I love conventions. One of my greatest creative loves is cosplay, and for the past few years conventions have been my biggest travel goal – attending conventions for two, three or even four days in various costumes. I would consider myself to have a good amount of expertise on what to expect at conventions, how best to prepare, and how to make the most of your con weekend. Depending what you plan to do, those tips and tricks can differ, so here are my tips for ComicCon:

Tips for Everyone

• Buy your tickets in advance. Though most conventions will have tickets available at the door, it can mean long lines, extra wait time, and higher prices to wait until you arrive at the con.
• See what the convention has to offer before attending. Check out the con’s website and see who their guests are and when they have signings, what panels and events are running, when the masquerade is, and anything else about the con that interests you. Make yourself a schedule for the day or weekend and stick to it as much or as little as you want to. Conventions can be overwhelming, with a lot going on at the same time, so it is very helpful to know when and where the events you want to attend are taking place in advance.
• Have access to a bag. If you’ve got a small-medium backpack or purse, bring it to keep everything you’ll need for the day, and anything you purchase while at the convention. Large backpacks or bags will get in the way, as Artists Alleys and Vendor Halls can get very crowded and difficult to navigate. If you’re a photographer, consider what equipment is worth bringing to the convention, as there is rarely a coat check available. If you’re a cosplayer, consider how you will carry things you need quick access to (such as your phone or wallet), and if you will carry a bag yourself or have a handler attending with you to carry things for you.
• Consider food. Some conventions are in busy areas with surrounding restaurants. Some conventions will have food for sale at the convention centre, either from the location itself, or from food trucks. Include meals and drinks throughout the day into your plans and budget. Bring snacks and water with you if you can, particularly if you are attending as a cosplayer or photographer and have fewer options in regards to your schedule.
• Be prepared for a busy day. Charge your phone fully beforehand, and bring a portable charger if you have one (you can bring a wall charger, but your options for outlets will be limited). If you are not in cosplay, wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared for lots of walking and standing, or to sit on the floor in a pinch.
• Please try to avoid bringing strollers to conventions, unless they are very small in size. While not all cons bring in family crowds, the ones run by organizations such as ComicCon or FanExpo definitely do, and strollers can cause a major issue in floor traffic and space. You will have trouble getting around the convention, I promise. Try bringing a small stroller, or a baby-wearing device instead. I’ve been asked by convention officials about how to improve their cons on several occasions, and my advice is always the same: regulate or ban large strollers from the areas of conventions with limited navigable space.

The Social Scene

Conventions can be an amazing place to hang out with friends and meet new people. Convention and cosplay communities are very tight knit, and it’s easy to know somebody who knows somebody who’s organizing a dinner for their cosplay friends and all of a sudden you’re invited. Here are some tips for making the most of the social scene at conventions:

• Don’t be afraid to approach strangers. In my experience, people at conventions have their guard down and are very open to talking to new people and sharing their enthusiasm for all things geeky. Talk to people! Compliment someone on their cosplay, ask where they got their cool fan art in the Artists Alley, follow up on a comment they made during a panel, or strike up a conversation with the person in line next to you.
• Find out who you know is going. If you’ve been to cons before, find out which of your friends in the community will be there. Even if you don’t plan on spending the whole con with them, it’s still worth knowing if they’ll be there, and arranging to meet up, even if only to briefly catch up before going your separate ways. Con friends are a really special type of friend, and the more you run into each other at cons, the more special cons can feel to you knowing you’ll get to hang out again!
• Don’t be afraid to be spontaneous. Say yes to social propositions: Want to take a break, grab bubble tea, and catch up? Sudden phone-camera photoshoot? Come watch the masquerade with me and my master-class cosplay friends? Late night dinner after the con wraps up even though you planned on going home and binge-watching Drag Race? Say yes. Make good choices (duh), but cons are a great time to make memories with friends and strangers alike.
• Exchange socials. If you make new friends at conventions, exchange Instagram handles, Snapchat names, or find each other on Facebook so you can keep in touch and find each other again. This pertains especially if one or both of you are cosplayers or photographers, as they will typically have a social media presence devoted fully or in part to their work. Don’t be shy about getting in touch with any new friends you make at the con – shoot them a message a day or two after the weekend ends with a “hey, nice to meet you, hope you enjoyed the rest of the con” type message!

Photographers

Conventions are a great opportunity to practice your portrait photography, capture some super unique shots, and network with fellow photographers and potential future models/collaborators. These tips aren’t going to be photography tips (though if you’re looking for some you can check these out), and will be assuming you know photography basics and how to handle your equipment.

• Find out where the cosplayers are. Often, conventions will have an area where cosplayers hang out and pose for photographers.
• Always ask permission. DO NOT TAKE SNEAKY PICTURES OF COSPLAYERS. Even if they are perfectly innocent pics of a cool costume, it is considered a major convention no-no to grab a covert picture of a cosplayer. Cosplayers put a lot of time and effort into their costumes and will almost always be willing to pose for a quick picture (or a longer shoot)! I’ve had a lot of incidents of catching people mid-snap, and it’s embarrassing on the part of the photographer (even though it often ends up with a posed photo for them anyway). If the cosplayer is posing for several photographers at once, this is an appropriate time to jump in and grab some shots, but first please make eye contact with the cosplayer and raise your camera. You’ll usually get a nod acknowledging you, and you’re all set!
• Don’t be shy. Rare is it that a cosplayer will approach you to have their picture taken. I’ve never seen it happen in the three years I’ve been attending conventions. If you see a costume that you just have to have a picture of, politely approach the cosplayer and ask if you can take some pictures of them. Most will be excited to pose for you!
• Know when to approach. If the cosplayer looks occupied (is on the phone/texting, deep in conversation, eating or drinking water, etc) wait a minute before approaching them. If they seem occupied for a long period of time, it may be for the best to move on for the moment and try to find them again later.
• Be polite. This should go without saying, but be nice to people. If a cosplayer does not want their photo taken, then respect that. If you ask them for a certain type of pose and they aren’t comfortable with it, don’t push it. Complement their cosplay in a non-creepy way (ie. “your craftsmanship is amazing”/”you have such a creative costume” instead of “wow you look hot”) is a great ice-breaker. After you’ve shot together, say thank you.
• Ask what they are from if you don’t know. It’s a mix of manners and common sense.
• Shoot against a plain background if you’re in the con hall. Your pictures will look better.
• Consider seeking out a more engaging setting for your photos. If you and the cosplayer have a good connection, ask them for an extended shoot either somewhere else in the con hall, or slightly away. Nearby parks for a natural scene, or an alleyway for something grungier and more urban. If they say no, don’t push it, but it’s a good opportunity for more engaging photos than a “con-hall” photo.
• Exchange business cards. If you grabbed a quick shot of a cosplayer, ask if they have a card, or hover a moment after in case they offer you one. Please take it. Offer them one with instructions on how to find the content you’ll be posting from that specific convention. Make sure you tag the cosplayer in your photos when they are posted to social media.

Cosplayers

There are so many tips for cosplayers to keep in mind when attending conventions, but I’ve narrowed it down to the seven most important things I would tell someone attending their first convention in cosplay.

• Bring a handler. A “cosplay handler” is someone who will accompany you to the convention not in cosplay, in order to facilitate your experience. They can carry a bag for you so you don’t have to add one to your costume, they can do crowd/photographer control and pass out business cards, they can help keep your costume safe in tight spaces and crowds. Bring someone who you know will take their role seriously, but also make the day an enjoyable experience for the both of you.
• Bring some supplies. Here’s my go-to list of what to bring when in cosplay: a friend (handler or co-cosplayer), phone (easily accessible for social media use), wallet (easily accessible for shopping/lunch), business cards (easily accessible), mini hair elastics, bobby pins, touch-up makeup (lipstick, eyeliner, concealer, eyelash glue), safety pins, portable phone charger, some snacks (like Cliff Bars). Anything else you can think of that you’ll need is worth bringing!
• Take advantage of the cosplay lounge. They’ve got you covered if anything breaks (hot glue, sewing kits, safety pins, etc. are readily on hand), if you need to reapply makeup or change, or if you just need a place to escape to away from crowds. The volunteers are really nice and willing to help with any issues you may be having. I had a lady literally sew me into my suit when I burst a seam! If you can’t find a cosplay lounge or if your con doesn’t have one, try to find a cosplay medic, a roaming fix-it helper for repairs!
• Be polite. When people approach you, be friendly. (even if you don’t want to be posing for pictures at the moment, you can still refuse tactfully). Thank people for compliments or photos. Compliment other cosplayers! If people want to strike up a conversation with you about your character or the franchise you’re from, don’t be cold to them. They’re excited! However, if someone is treating you in a way that makes you uncomfortable, you don’t need to humor them to avoid being rude. Your comfort and safety come above being accommodating to others.
• Don’t spend the day with an empty stomach. Wanting to avoid bloating on a con day is a real thing, and I know I can get a bit weird with food when there’s a convention coming up. I’ve learned from experience that you should always eat before and during a convention, or you will lose energy during the day, both physically and mentally, and you won’t have as good a time as you could be if you were satiated. Plus, grabbing food with friends is a great social element of the con!
• Have fun. This seems like a lame last point, and a bit of an obvious one for any list, but if you’re taking cosplay seriously, the fun side of a convention can get thrown to the wayside. You shouldn’t prioritize your cosplay over connecting with people, and you shouldn’t let a crisis ruin your day. It can be easy to get into the headspace of a “working day” at a con (where you are there to represent your cosplay and your brand, as a professional or as a hobbyist), but don’t let this overwhelm you. A personal example of this for me would be at FanExpo Canada in 2017: We were shooting with a photographer, and after I had shot and my cosplay partner was wrapping up her own shoot, I asked our handler to toss me my gun. He did. And it snapped clean in half. Shit. This could have ruined my day, as most of my poses were based around holding the gun. However, the gravity of this situation was just so funny. We were all outside the convention centre laughing our heads off. And I could always remake the gun. Embrace the shit that happens to you, as it is usually the most memorable.

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I’m really bad at writing concluding paragraphs so I hope that this post will help anyone who is looking for some convention tips! Just remember that at the end of the day everyone is a big nerd who is excited to be around other big nerds, and that’s the beauty of it. Happy Con Season!