Succubus Catherine by Leaping Lizard Cosplay at Dragoncon 2015
📸 Cosplay Prints: Rights and Responsibilities
Photo courtesy of Leaping Lizard Cosplay
Recently, BGZ Studios wrote about something that’s often misunderstood in the cosplay world—prints and print rights. Let’s take a moment to unpack this topic, because if you’re planning to sell prints, it’s something you absolutely need to understand.
👉 Read BGZ’s full article here
🎭 My Experience – 🗣️ Talk First—Before the Shutter Clicks
When I first started out, I was just as confused as anyone. It’s only now—after gaining experience both in front of and behind the lens—that I feel confident enough to talk about the responsibilities that come with selling cosplay prints.
Let’s start with the golden rule:
If you plan on selling prints, you need to communicate with your photographer before the photo is even taken.
If you have any plans to sell prints of yourself, it’s absolutely essential to communicate that with the photographer before the shoot—even before the first photo is taken.
❓ What Rights Do Cosplayers Have?💬 What Rights Do Cosplayers Have?
Dusk of Oolacile by Leaping Lizard Cosplay
Simple answer? None—at least, not automatically.
If someone takes a photo of you in a public place, they own that image, not you. Think of paparazzi selling celebrity photos. You might not like it (I don’t either), but that’s how the law works.
BGZ Studios makes a great point: a model can request compensation for being photographed. But be careful—it’s best reserved for planned, private shoots. Telling random photographers at a con they owe you money can come off poorly. If you’re uncomfortable with how someone might use your image, a polite, “No thank you,” goes a long way.
📷 What Rights Do Photographers Have?
All of them.
Photographers own full rights to the photos they take. What they do with them is up to them. That said, I think cosplay and photography are both art forms—and both require serious skill, tools, and creative input.
People often underestimate how technical photography is. In many ways, a DSLR is just as complex as a sewing machine: lenses = presser feet, ISO = thread tension, editing = finishing seams. And just like in cosplay, quality tools (and practice!) make a huge difference.
Take Beethy, for example—he produces stunning work with a modest camera body and lens. His post-processing skills are top-notch.
Check out this amazing before and after shot!
Photo courtesy of Beethy Photography
Same goes for cosplay—look at Yaya Han’s Dark Elf build. That armor? Craft foam. And it looks amazing.
Photo courtesy of Yayahan.com
TLDR; Both art forms have considerable amount of work and to say one is more worthy that the other is ridiculous. (Coming from an amateur photographer and cosplayer)
📝 Get It in Writing
Paper is thicker than words.
If you’re planning to sell prints or work with photographers professionally, I highly recommend using written agreements. I’ve signed model release forms, and I save email chains that outline our expectations. It’s just good practice to protect both sides in case of misunderstandings or falling outs.
📸 Is There Even Hope of Me Getting Photos?
I know all of this might sound a little disheartening—especially if you’re new to selling prints or navigating photography rights. But don’t worry—all is not lost! There’s absolutely hope, and plenty of cosplayers (myself included!) make it work. It just takes a little communication, planning, and knowing what to ask for. You’ve got this. 💪✨
Well I know my article here may seem a little disheartening to some cosplayers, but don’t worry all is not lost.
💬 So, How Do the Pros Do It?
Communication. Every photographer is different. Ask questions!
Take Alexandra Lee Stuidos for example:
Many cosplayers work with her, and you’ll frequently see his work in their print shops. Her pricing is available right on his site. For the quality, I found her rates super fair. She did amazing work with my Team Valor Bunny cosplay! I adore these photos and she made me feel so beautiful… 🥰
Photo Courtesy of Alexandra Lee Studios
‼️Remember! Everybody’s different!
Another great experience was working with Short Fuse Pinups. She was professional, reasonably priced, and flexible when I asked for edits—like fixing chipped paint on my prop. Before our shoot, she had me sign a release form and explained exactly what she’d provide. Here is some of her work she did of me. :3
Photo: Short Fuse Pinups | Cosplayer: Leaping Lizard Cosplay
I now use her watermarked photos for promotion, and the high-res, watermark-free images will be used for prints. It’s a win-win: she gets credit, I get content. She’s awesome, and I highly recommend her!
🦎 Taking the Lead
In the past, I’ve crafted my own contract while hiring a local photographers. We discussed the shoot beforehand—how many edited photos I’ll receive, what formats I want (RAW vs. JPEG), if additional edits are okay, and full distribution rights. We’re still negotiating terms, but the experience has taught me a lot.
One note: altering final images can be very sensitive for photographers. For some, it’s like someone re-sewing your finished cosplay. Always ask for permission before making any edits to someone else’s work. Respect goes both ways.
✨ Final Thoughts
Whether you’re the cosplayer or the photographer, the golden rule is: Communicate. Clearly. Early. In Writing.
- Talk before you shoot
- Keep documentation (emails, contracts, receipts)
- Respect each other’s craft
- And always, always give credit where it’s due
Thanks for reading!
💬 Have questions or suggestions?
Leave a comment! Let me know what you’d like to see in future posts.
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