Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik Wuesthoff.
Hi Erik, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been shooting photography my whole life and got my professional training in Hawaii in 2014. I did freelance photography on the side for a few years after – mostly family portraits and business headshots – until I moved to Baltimore in 2017.
I happened to be working across the street from Baltimore Comic-Con that year, where I decided to go shoot some photos of cosplayers. After that experience, I decided I would rather pursue working with cosplayers – who are creative artists themselves and therefore more fun to collaborate with – as opposed to the more “normal” work I had been doing previously, which was honestly starting to burn me out.
Shooting cosplay took over more of my life and became more sustainable than I ever imagined! I have used conventions, where I offer paid shoots, and free meetups (often organized by my good friend Hazel) to develop new connections which often develop into friendships and frequent collaborations. During most of 2020, where all conventions and large events were shut down, I was still able to keep busy with one-on-one shoots, thanks to some of the connections I made at conventions.
Overall, I still consider myself a very small creator, especially compared to many of my peers in the cosplay photography world, but I am proud of the progress I have made and would not trade my place in the community for anything.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall I consider my time as a cosplay photographer to have gone smoothly. The biggest challenges I personally face mostly happen at Katsucon, which is the biggest, most crowded convention I shoot at every year! It’s so big and photogenic that dozens of photographers are shooting cosplayers in every corner – practically on top of each other, and some can be more or less territorial over the space they are working in.
As someone who just wants to keep a low profile, be on good terms with everyone, and have a lighthearted shoot for my clients, it can often be hard to find locations without bumping shoulders with other people with the same goal.
Unfortunately too, there have been times I have had to move on completely from collaborating with certain people I had previously enjoyed working with. I pride myself in being all-inclusive, so I never want to have to say no to someone, but there have been some (fortunately not many) cases where I didn’t feel my time was valued as a person, or I found out someone had hurt someone else in the community and went against my morals, so I have had to move on from them.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a photographer who specializes in fantasy and cosplay portraits. In the cosplay world, people want to be seen and valued. When a cosplayer dresses up as their favorite character, they are making an active choice to become something they think is cool, and often need a boost in confidence or an escape from the more mundane parts of life, so it is my job to make them feel valued as both a person and artist and to give them photos which make them think “oh wow, I DO look good!”
Unfortunately, many cosplay photographers are super selective with who they work with, or often deliver photos super late months after their shoots, which can be damaging or discouraging for a cosplayer who has worked hard. I make sure to always be open to work with anyone who asks, and super reliable and quick with editing and delivering photos.
I work with cosplayers of all genders, races, body types, ages, and experience levels and almost never turn down a photo shoot request. I believe cosplayers find me to be safe and reliable, and it is my goal to always be that way no matter how many connections I make.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Delivering a completed photoshoot and seeing the recipient excited over their photos is the ultimate joy for me. Especially with new cosplayers who have never shot professionally before! Cool photos are always super rewarding, but the emotional aspect of making someone feel good about themselves through the photos has been my whole mentality the whole time, so finding out my photos made an impact like that is the true sign of a job well done.
Pricing:
- Personal one-on-one shoots start at $150
Contact Info:
- Email: erikwuesthoff@gmail.com
- Website: erikwphotography.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/erikwphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erikwphotography/
Image Credits
Carnage Gwen
