Suriviving conventions as a cosplayer takes common sense and a little know-how.

As 2009’s convention season kicks off, everyone is dusting off their costumes, charging camera batteries, and getting ready for another year full of fun and geeky shenanigans. As you don your costume or load your memory card in the camera, you should probably be reminded (or enlightened) that there is a certain set of unspoken rules of geeky etiquette when it comes to the cosplay quotient of your convention experience.

Whether you’re the one in costume or a fan in awe of your hero supposedly facing you in the flesh, you should be aware that within this unique social setting there are special rules of etiquette. Most is what one would hope to be common sense, but those who are new to the experience may not be aware that some things are considered acceptable while others are completely not.

A lot of these rules are laid out in the convention program books, as there are many situations unique to conventions that anyone new to the experience may be unaware of. Then there are others who simply need a firm reminder. All of these rules and other unspoken manners apply to attendees both in and out of costume.

Asked politely, cosplayers generally don't mind hugs when executed with restraint.

Any cosplayer will agree that probably the number one most annoying thing about conventions is “glomping.” The term “glomping” means “to hug with enthusiasm” and generally involves one party launching themselves, sometimes violently, onto another—sometimes without warning like a football tackle. It has become a growing problem, as these acts often lead to injuries and a general disturbance to other attendees. Many conventions have explicitly outlawed the act. That’s not to say people still get away with it. Many times, it’s a cosplayer being glomped by a fan. Others, it could be another cosplayer. It’s almost always never welcomed and can very easily damage costumes, not to mention cause injuries.

Cosplayers understand, accept, and sometimes even expect other people to “fangirl” or “fanboy” them. There’s a certain social dynamic at conventions that seems to break some fans out of their shells and they feel compelled to show their enthusiasm for their favorite characters more intensely than others. Instead of glomping, it is much more preferred that if a fan feels so inclined, politely asking for a hug is usually acceptable. The key here is asking. A surprise hug can be just as unwelcome as glomping. If given permission, make it brief and gentle. Squeeze too hard and not only will you be pushing personal space boundaries but you could also damage the costume.

One social condition cosplayers should take note of is how their costume appears in public. Costumes with large wings or other limbs/props can be a hassle to walk around with in crowded halls, both for the cosplayer and the other attendees. Some conventions have actually banned these types of costumes if not from the con, then from event and dealer rooms. Another thing to consider is whether or not your costume is simply appropriate for the average crowd around you. A lot of conventions are family-friendly, and that means keeping things no worse than PG-13. For example, at Dragon*con in Atlanta, GA, it is generally accepted that adult-oriented costumes are worn late at night when most kids are in bed. A lot of adults don’t particularly like to see a man’s rear end in full view peeking out of a Spandex open-backed leotard, either.

Personal hygiene is not something one should be reminded about, but especially for cosplayers, it is one of the most important things you should be aware of. Costumes can be hot and awkward, causing a lot of sweating. Make sure you’re wearing plenty of deodorant, and reapply as often as necessary. When wearing the same costume more than one day, make sure if you’re not completely washing it, that you’re at least airing it out with a healthy dose of Febreeze. Personally, I like to choose scents representative of each character I’m wearing. Not only does it keep out the funk, but it makes the effect of my costume more complete on another level. Don’t go overboard, though. Con-funk is not limited strictly to the fanboys locked in the gaming room!

Cosplay photography is one of the biggest activities at conventions and has its own set of rules.

Perhaps the most enjoyed activity of cosplay is taking photos and having photos taken of you. It is probably the most common form of interaction between fans and cosplayers. As such, there is a whole set of expected etiquette from both sides of the camera which, when forgotten, becomes a bad experience for everyone involved and even surrounding you.

As a cosplayer, it is generally expected that if you’re asked for a photo, you need to step off to the side or to an area where you will not block traffic or cause an inconvenience for others. There is nothing more annoying that being stuck in a single-file line through a crowd, only to be stopped short because the cosplayer in front of you is posing for a photo. And if that person’s costume is popular, chances are you’re going to be there a while. It is also frowned upon to pose in any of the program, gallery, or dealer rooms when you’re blocking someone’s way. If the photographer wants a photo badly enough, they should be willing to wait the few moments it takes for you to find a place off to the side and out of the way. If your costume is well-made and/or popular, chances are once one flash goes off, several more will follow and you’ll be stuck there for a while. It’s all part of the role.

The same rule applies to cosplayers who are staging a scene, fighting mock battles, or doing anything that involves a lot of space and a need to yell at the top of your lungs. Go do it outside in an open field or someplace else away from the main convention space.

If you’re in a hurry and asked for a photo, or taking a break, or doing anything else when you don’t feel like posing, it should be expected that you remain polite in your decline. Personally, I tell people where I plan to be later so that, if they really want a shot that bad, they can catch me when I’m ready to pose. No one likes a rude reply smacked in their face. On the flipside, photographers should have some degree of perception about them to be able to tell when a cosplayer is seemingly “off-duty.” If the cosplayer is hurrying somewhere, half out of their costume, and/or eating, resting, etc. chances are they’re not open to photos at the moment. There’s no harm in politely asking, though, if they mind you taking a quick photo. I know myself personally, if asked politely enough, and if it’s not too much trouble, I’m willing to get back into all my pieces to pose for you.

Cosplayers at rest or otherwise busy should generally be caught for a photo later when they are ready for it.

A lot of new people to conventions seem to feel embarrassed, or that it’s not acceptable, to ask for photographs of cosplayers. Most, if not all cosplayers, are in costume simply for that reason—to be photographed. They want you to take their photo. Still, as a photographer, you should be aware of some common sense and maybe be clued in to the accepted way of how to go about photographing people at conventions.

The number one course of action is to simply be polite. “Please” and “thank you” makes the experience smooth and enjoyable. Considering aforementioned conditions, all you need to do is approach a cosplayer and ask for a photo. Make sure you’re not going to bump into someone, quickly take your shot once you’ve seen the person take their position, and say “thank you.” That’s really it. Some photographers like to take a few shots and some may ask for different poses. If done quickly, this is usually acceptable, but it really depends on the individual cosplayer. It really does a lot to ask ahead of time if you can do this.

Some photographers, especially in today’s digital age, like to offer the cosplayer a view of the photo on their camera. A surprising amount of cosplayers tend to find this annoying, although personally I see nothing wrong with it and simply another act of politeness. Perhaps these individuals are in a hurry, in which case, the photographer should be able to observe, hopefully, and move on. It is much more preferred and anticipated that the photos you take end up online somewhere so they can find it later after the convention. If you’re a regular photographer whose purpose is to photograph the con and post it to a website, handing out business cards is great but most often they get lost or forgotten. Posting links at popular forums like www.cosplay.com is usually the most preferred and best way of viewing photos.

It is sometimes considered impolite to take a photograph of a cosplayer without them being aware of it, primarily in a setting when you have no excuse not to ask permission first. Walking by and snapping a quick shot not only robs you of a good view and a pose, but it’s just plain rude. Cosplayers generally don’t like to see photos of themselves later with bizarre expressions, food half-stuffed in their mouths, or just basically looking unremarkable.

Everything I’ve covered is simply the most basic of the noted and unspoken rules pertaining to cosplayers and fans at conventions. All attendees should make sure to read their program books and actually follow the rules. They’re there for a reason, after all.

Related Posts:

• Dragon*con 2009: Recap
• Dragon*con 2009: Thriller World Record Attempt
• Dragon*Con 2009: 8th Annual Parade
• Anime Festival Orlando 2009
• Cosplay Breakdown: Sewing Machines