Application Guidelines – Wellington Cosplay Photo Fest

Updated 23/08/2024

Before you get started…

We recommend that you read the Event Rules & Code of Conduct and these Application Guidelines before you submit an application form for our event. Please check the FAQs ahead of contacting WCPF organisers with questions – however, if you cannot find the answer you’re looking for, you can email at cosplayphotofest@gmail.com or DM on Instagram.

We don’t operate on a first-come-first-served basis, so there’s no need to rush applying! We ask that you follow all instructions within the form and provide sufficient detail so that the organisers can process your application.

Applications that do not follow these guidelines may not be considered for this event – please read carefully and check the FAQs or clarify with organisers if you’re unsure. Because WCPF is growing all the time, competition for a place in this event is increasing. Please make sure you’ve given us what we’ve asked for!

Experience

This event welcomes cosplayers and photographers of different experience levels. You do not need to be a pro to take part! We do however expect everyone to have at least some experience with formal cosplay photoshoots, or other relevant experience such as glamour or fashion photoshoots. We’re also looking out for some indicators of basic skills (e.g. in a photographer, a basic understanding of lighting and image composition; and in a cosplayer, posing and overall image quality).

We deliberately seek to have a wide range of experience levels in this event – so being relatively new to cosplay or cosplay photography isn’t a bad thing! WCPF isn’t a cosplay construction competition, so there’s no requirement to have made your own costumes (as opposed to buying them). We don’t have any expectation of follower count etc to take part, but we do look for participants that are active in the community and currently producing and sharing their work.

Portfolio of Work

Part of this event’s application process is to submit a portfolio of your work. These should be images that you consider to be your best, please refer to details below for specific information for cosplayers and photographers. If you are unable to provide enough images from formal photoshoots, we strongly encourage you to get in more practice before you apply for the event.

Cosplay New Zealand is an excellent resource for finding people to work with – there are directories to look up cosplayers and photographers in your area.

For photographers: we’re looking for a portfolio that demonstrates a good eye for composition and/or model direction, a good understanding of ambient and/or flash lighting and experience with a range of models (i.e. please don’t send us only images of the same model, or from only one photoshoot; we recommend a minimum of three different models). All images should be from formal photoshoots (i.e. no convention hall snaps or candids; ‘photowall’ images are acceptable). Note that there is a big difference between a deliberately posed photo and a casual snapshot.

For cosplayers: we’re looking for a portfolio that demonstrates a good understanding of posing, a range of costumes (Eg. please don’t send us images of the same cosplay; we recommend a minimum of three different costumes). Remember that we aren’t judging on cosplay quality, this isn’t a competition! We also don’t require images of the costumes that you’d want to wear to the event, but they should give an indication of your preferred genre or style. All images should be from formal photoshoots (i.e. no convention hall snaps or selfies; ‘photowall’ and high quality self-shot images are acceptable). Please ensure that all images are SOLO ONLY – the only exception to this is for those specifically applying as a duo on the one application (as per rules and regulations, this must be discussed with the organisers prior to application).

Please also provide one headshot of yourself in square format with head/shoulders showing. This does not need to be a boring passport image, but your face should be clearly visible and make up the main part of the image. This should be a photo of you out of cosplay or in a ‘natural’ cosplay (i.e. own hair, casual clothes and minimal makeup with no special effects.)

We have provided some additional guidance on the portfolios below:

Image quantity: 5 – 10
Format: jpg and png only
Size: minimum of 2000px on the shortest side
Submission method: Dropbox, Google Drive or One Drive link included in your application form – no Behance or Flickr please. DO NOT send a PDF or word document with images pasted in – the image files should be uploaded to the folio directly.

Here are some examples of what we’re looking for, and how we present them within the private participants group – we ask for 5-10 images so that we have a bit more flexibility in laying them out nicely in a single image to present you to the other participants. Keep this in mind when selecting your portfolio images by all means, however we still want to see what you consider your BEST work!

Portfolios that do not meet requirements may not be considered for the event. Should you be invited to participate in the event, these images will be used in your participant portfolio and posted to the event’s private Facebook groups. This includes the headshot.

Again we’d like to stress that we’re looking to have a wide range of experience levels within WCPF. We will ALWAYS welcome beginners who meet our guidelines! We hope that all participants will be able to learn and grow from their experience at WCPF and continue to celebrate cosplay photography in Aotearoa and abroad.