Interview with Erik Paredes, Photographer
Erik Paredes is a photographer who has worked with several of my clients. Thanks to him, I get to share some truly awesome photos of costumes I've made.
Photography is such an ever-present part of the cosplay world. So I sat down with Erik to talk about his passion and his work.
Erik's journey
✂ Can you introduce yourself? What do you do? What's your specialty?
I'm Erik Paredes. I've been doing photography for about 6 years now. I pretty much started on a whim… and my specialty right now is mostly cosplay and boudoir.
✂ You say you started on a whim. Did you decide to go study it? Or was it more like "buy a camera and learn on the spot"?
Actually, before that, I studied 3D animation and visual effects (a long, long time ago…). My goal was to work on visual effects for movies.
It all started with Toy Story in 3D. Then you had the superhero movies with all their visual effects… and that really interested me a lot.
So I bought myself a camera to make YouTube videos. But it's hard to do that alone, all of it...
Then I discovered the cosplay world and went to my first convention, just for fun. And I thought, "well, I have a camera… learning photography can't be that complicated…" So I started learning, for about a year. That's how I got into photography.
✂ So you're really self-taught?
Yeah. The internet has everything you need!
✂ Yeah, totally. But having a background in a visual field already, I imagine that helped…
Yes, yes. Photoshop, for one, I already knew a bit from before, for other things…
A photographer's gear
✂ So what do you use as a camera these days?
I have the Sony A7 III. Before that I had the Canon 7D, which was good for both photo and video (that's actually why I bought it).
For lenses I use a lot, there's the 85mm for portraits. It's a great range for faces.
Otherwise, for cosplay, I use my 28-75 a lot. It's really wide and lets you do really dynamic poses. I find that's important for cosplay.
✂ And for editing or post-processing?
It's Photoshop. I also use Lightroom a lot for my catalog, to organize everything. But it's really Photoshop that I use the most.
✂ I know you shoot at conventions, outdoors. But you also shoot in studio. What's the big difference?
I like studio because… say in winter, going outside isn't ideal since costumes often aren't made for winter weather. I do it sometimes, but it's not ideal, especially for the models.
✂ Unless you're cosplaying Mei from Overwatch…
Ah! Right! My girlfriend did that one, and she was like "I'm fine, outside" ha ha!
But also, for lighting, in studio I have a lot more control. I can remove all the natural light from the room. And control all my lights myself. So it's a bit easier.
But what I love about being at a convention or outdoors for a shoot… is the environment. There's a lot more interaction, so it's much easier for the model. They can sit somewhere and become part of the scenery, part of the environment.
It's more intimidating in studio...
It's often just the model and me… and my big lights. Plus my soft-boxes are huge. I think models can get a bit more nervous in studio.
When you're outside, people can focus on something other than… me.
Tips for models
✂ You mentioned it can be a bit intimidating in studio. Do you have tricks to put your models at ease?
Yes. While I'm doing my lighting tests, I often have them make faces. We say silly things… It relaxes them a bit more.
✂ But you have such a zen energy, that must help too...
Yeah… But you can still see a difference between someone with experience and someone without. So, anything I can do to make them more comfortable…
Sometimes their friends are there. So they can goof around with each other. That relaxes them more.
When they're a bit more stiff, that's when we start joking around, I talk a bit, they make faces. And I show them the photo: "look at your face, that's actually really funny."
✂ Getting the model involved in your own process, that must help.
Yes, exactly.
✂ Do you have tips for models? How to look more natural?
Practice your poses in front of a mirror.
Because in your head, you're doing a pose. But what I see isn't the same thing. So you often have to exaggerate your pose, exaggerate your expression.
If you want a dynamic pose, you really need to open up a lot.
✂ So basically, don't be shy about exaggerating?
Exactly.
✂ Do you have any tricks for bringing out a character's personality?
That depends on the character. Say, take Naruto… that's a character with a lot of energy, jumping around, yelling. At a convention, that can feel embarrassing for the person.
But other characters are really shy… so your photo can look really simple, with a really simple pose. But that's part of the character. So don't be afraid to be more low-key too.
I've photographed people who were actually yelling at conventions. Ha! Ha! It draws attention, but it really brings out the character. And the photo ends up even better because of it. Because, you know, opening your mouth and yelling, that's different… and it shows in the photo.
You've got to just go for it!
✂ I'm guessing the ideal is to create a kind of build-up? Start with more natural poses, and gradually work your way toward the more intense ones…
That's it. Exactly. Unless the person has a lot of experience… but for newcomers, yes. We'll start with more normal portraits… and then move into more action shots after that.
After a few photos, they're more at ease.
The process
✂ When you have a cosplay client with a specific character, do you research the character to get a feel for it? Or do you go more by what the client wants?
A bit of both. I really like when the client brings pose ideas. It makes them more comfortable when it's their idea first.
I don't want to take control of the situation, and take the fun out of it. I like it when people bring their own ideas.
Do whatever you want. But if you're out of ideas, that's when I'll start stepping in and suggesting things.
✂ So what's the process from the moment someone books an appointment with you? Whether it's at a convention or in studio.
I try to keep it as simple as possible:
Send me reference photos, say you have poses in mind that you want to do. Characters often have a lot of different costumes, so show me which one you're doing. I also like knowing the title of the game or the anime (if I don't already know it), so I can go watch videos and see the character in action (not just photos). That helps me a lot. After that, we meet up… and we take the photos. That's it, really.
After the shoot, I send a gallery with all the photos, and the client makes the selection.
Because often, people will love themselves in one particular photo. Or they'll notice little details about themselves they don't like. And I don't necessarily know that… so I don't want to choose for them.
I like it when people tell me ahead of time. What they like less or more about themselves. That way, I adjust my focus.
✂ Especially for boudoir, I imagine. It must be really important to focus on what the person wants to highlight…
Exactly.
Also, I never change people's bodies (unless asked to). I keep them as natural as possible.
✂ So your retouching is really about tones, mood…
Exactly. Or special effects…
But I won't change the shape of the person. Especially in cosplay. Cosplayers really like more natural-looking photos.
Shooting at conventions
✂ At conventions, there are photographers who wander around taking photos. But you book appointments with your clients.
Yes, that's right.
✂ In that case, how do you find your spots? Do you already have a good idea of where to go? How do you handle that?
Often, I go ahead of time to scout out good spots.
Actually, I made a video with Emilie Gauvin that we posted on YouTube, about all the spots around the Palais des Congrès. We took a whole day and explored the spots we know.
Otherwise, you can also ask other photographers. But sometimes some of them want to keep their spots secret… not me. Come see my spots. Ha! Ha!
Even cosplayers do their own research… and they'll tell me, "for my costume, I think it'll work well with this backdrop, so I'd like to go there."
✂ So it's really a back-and-forth…
Yes. Especially when I'm going to a new convention I've never been to, outside Montreal… where I don't know the spots at all. I'll ask a local cosplayer.
But often at conventions, I arrive a day early. And I walk around a bit to explore.
✂ And do you try to find spots more outdoors, for natural light? Or are you more indoors, at the convention?
It depends on the convention.
Some are in a building with just a parking lot around it. So outside isn't very pretty. But sometimes even with a small park, a few little trees… with the right angle, you can get beautiful photos.
I like both.
When the weather's nice, outside is great. But when the sun is really strong it can damage the costumes... so you have to be careful with that.
And with the sun really high up, it's not very pretty either. You want to find shaded spots…
I remember, we were at AnimeNorth. It was so hot that all the Worbla costumes were starting to soften up and peel off. "Okay, let's go inside, cool off a bit…"
(psst! That's part of why I don't use much Worbla)
I love natural light. When the sun is low. Or when it's cloudy. It's beautiful! And no need to set up lighting. You just take your photos, that's it.
✂ And indoors, do you bring in spotlights with tripods and all that?
Well, we have small portable flashes and tripods.
And my girlfriend is with me to help move things around or hold flashes when we're not allowed to set up a tripod.
✂ Ah right, because there are places where you can't use a tripod, that's true.
Yep. And you have to be careful. Because say, if you're in the Old Port of Montreal, technically, you're not allowed to take photos there.
We got kicked out at one point. You have to pay (for a permit). We were in the Old Port parking lot… nothing dramatic. But security came and said "nope! you need to leave."
✂ Definitely something to keep in mind!
When you're working with natural light, you've got less gear to lug around. It's nice. And it's easier to do a quick shoot before you get caught… Ha! Ha!
Advice for aspiring photographers
✂ For someone who wants to get started in this — you mentioned your A7 III, which is definitely not entry-level. But for someone who wants to try it out a bit, are there any models you'd particularly recommend?
I've never tried it myself, but Canon has the Rebel line, which is often cheaper (in the $200-300 range). And apparently it's good quality. I'd say start there. Don't jump straight into the $1000+ cameras. You don't know yet if you're going to like it…
I only switched because my Canon was old. It was about 10 years old, starting to get slow… I knew I needed a new one. Plus, I was heading to Poland for a convention. I decided to bring a new camera just in case.
✂ What about the rest of the gear?
I'd say, start with just a camera. And go outside. The sun is a great light source. And even when it's too sunny, go into the shade… You have everything you need to get started.
✂ On the team side, you mentioned your girlfriend holding flashes earlier… having someone to help you out must be practical?
Yes. Having someone around, just in case, helps a lot. It takes off the stress.
And as a guy, having a woman as an assistant helps put models at ease — some girls feel more comfortable with a woman around when a guy is taking the photos. So when I'm the one shooting, my girlfriend is often there to help.
It also gives a second point of view. My eye is in the camera, checking the lighting and everything… but I don't always catch the small costume details that shifted. She's the one who'll say "watch out" and adjust it.
✂ Any tips on editing? Special effects? Advice for people starting out?
I'd say… go on YouTube.
A YouTube channel I really like is Phlearn (like Photoshop + Learn), and it covers a lot of that: special effects, compositing…
And there are tons of photographers on YouTube who explain how they edit.
If there's a style you like, look for a photographer who makes videos in that style.
I learned a lot from the internet myself. There are a lot of photographers making tutorials. Some even sell tutorials.
You don't need to go to school for it. Ha! Ha!
…But it helps too, honestly. My girlfriend went to school. She has her degree in photography. So we bring two different perspectives, and we help each other out.
✂ Any other advice? What to do, what not to do?
I'd say start with your friends.
Don't start charging money right away just because that's what others do. Practice with your friends, or go walk around a convention in the Hall Viger and take photos.
Practice.
Everyone has friends, family. Take photos.
Practice.
You need to be comfortable with your camera. You can't be too stuck staring at your camera during a shoot.
Final words
✂ What do you love most about your job?
There are a lot of things.
I love special effects. It lets me explore things you wouldn't normally do. With cosplay, I get to explore compositing, adding 3D elements, completely changing someone's skin, for example.
I also love that most of my friends now are people I've photographed. That's just what the cosplay world brings. The friendships I have now, that's thanks to photography.
✂ And what do you like the least?
I'd say… the places I'd most love to shoot in are inaccessible. Because I can't afford the rights to all those locations.
When I went to Poland, they had made a deal with the city's mayor that gave access to a bunch of locations. I went to waterfalls, to a castle…
I'd love for that to happen in Montreal. For the city to open its doors. Because there are so many beautiful spots in Montreal and around it — hotels, gorgeous places. But we're just not allowed…
✂ The geeky question to wrap up: your favorite geeky universe?
Ooof… I'm a guy of many things. I'm someone who loves fantasy, stuff that isn't too realistic.
✂ What are you into right now?
I'm on a vampire kick: Hellsing, Castlevania…
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A huge thank you to Erik for this conversation and all his great advice. If you want to see what he's up to, you can follow him on Facebook or on Instagram.
To check out his portfolio or book a session, visit his site: erikparedesphotography.com
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Until then,
Happy sewing! Happy crafting! 🤓✂🐙