Metrocon Through My Lens

Looking back at years of photographing cosplay, creativity, and the community that brings Metrocon to life.

Metrocon is an annual anime convention held in the summer at the Tampa Convention Center in downtown Tampa, Florida. The event brings together fans of anime, gaming, cosplay, and pop culture for a weekend of panels, performances, contests, shopping, and plenty of creative costumes.

My first trip to Metrocon was in 2022, and photography wasn't really the reason I went. I've never been much of a cosplayer myself, but I was introduced to the community through friends, and attending conventions became something fun we could all do together.

None of us had been to Metrocon before, so we decided to make a weekend out of it in Tampa. We had such a good time that we immediately started talking about returning the following year.

In 2023, I decided to approach things a little differently. I opened bookings for cosplay mini sessions at the convention, something I hadn't officially offered before. I ended up photographing a handful of cosplayers, made more friends, and it was such a fun experience that I wanted to keep doing it.

Four cosplayers pose together in front of black curtains, wearing a green velvet dress, a suit, a black dress and tall boots.

Five smiling cosplayers pose together at a fan convention in front of a colorful wall of anime-style artwork.

Group of cosplayers in blue school uniforms posing with peace signs on a blue-railed outdoor staircase.

Group of smiling friends gather around a picnic table loaded with food and drinks at an outdoor park with palm trees on a sunny day.

Five smiling cosplayers in anime-inspired costumes pose close together for a selfie, flashing peace signs at a convention.

Group of laughing friends gather around a wooden table with a board game, blue water bottles and a soda can during a cozy evening.

Group of cosplayers in colorful anime-inspired costumes posing playfully with peace signs on a brick sidewalk in a sunny city.

Friends swim and wade in calm ocean water at sunset, with a vibrant orange and pink sky glowing over the horizon.

Becoming Press & Finding My Style

I also received my first Metrocon press badge in 2023! My friends Carmen and Alohi, who had more experience applying for convention press credentials as content creators, encouraged me to give it a try. They reminded me that even if you're not guaranteed approval, it's always worth applying. Luckily, all three of us were approved, and I received my credentials as a photographer.

Three young women make playful faces while holding Metrotech press passes and lanyards in a selfie taken indoors at an event.

At the time, my photography was primarily focused on cosplay portraits. I loved finding interesting locations around the convention, working with different characters, and creating images that felt a little more intentional than a typical convention snapshot.

Over the years, I've become increasingly interested in documentary-style photography, too. I've been experimenting with that approach at other events using my Fujifilm X100VI, capturing more candid moments and the atmosphere surrounding them. It's something I'd love to bring into my convention photography more often, alongside the portraits I've always enjoyed taking.

Cosplayer in a red long coat, orange goggles and white angel wings poses with peace signs in front of a Marriott hotel and palm trees.

Group of cosplayers in colorful anime costumes posing together on outdoor steps with palm trees and a sunny building in the background.

Cosplayer with long orange hair, a green bikini top and flared jeans poses with an orange staff beside a wall near palm trees.

Cosplayer in an orange cowboy hat with smiley face emblems, black crop top and arm tattoos leaning on a railing near palm trees.

Young woman with pink hair and a pale yellow knotted shirt sits against a pink tiled wall, reaching one hand toward the camera.

Woman in a blue cropped top and pink wrap skirt leans on a railing beside a waterfront marina with boats and buildings at sunset.

The People Behind the Photos

Some of my favorite memories from Metrocon aren't necessarily about the photos themselves, but the people I've met and the friendships I've built along the way.

Carmen and Alohi have been a big part of that experience from the very beginning. They were both there for my first Metrocon trip in 2022, and we've always been supportive of each other's creative endeavors. They're both TikTok creators with large followings in the cosplay community, known for their character skits, dances, and other fun content they create both together and individually. I've gotten to help photograph them for their social media over the years, and I love that we've been able to encourage and support each other's creativity in different ways.

Two cosplayers stand back to back by a stone wall, one with red hair holding playing cards, the other with long black hair in a green top.

Cosplayer with long pink hair laughs in a dynamic pose, wearing fingerless gloves, a colorful crop top, orange skirt and purple boots.

Smiling woman in a teal top and navy track pants crouches against a pale wall, holding a microphone up near her face.

Two cosplayers in Viking-inspired fantasy costumes sit back to back on a green lawn near trimmed hedges and trees.

A session that particularly stands out was with Sarah M, Sarah S, and Kaitlyn. Sarah M originally reached out to book a mini session with me, and at the time, we were complete strangers. I had no idea that one booking would turn into such wonderful friendships! Since then, I've photographed them at almost every convention we've attended, including Metrocon and Holiday Matsuri.

They've been incredibly kind and supportive of me and my photography over the years, and I'm so grateful that something as simple as a cosplay photoshoot brought us together.

Two cosplayers in traditional Japanese-style costumes with green and purple wigs sit on grass beside a basket of colorful flowers.

Three smiling cosplayers in blue and tan school-style costumes pose together on outdoor stone steps with palm trees in the background.

Smiling person crouching in a blue and white striped jester costume with a floppy pom-pom hat, ruffled collar and clawed gloves.

Two women in colorful handmade crochet costumes with blue and pink wigs pose smiling on a stone balustrade in a sunny garden.

Five cosplayers in colorful Sonic the Hedgehog-inspired costumes pose together on steps while holding a large golden ring.

I've had a similar experience with Maiya, who I also met through a cosplay booking. She's continued to trust me with photographing her cosplays over the years, and it's always such a pleasure getting to work with her again.

One of the most rewarding parts of photography for me is making these connections. I genuinely love taking photos, and I hope the people in front of my camera have just as much fun as I do behind it. Getting to make new friends along the way makes it even better.

Two cosplayers in fantasy costumes, one with blond hair and a fur-trimmed armor cloak, the other with dark hair wielding a sword, outdoors.

Cosplayer with long blue wig and ornate black and purple costume peeks around a stone pillar while holding a blue Nintendo 3DS.

Cosplayer in dark armor, white fur trim and a long black cloak poses beside stone planters and palm trees outside a white building.

Six cosplayers in matching black and purple gold-trimmed costumes with colorful wigs pose together outdoors in front of a white building.

Bringing Characters to Life

One of my favorite things about cosplay photography is finding ways to bring a character's personality and story into the images. Before a session, I like to familiarize myself with the character and their source material, whether that's through researching poses, studying references, or getting a better understanding of their overall aesthetic. I also love collaborating with cosplayers to come up with poses and ideas that feel true to the characters they're portraying.

Of course, photographing at conventions comes with its own challenges. You're working around crowds, unpredictable lighting, and locations that aren't always ideal. I'm pretty particular about composition, so if a background or lighting situation isn't working, I'll find another angle, adjust our positioning, or look for a better spot. I never want to settle for a photograph just because it's convenient!

But as much as I care about the creative and technical side of photography, I care just as much about the experience. The energy someone brings to a session can make a big difference, and I always want the people I'm photographing to feel comfortable and confident. Even if we're photographing a dark or intimidating character, that doesn't mean the session itself has to feel serious!

At the end of the day, cosplay is supposed to be fun. I love keeping things lighthearted, encouraging people to enjoy themselves, and creating photographs they're excited to see afterward.

Two smiling cosplayers in Viking-inspired leather costumes with fur trim pose together outdoors beneath sunlit green trees.

Cosplayer in a teal hooded cloak and cream tunic with a blonde wig holds a black lantern staff among red ixora flowers and green leaves.

Person in a burgundy scarf vest and flowing white outfit strikes a dramatic pose outside a modern glass-domed building on a sunny day.

Why I Keep Coming Back

My relationship with conventions has changed a little over the years. While I don't personally cosplay as much anymore (although I still love putting together character-inspired outfits!), I still really enjoy attending conventions whenever I can. These days, I usually make it to two or three local conventions a year.

I've also found new things to enjoy along the way. I started collecting comic books this year, love hunting for journaling supplies while browsing Artist Alley, and have been making more of an effort to attend panels and contests. Even when a panel doesn't turn out quite how I expected, it's usually still an entertaining experience!

Metrocon in particular has become something I look forward to every year. It's an opportunity to reconnect with friends I don't get to see very often, spend time around people who share similar interests, and find a little creative inspiration along the way.

From a photography perspective, there's also something exciting about returning to a place I only get to photograph once a year. Every convention is a little different, and I always leave with new ideas or things I'd like to try the next time around.

What started as a fun weekend trip with friends has become something I look forward to returning to, both personally and creatively. I'm excited to see how my photography continues to evolve and what I'll capture next time!