F.A.Q. for a CON weekend
Q: Will you be taking photos while walking around the con? How is that different from a photoshoot?
Yes — I do Convention Floor Shots throughout the weekend. When I find you on the floor, I stop you, read your build, and direct you into a pose that suits your character. Shot with off-camera flash — a properly lit photograph.
Floor shots are free. Watermarked and posted to Facebook the week after the event. Want the unwatermarked hi-res version? That starts at $28 for one image. Bundles available:
| Images | Price | Per image |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28 | $28.00 |
| 3 | $80 | $26.67 |
| 5 | $120 | $24.00 |
| 10 | $230 | $23.00 |
Discount codes / Con Bounty / promotions drop the following week after each convention — follow me on Facebook or Instagram to catch them.
Q: What’s the difference between a Floor Shot and a Convention Session?
Floor Shot = convention floor, off-camera flash, directed pose. Free watermarked, support me with purchases of unwatermarked images.
Convention Session = a dedicated 30-minute slot, away from the chaos of the con floor. Every session includes a Heroic Image upgrade — one of your images gets the full Heroic retouch treatment. SFX isn’t included — it’s a paid top-up if you want it. Studio Mini Sessions are similar but with my full 3-light studio rig (key + 2 strip boxes) — garage studio or a hired space. Runs about 2 weeks after each major convention, or on demand.
| Session | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | $175 | 30 min · 8 base edited images · 1 Heroic Image upgrade · social crop |
| Duo | $225 | 30 min · 10 duo or solo base-edited images · 1 Heroic Image upgrade · social crop |
Home Base bonus: book at a Convention Session in Wellington event and your Solo includes 12 images (Duo also 12).
Convention bonus: book a Convention Session during a convention weekend and floor shots are $20 each at that same con.
Q: Is there an Early Bird price?
Yes. Early Bird for Convention Sessions opens 8 weeks before each out-of-Wellington event and closes 4 weeks out — we lock in the shoot rate at $130, and full payment locks the rate. Follow on Facebook or Instagram to get notified when Early Bird opens.
Q: What’s a Bespoke Session?
The full Capturing Cosplay experience. Your character, your story, proper time and light. I lead the shoot — hunting for Yummylight (if available 😎) — and we build the images together.
| Session | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Bespoke 1-Hour | $250 ($230 Early Bird) | 1 hour · 5 Heroic retouched images |
| Bespoke 2-Hour | $450 | 2 hours · 8 Heroic retouched images |
| Bespoke 2-Hour + Print | $550 | As above + 1 × A3 print |
| Bespoke Duo (2-Hour) | $550 | 2 hours · 8 duo images |
| Half Day | $1,000 | 4 hours · 40–60 images/hour, unwatermarked |
Home Base bonus: Bespoke 1-Hour includes 10 images and Bespoke 2-Hour includes 16 images when booked at a Wellington event.
Locations: Wellington city, your chosen location (travel costs apply outside Wellington), garage studio, or convention-adjacent golden hour. Payment plans available over several months — just ask.
Q: What’s the Fast Pass?
Made your image selections and don’t want to wait? Add the Fast Pass and your picks jump the edit queue — processed first, delivered first. It’s +100% on top of your selection total, and it includes the 48-hour Selection Gallery rush at no extra charge. (Only need the Selection Gallery sooner, without the Fast Pass? Rush delivery is +$50.)
Q: What add-ons are available?
| Add-on | Price |
|---|---|
| Extra Heroic image | $35 |
| A3 print + Digital | $115 (includes the chosen digital) |
| A4 print + Digital | $50 (includes the chosen digital, laminated) |
| Hi-Res Digital Topup | +$50 — upgrade any purchased digital to A3-printable resolution |
| Rush delivery — Selection Gallery (48hr) | +$50 |
| Fast Pass — Priority Processing | +100% of your total |
Q: What’s the Cutting Room Floor (CRF)?
After a Bespoke Session, there are always solid images that didn’t make the final cut — good light, good pose, just not Heroic-level. The Cutting Room Floor gives you access to those as simple edits: colour correction, white balance, exposure, crop. No skin retouching, no compositing. Presentable and shareable, not magazine-ready. Available on Bespoke Sessions only.
| Tier | Price | Images |
|---|---|---|
| CRF | $140 | Up to 10 images |
| CRF XL | $200 | Up to 20 images |
Q: I love your floor shots but can’t afford the unwatermarked version. How can I support you?
Thank you — that genuinely means a lot. The watermarked version is yours to use on social media, no cropping of the watermark please. Other ways to support:
- Leave a review on the Capturing Cosplay Facebook page
- Tell your cosplay friends about my work
- Grab me a coffee via Ko-Fi
- Tag @capturingcosplay when you post the image
Q: Can you pose me? I don’t know what I’m doing.
Of course, posing you is part of the job. I’ll direct you into something that suits your character. Come with 1–3 poses in mind if you have them, but don’t stress if you don’t. Floor poses are better saved for a full bespoke session. Check out my Posing Tips for inspiration.
Q: Do I need to take off my mask?
No — we can absolutely shoot with a mask. Cosplay masks are part of the character. I would encourage you to do some without your cosplay mask to show that’s you. If you’re wearing a medical mask for health reasons, that’s entirely your call. We can work around it either way.
Q: Can I bring someone with me?
Always YES. An extra person is genuinely useful — they can fix costume details I might not notice, hold gear, or just bring energy to the shoot. For Bespoke Sessions, having a helper is especially handy for larger builds.
Q: What camera and lighting gear do you use?
I usually use a Canon camera body with prime lenses — sharp, fast glass suited for convention environments and low light. Off-camera flash when needed. They are “often” used with a diffuser to create directional, flattering light rather than a harsh burst. Direct flash has come back in again. Sometimes zoom lenses and large battery-powered studio heads as well. Depends on the situation and how much sun there is. I always have backup gear (Spare camera body, lens, or flash) within a few minutes’ reach.
Q: What happens if it rains?
Unless it’s pouring, I can still shoot (ideally just a light drizzle). Rain actually makes for interesting light. It depends on your comfort level and your costume’s tolerance for moisture. There’s an option to use my garage studio if in Wellington. If the weather is truly unworkable, we can reschedule to a mutually agreed date — no penalty.
Q: Can you shoot before or after the convention?
Yes — convention-adjacent golden hour is one of my favourite setups; the light is often beautiful and the surroundings are interesting. Just reach out and we’ll sort the timing. I can also be available before or after a con weekend.
Q: Can I book now and pay later?
Yes — no finished images are released until payment is completed. Payment plans are available over several months for larger sessions. On the day I can take bank transfer, cash, or card. Just ask.
Q: Do you have a makeup artist you can recommend?
I have a few MUAs I’ve worked with and trust. Reach out and I’ll point you in the right direction for your build.
Q: Do you offer training or mentoring?
Yes — three options: “Where You’re At” chat + 10-image review ($100), Beginner “How to See” shooting session ($150, 1.5 hrs), and a Portfolio Review of up to 25 images ($200). Available to photographers at any level, not just cosplay. Book through the contact form. I have several photographers who have risen a few levels and are actively shooting after doing just the two to four sessions with me.
Q: How much of a geek are you?
Pen and paper RPG/Wargaming before the internet (Call of Cthulhu, Dungeons & Dragons, Vampire: The Masquerade, Werewolf, Deadlands, L5R – almost won several tournaments with corrupted Unicorns, Blood Angels, Vampire Counts). Mainstream and indie comic heroes (Shadowcat, Tim Drake Robin, Lynn MinMei, The Darkness). Martial arts (Wing Tsun, Tai Chi, Shaolin). Sci-fi, fantasy and horror movies. Dance trained (Salsa – On One, Argentine Tango, Lindy Hop, Ballroom).
Other geeky stuff: Ravenclaw. House Tyrell. Cold IPA, Islay whisky, wonton noodle soup, char siu. Magic: The Gathering; still looking for a Jewelled Lotus, Mox Jasper, Mox Amber, Eldrazi (Big 3) and Soul Stone.
A Few Good-to-Knows
All pricing includes GST · One sneak peek posted to Facebook in the week following every shoot · Mini session galleries delivered within 7 days · Bespoke session delivery discussed at consultation (up to 3 weeks for complex edits) · Please make you selections within 14 days upon receiving Proofs/Feedback · TFP considered on a case-by-case basis, reach out with your concept and moodboard · Payment plans available — just ask
