high sort of thing?)...

Well as of August 1st 2021 I officially have an interview, editorial spread AND cover in Cosplay Realm Magazine!

The Fire Emblem Three Houses Photoshoot

In June I was approached by the group of talented cosplayers about being the photographer for their Fire Emblem Three Houses cosplay group shoot. I was so excited! I haven't worked with most of them yet and I love working with new people. They where amazing in sending me detailed referance photos, information on the characters and the shots they wanted to take. The location itself was perfect, the Sunken Gardens in Rochester NY. We booked a time slot for our shoot to ensure we wouldn't need to rush ourselves.

The day of the shoot it was almost 95 out! I drove almost 2 hours to the location and when I got there I sat nervously in the cool AC of our car, I arrived a bit early in case traffic was bad. The day before I had just gotten my second dose of the cover vaccine but luckily I had no side effects! I was scared the week leading up tot the shot that I would end up having some. Well when I saw everyone arriving I was blown away by their costumes. The amount of work, details, effort and time that it must have taken to make them alone was awe inspiring!

With plenty of water at hand (thanks to the organizer of the shoot Erin, for bringing a lot of water!) and my gear we all set forth to start the shoot! Ive posted some BTS (behind the scenes) cell phone pics Johnny took of us all below.

(keep reading after for more about the shoot and the magazine...)

Some of the cosplayers where wearing fur capes, full body armor, thick heavy fabrics and large props! How the endured the heat I don't really know. I was so worried that they'd get a heat stroke while we where shooting but water breaks, shade and working in shifts helped a lot. While I did one on one shots with some the others where able to take mini breaks in-between being in front of the camera. We worked for two hours getting individual shots, small pairings of two fo three, group photos of the houses the characters are from, and the large group shots. I did my best to make sure everyone was happy with the shots by showing them the in camera shots as seen in some of the BTS cell pics above. The time went by fast and I was already on my way home back in the cool AC of our car.

That week I edited a few select photos of the group pics and those where submitted to Cosplay Realm Magazine for the Nintendo issue! Following that I finished more of the photos and sent them out to everyone. I was so proud of the shots and how amazing everyone looked! Well a few more weeks went by and June was nearing an end and I got an email that made my dreams come true!! Cosplay Realm Magazine was asking to use our submission for their cover, to interview ME about the shoot and the cosplayers as well!! I WAS FLOORED!! Ahh! Well within the given time I did the interview, sent in more photos and then had to wait that final week... wait to share my news!! Wait to share that a dream of mine had come true. All because of the wonderful cosplayers picking me to be their photographer. I am extremely thankful for this opportunity and humbled by the fact that my dreams came true in a way I had no clue they would!

Yes while I've gotten many covers with fashion magazines such as Gothesque Magazine, Dye magazine, Jelly baby Magazine among others this moment will forever stay within my heart.

I think the lesson here is to never let anyones unsolicited advice on matters that don't involve them

(in this case my dreaming of getting a cover with Cosplay Realm Magazine) get into your head and to continue to work towards your dreams and goals! It's worth every amount of energy and effort to see them come true; the experiences along the way while you work towards them are so valuable.

• Please note: I am not a writer, author or great at spelling/writing in general. There will be errors lol!