Cosplay Portraits // コスプレ

I first began this personal project after breaking my arm last March- mostly out of boredom. This is an on-going project in which I photograph cosplayers in their costumes, and ask them what it is about cosplay that draws them to the hobby.

Cosplay is the act of dressing up as a character from a book, film, or TV show- especially a Japanese anime or manga. It is very popular, not only in Japan, but around the world, and Melbourne happens to have a huge community of cosplayers. Many cosplayers make their own costumes and props, and take great pride in what they have created.

This is my third round of photographs from this series, and so far I have met a fantastic collection of people, all with such passion for what they do. Some people like the creative element of cosplay- getting to construct a costume or learning to sew. Others like the chance to portray a character, or take a break from their life by taking on another personality. But the unanimous reason that my subjects have given is that “cosplay is fun!”

I’m hoping to slowly built this series up and make it into a book.