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I think… about 5 years ago. I knew what cosplay was, but I never really got into it. For this prom-thing at my school, I made a Peter Pan Costume. It was so much fun working on it, and being recognized felt amazing. It was as I if I really was Peter Pan. That was my first cosplay, even though it wasn’t really a cosplay on purpose!

Q: What attracts you to cosplay?

That it combines social contact, entertainment, pop culture and fashion. I’ve always been interested in fashion and how people look, but in combination with making friends and a “dream world”, it’s a whole different but just as amazing thing.

Q: How did you get into anime and what lead you into cosplay?

okay, I like anime, but I’m not a die hard anime-watcher as most cosplayers I know. In total, I maybe watched 3 complete series because the theme or characters attracted me. As I stated before, it’s mostly my interest in fashion and making friends that think alike that attracts me to Cosplay.

Q: What is your favourite cosplay?

I-no, from Guilty Gear. She’s a really sexy lady, and it was my first actual skimpy crossplay. Really exciting, but I loved it. I laughed so bad when guys tapped my shoulder to ask for a picture, but got kinda scared when I turned around.

Q: What is your most memorable moment while cosplaying?

A skit I performed with one of my best friends, on Bifff 2008. I crossplayed Dora the Explorer, and she crossplayed Boots (Dora’s pet monkey). It was one of the funniest acts ever, if I can say so myself, and amazingly fun to perform. People loved it and it was just amazing because of all the great reactions we got afterwards.

Q: Have you had any cosplays go wrong while making cosplays?

YES, one of my most recent cosplays, Reptile (from mortal kombat) was a PAIN IN THE ASS. It didn’t get finished completely and parts got lost, but overall it looked okay because it had so much separate elements… The biggest problem was wearing it. Because of the big amount of different little parts, I had to pretty much glue it on me. It was painful and I didn’t like wearing it, but I did get positive feedback.

Q: Have you ever regretted cosplaying?

Yes, a while ago some drama occurred on the cosplay-forum I’m on. I got involved and it wasn’t fun. I felt like I was attacked personally.
It wasn’t even cosplay related drama anymore, but I will always stand my ground. I’m also really different than most cosplayers, so sometimes people don’t really understand why I cosplay or think that it’s just nothing for me…

Q: Do your cosplays have a particular theme to them?

I like my cosplays to be challenging, sexy and funny. I love it how cosplays can be dramatic and taken very serious, but I’m more into the whole entertainment factor.

Q: Have you ever done group cosplay? If so how did you find that experience?

I only did 2 cosplays “on my own”, actually. I’ve been cosplaying with one of my best friends for a long time now (in one and the same theme) and we’re not getting bored

Q: What cosplays are you planning?

One of the Misfits (Jem and the Holograms), One of the Rainbow Brite characters, Namie Amuro, and a lot of others characters/people… Big plans ahead!

Q: Do you have a dream cosplay?

Vincent (final fantasy) in his Chaos form.

Q: How are the professional photo shoots usually managed?

I’ve done a lot of photo shoots that weren’t related to cosplaying, so I just really like being in front of the camera. What’s cool about cosplay-shoots is that you can stay in character easily. You ARE the character when cosplaying, so just let yourself go!

Q: Do you have one piece of advice that you would give to cosplay newbies?

Take it easy. Start easy. Learn from others and don’t be scared to ask advice. Cosplayers can be really harsh, but don’t let yourself get hurt. Learn from your mistakes.

Q: Do you have an account with the website Cosplay.com/other social networking sites?

I have an account on cosplay.com, but I’m not active. I’m most active on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/wolfgangforever

The reason that got me into photography is the cosplayers and the friends around me. Sometimes it’s hard to find the cosplayer pictures from the online search and also I had a hard time using photographs by other photographers (for copyright issue) so I decided to get a camera to shoot what I’ve been seeing and experiencing, this includes all my awesome friends around me, I want pictures to keep reminding me our good memories.

Q: How long have you been a photographer?

5 months. xD

Q: What would be your dream photoshoot?

I’d like to get cosplayers to the lake one day, relaxing, riding on the horse or some sort of world travelling photoshoot.

Q: In your opinion, are there any big differences between British cosplayers and those of other countries?

To me, there is no difference except the mother language is different. The similarity is these European cosplayers surprised me all the time with the unbelievably amazing costumes. To me, Europe cosplay community is the best so far judging from TECMO KOEI cosplay community I’m in charge currently.

Q: Do you have any crazy things that have happened to you while shooting?

A lot, I think it’s important to make the models comfortable, relaxed and have a sort of good relationship with me while shooting. Jokes and random things (like asking them doing crazy poses before the photoshoot) are always needed to get rid of they being nervous.

Q: Do you prefer on-location or in-studio shooting?

Well, both, depends what the content is (though I don’t have my own studio now) XD

Q: Do cosplayers make good models?

Those I met, they’re really really good. To me, they’re talented, they know how to make costumes, how to pose and make amazing photos, it’s really down to them  to make good photos, really.

Q: Are there any cosplays you refuse to take picutes of?

None yet, but I don’t think there will be any personally.

Q: Are you a fan of anything – anime, video games, sci-fi, etc?

Video games, Tecmo, Koei, Square-Enix, Capcom, Namco games are my top 5

Q: What has been your weirdest experience while photographing cosplayers?

Weirdest? I think the weirdest one would be the  cosplayers are thinking I’m the weirdest photographer, ’cause I kept shooting and shooting non-stop in order to get the good ones (and it came out that I had more than 800 photos in few hours) some of them thought I’m actually crazy haha.

Q: You’ve been to many countries. Which has been your favorite place to shoot?

At the moment, it’s Paris because I have good memories there with the cosplayers all around Europe in past Japan Expo event. I’d like to go to more countries in coming years if there’s a chance.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to say to the world?

I think everyone is able to make a good photography, the most important thing is to hunt the right models for yourself, make them comfortable and everything will come out beautifully. Trust yourself!

Where: Ghent (Belgium)

When: 17/18 November 2009

Another year another F.A.C.T.S…
This year we had the honor to meet Kevin Sorbo, Teal’C,…
Saw some nice cosplays: disney, Legoman, transformers, black butler, 5th Element…
Here is this year’s evaluation…