An Interview with Cosplay Photographer Dea Star
Model - Shadow
In this article we interview Dea Star from Washington State, who is not only a great photographer but also a self-publisher, craft maker and business owner of Dea Star Crafts. We talk to her about her artistic influences, why she loves cosplay and some of the challenges she faced in her photography.
Tell us about yourself. What were some of your major influences growing up?
I was born and raised in Seattle, WA. I love crafts, cosplay, and photography. My friends call me Dea, I am almost 29 years old and I live with my cat.
Growing up, my parents didn’t have a lot of money so I learned to be creative with what I have or by shopping at thrift stores. We either had to make our own Halloween costumes or use something we already had. So I believe that is what got me into cosplay.
Last year I started NW Cosplay, which is cosplay photography and props. I do the photography and my boyfriend makes the props. I also have another business where I sell all sorts of accessories made by me called Dea Star Crafts.
Describe how you were first became acquainted with cosplay and photography?
I attended my first con in 2001 and was just going for the dealer’s hall and I loved how the people dressed up. The next year, my friend made my first cosplay, Utena from RG Utena, and it was fun, so every year I did a costume for the con (all school girls). Then I took a break and got back into it in 2010 after a bad breakup. It made me feel happy and I wanted better pictures so I bought my first SLR. A year later, I decided that I wanted to be able to take lovely cosplay photos and ever since I have been hooked.
What is the allure of cosplay? Why do you feel cosplay is becoming more popular worldwide?
I think why so many people love to cosplay is mainly because you do get a lot of attention but I also see that it also helps people with confidence. It just makes you feel special and it can be so much fun with friends.
I started cosplaying before it was so big, back then it was so hard to find the right wig and to make your outfit but now it seems to have exploded! I’m not sure what happened there but I am happy that it has gotten bigger since now it’s easier to find the perfect wig.
Do you have to do a lot “directing” when you take pictures of cosplayers? What should cosplayers think about if they are getting pictures taken by a professional?
There have been a few times where before I started shooting with someone they would say “I have no idea what to do.” It’s also hard when I don’t know who the character is so I don’t know how they move or pose. I tell them when they hear the click of the camera that you need to make changes in your pose and I do help with posing. If your arm looks funny, I will help position it so it looks good and I will give suggestions. To me, I think cosplayers need to practice poses before a shoot. After all, they love the character enough to cosplay as them so they should study their moves/poses/looks.
What has been your weirdest or best experience so far as a cosplay photographer?
I was contacted by the mother of a cosplayer to come do a shoot for her daughter’s senior pictures and two costumes in Portland, I took the gig only asking for gas money. That day the weather kept changing so much, some areas it was just pouring rain and then it would be sunny and then rain and then hail and then sun, so I prayed that it would be nice when I got there. Luckily once I did and we started the shoot it was the perfect weather all three hours. After it was over they were so nice and gave me way more than I asked for and it was a blessing.
Do you think cosplay becoming more mainstream is a positive or negative thing? Do you foresee any dangers to the culture?
There are both positives and negatives to cosplay becoming more mainstream. I choose to look at the more positive side (more cons and easier to find wigs). As it has gotten bigger I think it has become more accepting, for example before I was into it my sister thought it was silly and didn’t get it and now that I am a cosplayer she thinks it’s cool and understands it and explains it to her friends who don’t get. So I think more people are accepting it as something good rather than thinking we are weirdos.
What mistakes would you advise novice photographers not to make?
The worst mistake you can make is not to check the image on your camera after you take the shot to make sure the exposure is good. I once hired my friend to shoot me with a group and I was disappointed in the pictures since so many where overexposed or underexposed so I couldn’t use a lot of the pictures, and he didn’t shoot RAW. Always check and make adjustments so that doesn’t happen! Mistakes will happen, you just have to learn from them.
What exactly makes a photograph a work of art?
To me, what makes a photo a work of art is the subject; if it’s a person they need to convey a certain emotion. You can have a great shot but if your model is not putting the effort into it, it’ll ruin the overall look. Then it’s the angle, it needs to draw the person into the picture. Too many times I’ve had friends take a picture of me and I look short since they’re taller and it’s just not a pleasing angle, you need to have a angle that draws you into the subject while complementing it.
What challenges do you face in your shoots? How do you overcome them?
My challenges during a shoot are that I tend to lose inspiration, due to model or location. To help with that, I tend to want to move to other locations to see if that helps with the models posing. That inspires me to create great shots.
What camera(s) do you use and why? Which programs do you use to enhance to your photos?
I have a Canon Rebel Xsi DSLR, I got it three years ago since it came highly recommended by my friend who is a great photographer. I have had other cameras and Canon has become my favorite since it’s easy to use and very dependable.
I use Photoshop Elements 7 with Imagenomic portraiture plug-in to edit my photos.
What is the correct way to use digital programs when it comes to enhancing photos?
When it comes to enhancing photos with any type of software, it’s best to keep in mind not to overdo it. I may do extreme stuff to photos sometimes, like adding lens flares or adding fire, just to see what people think but often I like keeping it simple, such as correcting lighting/colors. I do love how Imagenomic makes the skin look flawless. I do not believe in making someone of normal build and making them look like a size zero. Enhancing photos should be like makeup; made to look natural.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on my second photography book for NW Cosplay. The first book I made was 40 pages and self published with Blurb. For the second book I will be using Magcloud (so it’ll be like a magazine but a little higher quality) and it’s going to be about 100+pages and will include a lot more things to showcase the wonderful world of cosplay.
Where can someone contact you if they are interested in working with you?
I can be reached via email at here, you can also see what I’m up to on Facebook at facebook.com/nwcosplay
Share with us three of your favorite pictures you’ve taken and the stories behind them.
1) Yume – I met this girl through a myspace friend (back when people used it) and we met for a shoot. She was a great model to work with. I had a lot of fun and it was the first shoot I had done. This is my favorite picture because one of my photographers I admire said it was an awesome shot.
Full set at: http://deastar.smugmug.com/
2) Vocaloid – (Model BangBangNeko) This was the first time I did a personal shoot with a cosplayer. That day it was rainy, sunny, rainy and then sunny so I was happy when it stayed nice for the shoot. I shared the story in question #5.
Full set at: http://deastar.smugmug.com/NW-
3) Barbara – I wanted to do a shoot in which I could only do landscape framed shoots (no portrait) to show that it could be done. I found Barbara via an ad I placed on craiglist, I wanted an edgy model, and as shy as she seemed she took direction very well and was up for any ideas I had.
Full set at: http://deastar.smugmug.com/
