Photo shoots have become a popular alternative to the competition catwalk because it gives cosplayers and photographers more creative control and a bigger canvas to work with. Here are some tips for first-time organizers who want to get the best out of their shoots.

Ask for permission beforehand.

For public spaces, you may have to ask for a permit from the local government office, and for private spaces you need a letter of permission from the site owner. Some fees may also be collected to grant permission so be sure you have some petty cash prepared in advance.

Do not attempt to hold a guerilla shoot, because with the conspicuousness of the costumes you will most likely get caught and thrown out of the venue. Not only will you be banned from the location, you will also cause other cosplay groups to be barred from using the site as a result of your irresponsible actions.

Make sure you scout several venues for the shoot.

Some venues may look ideal, but if you are not able to secure permission to use it or if the weather takes a turn for the worse then it will all be pointless. Always have a Plan B — like somebody’s living room that you can use for the shoot in a pinch, and even better a Plan C — like a studio you know you can rent at a moment’s notice.

Have all the equipment you need at hand.

It’s a bit of a stretch to put up a shoot with just a point-and-shoot cam at hand — at the very least have a good DSLR camera, some rudimentary lighting equipment, and a reflector/diffuser set. And no, you don’t have to get professional-level equipment — just improvise! You can use a high-powered flashlight for additional lighting, make make a reflector out of an old box and some tin foil, and use an ordinary white umbrella as a diffuser.

Have fun, but not too much fun.

If you are holding the shoot at a public space a like a park, chances are you will attract a lot of attention. Nevertheless, people will appreciate it if you try to keep the noise down to an acceptable level as well as keep the rowdiness to a minimum. Same goes for private spaces especially those located in residential areas as well as those next to schools, hospitals, and churches.

Clean up after yourselves.

Whether you are at a public park or somebody’s home, it is rude to simply leave a mess when you are done. Always make sure that you clean up after yourselves, by picking up litter and rearranging furniture back to its original state. Just because you are in a costume it does not mean you can forget about basic human courtesies.