How to Run a Photoshoot

Congrats photoshoot leader!!!!!

Its okay don’t panic; whether you volunteered or were requested to run the shoot here are some guidelines to help you keep everything moving

  • ARRIVE EARLY
    • If you are a shoot leader you should arrive 10-15 min before your shoot time, by no means should you be getting there late
    • If you are running late, contact the shoot page or if you know someone else attending the shoot let them know.
  • ASK FOR HELP
    • If you requested to run the shoot or just arrived and had staff approach you it is a good idea to have at least one other person offer to help
      • Good guideline is for every 25 attendees for a shoot you should have a helper
      • The assistant can help with getting directions to everyone and be assigned as the person to go for picture requests, they can also help keep an eye on how much time you have left to your shoot
  • INTRODUCE YOURSELF
    • If there is a con staff overseeing your shoot location it is best to go and introduce yourself to them first… if heaven forbid a problem comes up they are your friend
    • Assigned or volunteer photographer… again second best person to be friends with, some cons will assign a photographer to cover official shoots. The photographer can give pointers on best place to pose the group.
    • The lovely cosplayers and fans who have come to your shoot today…… It’s always good to introduce yourself, say hi, welcome to the shoot… and thank everyone for coming out.
      • If you have a helper or two introduce them as well and say this is the person to ask picture requests or whatever they are doing to help
  • GET THE GROUND RULES OUT OF THE WAY : COSPLAY IS NOT CONSENT
    • As the leader of a shoot its your job to ensure people have a safe and fun experience while there…. Make it clear that inappropriate or threatening behavior during a shoot will not be allowed… I personally state at the shoots I run that all posing with partners or “ship pictures” should not happen without permission; make it clear that if someone is uncomfortable they have every reason to refuse and get you the leader and by extension that helpful con staff who you are already best friends with involved to stop such situation….
  • DO NOT GET IN A FIGHT WITH ANY ATTENDEES
    • In the event that something happens and you have to step in, request that the person leave the area… if they refuse it is then time to get a con staff or con security involved, they have the authority to remove said attendee… if you do not have a staff member on site request someone volunteer to go get one
  • READY FOR THE FUN???
    • Between the introduction and ground rules you’ve probably landed at 5 min after start time so lets get started.
    • Photographers – I make it a point to have any attendees who just came with a camera to take pictures come to the front of the crowd either near me or the assigned photographer and let them get settled… it’s no fun if you’ve come to take pictures and all you get is cosplayer heads because of a crowd
    • HIDE THOSE PESKY BADGES – again we all want to have nice pictures to remember the fun so hide or put away any bags, badges and the such that don’t relate to the cosplay..
    • FULL GROUP SHOT
      • Yup get everyone up and organized for one big picture, this is also the best time to get a good look at who all has come out to attend the shoot
    • COUNTDOWN – ONCE EVERYONE HAS SETTLED FOR THE PHOTO ( you can see all faces and no one is still trying to get into the picture ) GIVE A 5-10 SECOND COUNTDOWN (5 sec for large groups is recommended )
    • Know what group your going to call next
  • 1ST HALF OF YOUR SHOOT
    • Its best to get the largest groups done first
      • Ex: My Hero Academia after the full shot call Heroes next
      • Ex: Sports Anime after the full shot call the team with the most attendees
    • Move through your fandom as needed
      • HEROES, VILLAINS, STUDENTS
      • WIZARD, HEALER, SOLDIER, ASSASSIN
      • TEACHER, STUDENT, RIVAL SCHOOLS / GROUPS
      • TIME LORDS, COMPANIONS, VILLAINS
      • ECT……..
    • After you have the big shots done with start going down your character list
      • MAIN CHARACTERS
      • 2ND CHARACTERS
      • SUPPORT CHARACTERS
  • This is also where your shoot helpers can play a major role, they can either be keeping an eye out for new people joining the shoot or receive requests about new characters or groupings
  • 2ND HALF OF YOUR SHOOT – check your time
    • LET THE SHIPPING COMENCE
    • COSPLAY IS NOT CONSENT !!!!!
      • It will never hurt to state this again
      • If people do not support a ship being called they have the right to not go up for a picture of said ship
      • Also be aware and make your group aware that unless you are running a 18+ only shoot any poses or content that can be considered NSFW or “abusive” should be discouraged within the large group setting – be aware people in attendance could include minors
        • ( ex: I recently had a pair request a strangling picture, since my photos were to be posted on the main pages of the con; in view of minors and since the content of said photos could be traumatizing to others I declined the photo for the main group but offered if they wanted such pictures I could take them on a personal phone, not with the group shots)
    • START WITH THE MOST POPULAR SHIPS & GO FROM THERE
      • Shipping can take a whole lots of time since potentially any character can be shipped with any character ( hello crack ships)
      • For the big ones if your in the fandom that’s the ship that most readily comes to mind ( or google “ anime title “ ships and that top link will give you the list; i actually did this with My Hero Academia and got the top ships for this tutorial )
        • Ex for Voltron – Keith x Lance or Lotor x Allura ( literally any paladin x Shiro)
        • Ex My Hero Academia – Deku x Baku or Todoroki x Deku
        • Dragon Ball Z would be Bulma x Vegeta
      • This will also be a good time for your Shoot Helpers to be there for requests since not every mainstream ship with have both parties in cosplay and if you’ve got the time those Rare Pairs and OTP ships that want pictures can come request to be called
      • How many ships you get through are determined by your group size and time, keep and eye out for the 10 min mark and let you group know that time is winding down
        • Most shoot are 1hr long and run on a tight schedule with other groups, if you are one of the fortune that don’t have a shoot running after you then you can go over but otherwise you need to end on time
  • ENDING YOUR SHOOT
    • Ending on time is very important
    • Always thank the people who came out to the shoot
    • Attendees will ask where to find said pictures, assigning a hashtag is the fastest way for people to find pictures from everyone.

~ Guidelines to running a Photoshoot created by Tarisqueen ~