#like is she wearing that tiara for a Reason or is she just cosplaying as an adventurer

[robotslenderman]

BG3 looks great but somehow the characters look like cosplayers in a way I've never seen in other game characters

[the-empress-7]

My completely made-up tin-hat theory about the aquamarine ring is this -

Meghan was lent that aquamarine ring for her reception as something of Harry's mum (Diana) to wear for the big day, and also a sweet nod to something blue. I think William may have had a hand in this decision and it was mainly something nice he did for his brother. Meghan and her PR then ran with it and said she inherited the ring as Harry's wife. The products cycle around that was massive and may have put William and the BRF on high alert with the way Meghan was claiming to now own that ring. There may have been some difficulties getting that ring back from Meghan after that.

I've thought this because very soon after this, during the aus tour, there was an article (in the Times maybe?) that said William had banned Meghan from ever borrowing any BRF jewels. At the time I thought what was this decision based on? Apart from the wedding tiara Meghan had not been lent any other BRF jewels, except for Diana's aquamarine ring. So was there maybe some problem in getting that back from her?

Then she wore the blood diamond earings and made a big deal about how she owns them. And she wore them twice just to make a statement. So who was she making this statement for? The public didn't know the full story then. The staff didn't even know she was going to wear these, so why would she have travelled with those earings all the way to Australia? My guess was that she was showing the middle finger to whoever had said no to loaning her BRF or Diana jewels.

My guess is that because of Williams' position and him being the eldest son all her estate was inherited by William and not infact divided 50/50. When he turned 30, his sisters and brother (who had probably been the caretakers and keeping it at althorp) gave it to him.

Sometimes last year, karen Spencer said as much in her comments section on insta on a Diana related post.

Because of the provenance of her jewellery, it may have gone in bulkto William as part of the estate (ie , inheritance). Harry may have just inherited the money and trust fund. And some smaller keepsakes for sentimental reasons. He likely did not mind this earlier, but Meghan, once she got to know, took offence. But neither of them would say anything against the Spencers and what is likely a perfectly legally binding inheritance situation. .

Talk about stories that are a blast from the past! I think your aquamarine ring theory is pretty solid. If we know anything about Meghan, it's that if you give her an inch she will take a mile.

I do think William banning her from borrowing royal jewelry had to do with Tiara Gate and the appalling way she and Harry treated everyone as a result of it. Also remember that things went south very quickly after the wedding. By the time the Sucks left for ANZ, William had already started the process of kicking them out of the Royal Foundation. The stuff that we the public know, is just the tip of the iceberg.

If Meghan really did still have some of Diana's jewelry in her possession there is no way in hell that she wouldn't be wearing it all the damn time. Instead she is left cosplaying her outfits.

[ronaldanthony4]

I’ve done it again, another digital art piece fresh from the depths of my imagination, or more accurately, from the ever-growing visual journal of my ideal romantic fantasies. This time, it’s a little different. Well, not too different, because it’s Liliana Oleander yet again. But this version of her? It’s a younger one—a more innocent, delicate interpretation of her beauty. She’s cosplaying as a ballerina fairy, and I must say, the transformation suits her quite well. Liliana, always the beloved sweetheart of Arlon, now appears as if she’s just a kid, just approaching the gates of adolescence, around her 8th to 10th year. And yes, I chose that depiction for a reason.

Liliana has been a central figure in my art for as long as I can remember, ever since I first dreamed up the image of her and Arlon together, as these eternal mascots of what I think of as ideal romantic love. A love that grows, and changes, but always remains pure. She and Arlon are more than just characters to me—they embody the love I hold deep within myself, a love that is nurturing, soft, and completely unbreakable. But here, in this specific piece, I wanted to explore a different side of her. Not the mature, sophisticated Liliana I often paint, but a more youthful version. Her childlike charm radiates innocence.

To start, the inspiration came from a video I was watching—a simple tutorial on drawing postures and movement in dance. One of the postures caught my eye, the delicate grace of it, the way the figure seemed to float on its toes with perfect balance. I thought, “This is something Liliana would do.” The way her character embodies such lightness, such quiet elegance, I couldn’t imagine anyone else for this pose. So, there I was, sketching it out, shaping it into her image, blending her features into this new form until suddenly, it clicked—Liliana as a fairy. That’s the key. And from there, the art practically created itself.

In this piece, Liliana wears a tiara made of silver, simple yet regal, with a tiny crown that doesn’t dominate her head but enhances her youth and grace. She is beaming, a sweet smile lighting up her face, her large blue eyes wide with wonder. The joy in her expression is so pure, so real, I almost feel like I captured a moment of real happiness, frozen in time. It’s not the mature smile I’m used to drawing, the one she wears when she’s side by side with Arlon in their later years. No, this smile is innocent, carefree, like she hasn’t a worry in the world. She’s just a kid in this artwork, exploring the fantasy world she finds herself in.

Her long, flowing brown hair falls in soft curls down her back, a cascade of gentle waves that frame her face. It’s looser here than in her usual depictions. Typically, I’d style her hair in more elaborate ways to reflect her maturity and elegance. But for this artwork, I wanted to keep it simple and playful. The curls seem to dance with her, as though the very movement of her body brings them to life. It’s as though each strand is a part of her joyful expression, each bounce of her curls adding to the lightness of her being.

Her fairy wings are transparent, iridescent with soft whites, shimmering as they catch the light from every angle. They’re delicate, almost fragile, as though made of the finest glass. Yet they seem so natural to her as if she was born with them. They sparkle gently, like the glint of sunlight on the morning dew, capturing the magical essence of a fairy. I didn’t want the wings to overshadow her; they were there to support her youthful elegance, to frame her more than anything else.

Her outfit is where the cosplaying aspect comes in. She’s wearing a tutu-like minidress, pure white with a glittering, almost ethereal quality. The fabric sparkles as if woven from stardust, each tiny shimmer adding to the magical theme of the artwork. The tutu flares out slightly, but it doesn’t overpower her small frame. It’s playful, yet still elegant—a fitting balance for someone just on the verge of growing up. There’s something about the purity of white that I felt matched her age in this piece—an untouched, untainted innocence that suits her perfectly.

Now, about her pose, that’s where things got interesting. I remember watching that video, where the kid wearing a fairy costume is making circles in the air using her wand It was this pose that sparked the entire concept. Liliana here is balanced on her tiptoes, with one leg raised slightly behind her, arms lifted in a delicate gesture as if she’s about to sprinkle some magical fairy dust. In her hand, she holds a small, sparkling wand, topped with a silver star. You can almost see the trails of magic as she waves it gently in the air, the twinkling dust spiralling in a whimsical pattern around her.

The background was a little tricky to decide on. I wanted something that would complement her light, airy pose but wouldn’t distract from her. In the end, I settled on a vibrant garden scene. Bright flowers of all colours bloom in the distance, their soft petals blurring slightly to keep the focus on Liliana. The grass beneath her feet is lush and green, the perfect soft cushion for her delicate steps. Beyond the flowers, trees rise in soft greens and blues, fading into the distance as the sky above glows in a rich gradient of blue. It feels like a world pulled from a fairy tale, a world where Liliana truly belongs.

What I love most about this piece is how it shows Liliana in a different light. Most of the time, when I create art of her and Arlon, it’s all about their deep connection, their unwavering love, and the way they grow together. But here, it’s just Liliana. It’s a glimpse of who she was before she and Arlon became the inseparable duo they are now. There’s something really special about capturing her at this stage, just before she starts growing into the woman I usually depict her as. It feels like a snapshot of a moment that’s often overlooked—those fleeting years between childhood and adulthood, where everything is still possible, and the world is still full of wonder.

This artwork was more of a study than anything else. A study of posture, yes, but also a study of innocence, of youth, and of how even the most idealised characters can have a history that shapes who they become. It’s not something I do often, to go back and look at Liliana’s youth like this. Most of the time, I’m more focused on her future, on what she represents in the context of romantic love and maturity. But every once in a while, it’s nice to take a step back and remember that she, too, had a childhood, that there were moments in her life where she was just a kid, playing make-believe, not yet burdened by the complexities of adult life or love.

I suppose that’s what drew me to this project in the first place—the simplicity of it. I didn’t have to think about the deeper meanings of love or the intricate dynamics of her relationship with Arlon. It was just about creating something beautiful, something light, and something that captured a moment of pure, unfiltered joy. And in the end, I think that’s what art is really about. It’s about capturing those fleeting moments, those emotions that are often too big for words. In this case, it’s the joy of being young, of playing dress-up, and of imagining a world where magic exists.

As I step back and look at the finished piece, I can’t help but smile. Liliana, my Liliana, looks so happy here. It’s a side of her I don’t often explore, but one that I’m glad I did. She’s not just the romantic icon I’ve built her up to be. She’s a person, with a history, with memories, with moments like this where she’s just a kid, lost in the magic of her imagination. And isn’t that what we all need sometimes? A reminder that even in our adult lives, there’s still a part of us that remembers what it was like to believe in fairies.

In conclusion, creating this artwork was more than just practising a posture I saw in a video—it was about revisiting a part of Liliana that I hadn’t touched on before. It was about capturing her innocence, her youth, and the joy that comes with it. It’s a reminder that even the most idealised characters have layers and that they grow and change just like we do. And for me, as an artist, it’s a chance to explore those layers, to dig a little deeper, and to remember that sometimes, the simplest moments are the most magical.

[thatguythatdrawsalot]

Weiss Schnee Atlas Redesign 1.0

Below the cut is just my general thinking process I had when redesigning Weiss for her adventure in Atlas.

Primary Color: White ((Team RWBY’s colors must be included too))

Environment: Cold

Her clothes have to be combat orientated and in match with her style, more importantly, it must be theoretically and/or easy to cosplay. 

The animators must also have an easy time animating them in their attire.

Red is symbolic yet not symbolic to the Schnee’s but with Weiss, it’s the most confusing for me to figure out, not even the RWBY color theory could help me out. I thought red for the Schnee’s symbolized freedom but if that’s the case why is Jacques wearing red? And when Whitley was ‘redeemed’ for doing nothing wrong why didn’t he get an outfit change with red in his color palette? Why isn’t Winter wearing more red? I didn’t want to grasp at straws in red meaning differently for the Schnee’s so just know there’s a reason for the lack of red on Weiss. I just don’t know what red means to her other than being a pop of color to her I think… thought it would mean something when Weiss had a red scarf like her grandad but NAH NOTHING!!!!

As for the pale blues, I know some people put her in dark blues since it’s a way to show her distancing herself from the Schnee family like Jacques, Willow, and Whitley since they wear pale blues but like Weiss isn’t trying to distance herself from her family, she’s trying to bring back honor to the family name as a Schnee so..??? Makes more sense Winter wears dark blue than Weiss.

Now before the controversies begin, Weiss is NOT wearing any real animal fur on her coat/shoes it’s fake, I gotta remember Faunus’ live in Remnant so they need to dress in the world they’re in whether it’s dust or fake fur to not insult the Faunus. I would really like RT to explore concepts like these, seriously. However, the new inside joke is from Weiss being an ice queen to now a snow ferret.

Another controversy… the tiara is gone. I love the idea of her no longer wearing her little princess tiara when saving the world so now she gets a hairpin of an apple. Why an apple? Because Ruby and Yang picked it out for her. Cute and silly-looking. I also just wanted the ‘poison apple’ part from her allusion to just come out. I’m tired of grasping at straws in the ‘poison apple’ being Weiss’ family or her behavior in Volume 1. I’m tired of theorizing Tyrian is the ‘poison apple’ in one day harming Weiss even though it’s clear that the writers have no interest in expanding the rivalry with the villains and heroes, it’s just some vague one-sided dynamic or just a lackluster missed potential mess!

I gave Weiss an ankle bracelet that has her emblem… a little foreshadowing of how Weiss’ family has her chained down in Atlas and just how much responsibility of restoring the family name means to her, yet in some way, it’s also a burden to do. Here I am with my headcanons and even grasping at straws myself! 

Short hair just also makes better sense for Weiss, the gigantic long hair is easy for anyone to grab, she’s trimming it short and has her same silhouette but just a small side ponytail.

The locket returns! It, of course, contains a photo of her friends so Team RWBY… and ORNJ cause they’re around and she pretends to be their friends at some moments even when the show is bad at showing these kids are actual friends at all towards ORNJ.

[dragracereviews]

My Ultimate Top 10 Favorite Drag Race Queens

#10 - Kameron Michaels: NGL, Kameron is partially on this list because I would fuck her in a heartbeat. I actually plan on making a list later of queens I would sleep with in and/or out of drag and you will definitely find Miss Michaels high on there. I’ve seen her live on the Werq the World tour and I 100% regret not getting Meet and Greet though I probably would’ve just drooled on her and made a fool of myself so maybe it’s better that I didn’t. It’s a known fact that Kameron is an incredible lip syncer (if you haven’t watched season 10, please do so just to see her in action because honestly, she’s one of the few good things about that season) and she did NOT disappoint. Her dancing was only beat out by Vanjie who you may or may not see later on this list. Kameron if you’re out there reading this (LOL, we all know she isn’t) and you ever feel like experimenting with an actual biological woman, hit me up!

#9 - Sharon Needles: And here we have another attractive man out of drag! Sharon was the OG underdog and while I’m not going to sit here and bash Phi Phi O’Hara because she’s actually talented AF (checkout her Harry Potter cosplay, it’s soooo good), Sharon definitely didn’t deserve all the shade thrown at her on season 4. Her drag aesthetic has always been equals parts spooky and equal parts fabulous, but she’s actually improved over the years and it’s made me love her even more. My favorite Sharon moment ever is during a “Queens Reading Mean Comments” video on WOWPresents’ Youtube channel where someone said they liked her old teeth better and she just goes, “Well my old teeth just looked ridiculous with my new lips!” Get ‘em, girl.

#8 - Jinkx Monsoon: I want Jinkx to be my mom. There, I said it. Also, if you don’t get that reference, get your shit together and subscribe to WOW Presents on Youtube you fucking bumpkin. Jinkx was the loveable weirdo on her season and received a lot of hate from her fellow queens but I loved her from the start. I have since forgiven Roxxxy Andrews for her cattiness because of her rudemption on All Stars 2 (insert her Read U Wrote U verse here) but nothing was more satisfying than watching Jinkx go from the underdog to America’s Next Drag Superstar. I don’t know what’s more iconic; her tendency to fall asleep at inopportune times, her laugh, or all the jokes about her being a full blown swamp witch. Either way, it will always be Monsoon season in my eyes.

#7 - Nina West: Hands down, the DEFINITION of Miss Congeniality! This choice was so obvious, I don’t even know why they took a vote. I think that even if they left it up to the fans, it would’ve been her. I fucking LOVE Nina. I’ve actually met her IRL and my first thoughts were 1: she’s HUGE (hello, she’s a six foot tall man in like 6 inch heels and I’m barely over five feet) and 2. she just radiates happiness! She is the only queen I’ve met that asked me my name (though shout out to Plastique Tiara for calling me gorgeous as if she’s not the most beautiful creature on the planet) and she didn’t make me feel like an idiot when I just stared at her adoringly and just word vomited “you’remyfavoriteiloveyousomuch”. Class act people!

#6 - Bianca del Rio: Do I even need an explanation for this one? Hands down, the undisputed winner of season 6, and that’s coming from a die-hard ***** fan (see entry #2). Did she wear the same silhouette 10+ times? Yes. Can she kind of be a bitch sometimes? Definitely. But is she the funniest fucking person alive? Probably! My love for Bianca is infinite but I still wouldn’t want her to read me, at least not in person. Actually, scratch that, I’ve seen her Twitter feed and getting read online is almost worse. I fucking love Hurricane Bianca and the sequel even though it’s one of those so-bad-it’s-good type of film series. I sadly missed her last tour because it was the same night as Sasha Velour’s Smoke & Mirrors show and as amazing as Sasha was, my heart was broken that I couldn’t go to both. But you better believe the next time she’s in town, I’m forking out lots of $$ for VIP and I may or may not faint at Bianca’s feet #noregrets

#5 - Vanessa Vanjie Matteo: Mother. Fucking. Vanjie. OKAY, I’ve met this bitch IRL and let me tell you, she is the cutest fucking thing. Like Nina, it shocked me how apparent it is that she’s a man (square jaw, hello?) but she can still paint for filth and look fishy AF even with her boyish features. Also, AMAZING performer! I waited 3 hours after the M&G for her to actually come on stage and perform only two songs (that’s a story for another day) but let me tell you, it was worth the fucking wait. I showered that bitch with Canadian monopoly money and I would’ve given her more if I wasn’t such a broke millennial. And to top the whole night off, I got woken up at 5 am to my friend screaming because Vanjie had reposted my photo in her story so I was essentially Instagram famous for all of like, a day. Thanks girl xo

#4 - Bendelacreme: I love me some Dela. This queen proved in both her regular season and All Stars that she is a force to be reckoned with. Season 6 wouldn’t have been the same without her and did I want to yell at Darienne Lake for being a bitch to her? Absolutely! (Gia Gunn pun intended) And I honestly think that if she hadn’t eliminated herself, she would’ve won AS3 (though if you read my #1 entry, I am 100% satisfied with who did win). She completely deserved her Miss Congeniality title, and while I see where the others AS3 queens were coming from when they suspected she was trying a little too hard to keep up that image, I did appreciate her trying to play the game with some class, because we don’t see that often on Drag Race. I also love her friendship with Jinkx and it’s definitely on my bucket list to see one of their shows one day. You know what they say, the Creme always rises to the top!

#3 - Brooke Lynn Hytes: Full disclosure, I’m Canadian but that’s not the only reason why I love Brooke (she is the Queen in the North though, and I’ll fight you if you say otherwise). This queen is fucking TALENTED! Season 11 would have failed without her, IMHO. She can design and sow a complete outfit, read people to filth, sort of sing (I still listen to Queens Everywhere daily, especially her verse), dance circles around ANYBODY, and lip sync like her mother fucking life depends on it. Did she, by the end of the season, forget that’s there’s more to a lip sync than being on pointe? Yes, absolutely. But that doesn’t change the fact that she is literal perfection and I think that’s why Ru gave Yvie the crown instead of her (though I love Yvie so don’t come for me). Brooke’s biggest downfall was the fact that she wasn’t relatable and I am 100% okay with that. Sometimes you just have to worship the unattainable. The only issue I have with Brooke is her and Vanjie not being officially together anymore because yes, I am one of those fans that ship queens together, especially queens that have actually dated. I will never get over #Branjie, just saying.

#2 - Adore Delano: "I'm a fucking Libra!" As soon as these words left her mouth, I knew I was in love with Adore Delano. Season 6 is by far my favorite season (spoiler alert if I decide to make a Top 10 Best Seasons list) and if it weren't for my #1 pick, she would 100% have the top spot. Hell, before I discovered WOW Presents, she WAS my #1 pick (read my next entry to understand what I mean). Adore is simultaneously adorable (pun intended) and fierce AF. She's beautiful, hilarious, and did I mention beautiful?! She is the reason I say "party" at inappropriate times. She is the reason I wish I was a Libra instead of a fucking Scorpio. She is the reason I insist everybody start their first Drag Race binge with season 6 because I know they’ll fall in love with her as much as I have. Adore, if you’re reading this, I fucking adore you.

#1 - Trixie Mattel & Katya Zamolodchikova: Of course these two are tied as my number one spot. Individually, these queens are fucking fierce and extremely talented (go download Trixie's country albums if you don't believe me), but together they are pure gold. If you've only ever watched their run on season 7, you probably don't understand why I love them so much, so do yourself a favor and go watch All Stars 2 & 3, as well as their web shows "UnHhhh", "The Trixie & Katya Show", and “Queens Who Like To Watch”. I can even give you a list of other stand alone videos of them to watch (ex. "Besties for Cash", "Fashion Photo Review", compilation videos of the pair in Palm Springs... I think you get the gist). Truth be told, I'm absolutely obsessed with these two, so much so that I may or may not have indulged in some online fan fiction about them from time to time...don’t judge me, okay?! I love a friends-turned-lovers love story, and I know I’m not the only one wishing #Trixya would happen IRL. I've also shelled out so much money to Trixie alone on her merch and makeup, and I'm waiting very impatiently for them to go on tour together so I can go full Futurama and just scream "take my money" as I buy the most VIP package they have. Trixie and Katya are the ultimate definition of All Stars and I'll fight anyone who says otherwise.

[myaekingheart]

Top 5 accessories for cosplaying? (Like, Favorite wig, necklace, dress, etc and if you have photos I’d love to see them. 😂)

OH MAN THIS IS ANOTHER GOOD ONE, THANK YOU JESSIE xD

1. HANDS DOWN, my Rapunzel wig.  This little baby is truly my labor of love and the pinnacle of my Rapunzel cosplaying experience. I’ve actually always felt kind of competitive about my Rapunzel cosplay? Like I was never a good enough Rapunzel cosplayer, and it took a lot of work and money hrmmm for me to feel this confident and proud of how far I’ve come, and this wig is like the end-all, be-all for that. The dress is gorgeous, don’t get me wrong, but the wig just really pulls it all together. Ever since I saw usagi-kirov’s amazing Rapunzel cosplays, I knew I needed to have a super long wig. It took a lot of trial and error to finally get where I am now with it, and I couldn’t be more in love with it. It tops out at 13ft long, and as much as I hate having to clean out all that hair, a part of me wants to expand on it EVEN MORE in the future, until it reaches maybe 30ft! 

I’d like to say I’m a very detail-oriented person and this is especially true of things I’m passionate about, like cosplaying Rapunzel. As such, I felt extremely compelled to go the extra mile with my wig and add in a special little detail to it that I think makes the whole thing even better: Rapunzel’s brunette strand. 

In the movie, as a quick refresher, Mother Gothel tries to snip a lock of baby Rapunzel’s hair when she breaks into the castle in the very beginning of the movie. She finds, however, that when the hair is cut, it “turns brown and loses it’s power.” That little strand of hair that Gothel cut never grew back, and Rapunzel displays it to Eugene after they escape death in the cave after the dam breaks and she heals his injured hand with her hair.  Adding this to my own cosplay was probably the best impulsive decision I ever made. The strand itself is a clip in that was originally long and white and bought for a now-defunct Anna cosplay. I got really inspired one night, so I grabbed a pair of scissors and a brown sharpie and voila-- Rapunzel’s brunette strand! Even if you can’t always see it when I’m cosplaying, I always love the fact that it’s there and that I can always pull my blonde hair back and show it off whenever the timing is appropriate. I just feel like it adds an extra little dose of magic, you know? 

2. Pascal Now this little guy has been with me since 2012 and is honestly one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. I found him for $7 on Ebay by a company named Bullyland, and while he’s tiny he’s super screen accurate in design and just the cutest damn thing. I’ve brought him lots of places with me over the years, including Oktoberfest at my grandparent’s church and Bok Tower in Florida! As well as pretty much every con I’ve attended as Rapunzel, too <3

3. Satchel (Wow this is really becoming all Tangled props, isn’t it? Whoops!)  Now this one I have yet to break out at a convention but I will tomorrow and I am so excited to! I’ve been itching for a replica of Eugene’s satchel from the film for ages, but I didn’t think I was skilled enough to make one on my own, and the internet is a wonderland for people of all different styles and skill levels to sell their own renditions. I put off getting an actual one for so long, and ended up even settling for a slightly-similar brown cross-body bag instead for the longest time, but then came my lord and savior mothership supreme HOT TOPIC. As part of a recent Disney collection, they released a replica of the satchel and I knew my time had come. My parents were gracious enough to buy one for me and bring it up on one of their trips to my college town and I can honestly say, I am absolutely in love with it. It’s so screen accurate and beautifully made, and the inside lining is purple with the Corona sun emblem! It’s honestly just one of my absolute favorite things and I am so grateful to have been able to get my hands on one. 

4. Rapunzel’s Crown I don’t really wear this one out just because she’s delicate, but this is another beauty I couldn’t be happier to get my hands on. I had wanted a replica of Rapunzel’s beautiful crown for so long, and even more than the satchel, but had the hardest time getting one for years. Disney had released an official replica in 2010 when the movie was released, and it was available until late 2011/early 2012 I believe? But it was so gorgeous, and I wanted one so badly, but I was never able to actually get one, they had sold out way too quickly-- go figure. Disney has never released another crown quite like this one since, so I was heartbroken when I was completely unable to get one. This was really before “princessing” took a huge boom back when Angel-Secret, Fairytale Wigs, and Secret Honey’s Halloween line were really household princess cosplay names (or at least for me). Much like the satchel, there were sellers online creating Rapunzel tiara’s but they were always either not quite what I wanted or way out of my price range. I felt like the only way I’d be able to really get what I wanted was to try and make it which my then-fifteen year old self really did not master. I had first tried sculpting one...we don’t talk about the results of that. I nicknamed that attempt “The Sand Mound” because that is exactly what it looked like: a mound of sand. Then I tried using a cheap plastic tiara that I got in a Barnegat, NJ Target one summer as a base and that worked for a while but it still wasn’t really what I wanted, was super top heavy, and really poorly made to the point where it was just falling apart. It wasn’t until 2015 when I finally found a reasonably priced, screen accurate Rapunzel tiara, the crown of my dreams. It was made by an indie company named Moonfire charms, who has since stopped making the crown, and is one of my most prized possessions, honestly. It’s just so beautiful and detailed and well-made, even if it is a little top-heavy, too, and I’m too scared to wear it to a convention for fear of it breaking on me (which I have good reason to fear because it actually came damaged when I ordered it and they were gracious enough to send me a new one free of charge). Looking back, this one is actually even more screen accurate than the Disney Store one was, so I guess things worked out for the best in the end, anyways! 

5. Dinglehopper I know what you’re thinking: how can a fork be one of your favorite cosplay accessories? Well, listen, this dinglehopper thank-you-very-much is just super magical, okay? When I was putting together my Ariel cosplay, I thought it would be cute to have a dinglehopper as a prop but I wasn’t too concerned about buying one. It was something that I was just kind of “whatever, I’ll just grab a fork” about. But then I came across this vintage serving fork that my mom had, I think it may have belonged to her grandmother, and I instantly knew this was the fork. 

“It’s her! She’s the one I’ve been looking for!”  Seriously, though, this fork just has a certain je ne sais quois about it that makes it feel like it was ripped straight from a fairytale. Maybe because it’s antique. Maybe because it has some rose detailing on the handle. Maybe I’m just a sap. Who knows? But this fork is definitely a precious keepsake that I just love incorpoating into my Ariel cosplay. 

[sakuwriteshere]

The Winchesters and the Librarian: Chapter 1

Summary:  Two families, two different legacies but one common fate. Y/N Y/L/N, the newest and only Librarian met the Winchesters brothers during one of her quests. None of them knew that it was the beginning of a strange and awkward friendship. And maybe, even more than that.

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Female Reader, Sam Winchester x Female Reader (friendship)

Warnings: None at the moment. Slight mention of violence but nothing graphic. In future chapters, possibly angst, violence, mention of blood, bad language and mayyyyybe smut (not sure about that one, yet)

Words count: 1743

A/N: So another series! I like slow burn and long stories so I can’t help! I thought it would be fun to write something about those two shows. I loved the Librarian TV show, and the humour in it and I think SPN could mix perfectly.

Anyway! I don’t know how long this series will be or even where it’s going but I had fun writing the first chapter! Hope you’ll like it too and feel free to share your ideas about future chapters.

English is not my native tongue and this is un-betated, so sorry for any grammar mistakes.

Disclamer: I do NOT own Supernatural / The Librarian or any character of the shows which are the CW company properties. This work is for free entertainment only.

A/N: Not my gif

Chapter 1 : The Bleeding Crown of the Vampire Queen of Northampto

Run. Run for your life. That’s what they said. And it was true. You’ve been running for a while now, how long exactly, you didn’t know, but the aching feeling in your muscles was a good hint and your whole body was screaming at you to stop.

You’ve been in a pretty good physique condition because of your work. Sometimes you had to fight or run to achieve what you’re supposed to. Well, tonight, it seemed like you had to run. You had discovered that Vampires really existed, and they were pretty strong for some kind of undead people. They were strong and persistent, exactly the reason why you were running. Next time, you’ll think twice before trespassing into their nest.

A weak smile appeared on your face as the little motel you were staying at came into view. In a few seconds you would be safe. Just hang on a bit more, Y/N!

You crashed against your room door and fumbled with your keys. You looked back, looking for any monster and readjusted your bag’s strap on your shoulder. You entered your room and closed the door right behind you, your back pressed against the door and you could finally let out a big, shuddering breath. You needed a second to recover. You knew they were coming but you needed just one, freaking second.

You let out a disgusting yell as someone, or something, banged against your door, the wooden plank trembling behind the force on it. Without wasting anymore second, you jumped on the other side of your bed, searching for the weapons you had gathered. A girl needs to be prepared. And even though, you just discovered that vampires did exist one hour ago, you brought with you some tools that were going to be handy.

As the door broke into pieces you turned around and faced the two vampires that entered your room. The grip around the wooden stake tightened and you took a deep breath as you lifted your other hand in front of you.

The monsters looked dumbfounded at the crucifix you were holding, then snickered.

“Step back!” You ordered them, brandishing the crucifix once again.

You saw one of them stepping closer and you swallowed hard.

“Really?” He asked as his foot bumped into a garlic chain that you have set up as a trap.

“Oh God.” You murmured as you saw his fangs.

Nothing was working. The garlic? Fail. The Crucifix? They weren’t scared of it. There was only one last weapon in your hand.

“That toothpick won’t do anything, darlin’” The other vampire chuckled as he came closer too.

Why nothing was working? You’ve read the lore, well not really, you should have read it but you thought that vampires didn’t exist before tonight so why would you bother? If you came out of this alive you knew Jenkins was going to kill you for your incompetence.

As the nearest one was going to jump on you, you turned your back slightly, adopting a defensive stance and shielded your face with your forearms, the stake still in your hand.

You heard a cutting sound then something falling heavily on the carpeted floor. With your eyes still closed you waited for the deadly hit but nothing came. After a few seconds you cracked an eye open and noticed that the vampires were gone. Well, they were more laying on the floor, in the middle of a pool of blood and beheaded.

“What the…” You whispered, tilting your head on the side.

“You alright?” Someone asked you and finally you lifted your face and noticed the two men inside your room.

They didn’t look like vampires. They were wearing some plaid shirts and jeans, and more importantly they had a machete, covered in blood, in their hands. Their faces weren’t as pale as the creatures you’ve met before. The one who asked about your wellbeing, had shaggy long hair, a pair of captivating hazel eyes and a handsome face.

“I…” You trailed, too captivated by this enigmatic tall, strong man.

“Garlic? Really?” Another voice said from the corner of the room. If the first man was handsome, there was no word in your vocabulary to describe the other one. He was a tad smaller than the first one, even though he was still taller than you, had short dirty blond hair and the most amazing pair of green eyes that you’ve ever seen.

“And look at that,” the smallest one chuckled as he hit the other guy’s forearm. “A crucifix and a pair of wooden stakes! What are you? Buffy, the Vampires’ slayer?” He was the only one laughing.

“I,” you struggled to speak. You licked your dry lips and blinked a few times before the reality punched you right in the face. “This isn’t funny! Those are vampires and-”

“Oh we know, thank you very much!” He said angrily.

“Dean!” The tallest one hissed, stopping his friend to say more.

First impression always gave a good hint about a person. And right now, you knew you didn’t like this Dean. He seemed so full of himself.

“Whatever.” You sighed as you grabbed your bag and started to collect the rest of your stuff all around the room. “There’s others and it’s better if we leave before they come here.”

“We took care of the rest of the nest. Calm down, Buffy.” Dean said as he swiped the blood on his blade with the corner of his plaid shirt.

Just like you thought. So full of himself!

“Stop calling me, Buffy!” You grunted as you knelt and tried to reach the pair of pants that somewhat rolled under the bed.

“Yeah, whatever. You’re welcome by the way. Come on, Sam.” Dean shrugged before motioning the other man to follow him as he headed for the exit.

“Wait, wait a second.” Sam stopped him and came closer, crouching next to you.

You came from under the bed and huffed, pushing a strand of hair that fell in front of your eyes and nearly squeaked at Sam’s proximity.

“Why were you into the nest?” Dean nodded, he wouldn’t admit it but he was a bit curious as well. They had seen you entering the mansion the vampires were hiding in. And since you had come out without a biting mark, you weren’t just a regular civilian. Maybe just a crazy Buffy-wannabe.

The question made you smile proudly. You grabbed the bag that laid on your bed and checked at what was inside. “I needed to collect something.” You said as you pulled something from inside your bag.

You showed Sam the beautiful golden crown. It wasn’t big, just the size of a tiara, with three little pointy ends on the top. In the middle of the crown there was a big red ruby, as red as the blood you saw earlier.

“A freaking crown?” Dean asked, bewildered. You had risked your life and theirs, for a stupid piece of jewelry?

Your nose scrunched up at Dean’s insult and you put the crown back into the safety of your bag.

“This isn’t just a crown! This is the Bleeding Crown of the Vampire Queen of Northampto.”

“Not-a-what?” Dean asked, his hands resting on his hips, and licking his lips as he tried to understand what you were saying.

“Northampto.” You repeated easily. “This is a very old artefact. It seems like it has some powers, like robing the youth and keeping its owner young and strong forever.” You added.

“This explains why the vics looked so old.” Sam whispered into Dean’s ear. “Are- are you a hunter?” He asked as he turned towards you.

“A hunter? Come on Sam! She’s barely pulling out her Buffy’s cosplay!” Dean scoffed, waving an arm in your direction.

“Stop calling me Buffy! My name is Y/N!” You said through greeted teeth, your hands turned into fists.

“I can call you whatever I want, and I think Buffy, pretty suits you.” Dean forced a smile, he was acting so childish! “She must be a thief, like that Bella chick.”

You narrowed your eyes at that pompous-handsome-but-I-wanna-punch-you-in-the-face bastard when you heard him insulting you again.

“I’m not a thief!” You scoffed, and you blew some air to push back the strand that fell in front of your eyes again. “I’m a librarian!” You announced proudly, your chin high in the air and your back straight.

The two men looked at you with a stupid look. The three of you fell silent and the awkward tension was quickly filling the room.

“Your kind of librarian or my kind?” Dean asked softly as he bend towards Sam.

“She’s wearing clothes. Definitely not your kind.” Sam whispered back, still looking at you but glancing at his friend, nonetheless.

You rolled your eyes and let out a frustrated groan as you started to collect your belongings again. As you pilled up several books that were on the bedside table, Dean smirked and hit Sam’s chest.

“Too many books. She’s your kind.”

Sam gave him his best bitchy face before walking closer.

“Listen, I think we started on the wrong foot. I’m Sam Winchester and this is my brother, Dean.”

You turned around and faced Sam, the pile of book getting heavier with each second that passed and you looked at the hand Sam was holding in front of you. You struggled but managed to shake his hand, anyway.

“Listen,” you said as Sam took the books from your hands, smiling at him for the help. “Thank you very much for earlier. I don’t like violence, but I appreciate your help. Really. I have to go and put this artefact in a safe place, where nobody could use it.”

You explained as you collected the remaining stuff. Once everything was packed, you took your bags and headed for the door. You watched the two dead bodies and stepped carefully over them and closed your eyes as you saw the broken door. Jenkins was so going to kill you for that. ‘Be smart and discreet’ he said, you were sure you would hear about it for a long, long time.

“Thanks again, boys.” You waved and exited the room, heading for your car.

“Take care, Y/N.” Sam waved back even though you couldn’t see him.

“Yeah and avoid the vampires, Buffy!” Dean shouted, a shit eating grin at the corner of his lips once he saw you tripped on your foot.

~~~~~~~~~

Tag list:

@chims-kookies @strayrosesbloom @colie87 @fanfictionjunkie1112

[unicagem]

Tbh the reason I entered the Steven Universe fandom after 2 years of watching the series is Emerald... 

If I won’t like her, she might even be the reason I will leave it... that stigma when your name is associated to a character but you don’t want. Rip.

Naah, sad scenarios aside, this is my Emerald cosplay! As you know this is the outfit from the concept art, but at the moment I only have this shade of (EMERALD) green bodypaint, so you’ll have to wait before seeing the other PERIDOT GREEN skintone (although this shade doesn’t look as bad as I thought). I’ll have to paint the neck and hands too but I’m glad the other version has gloves because it’s a torture wearing bodypaint/bodysuit on hands during cons >>

I don’t know what to wear as shoes? The black boots were my original idea but I remembered I have golden shoe cover from an old cosplay. Too bad they look quite rough compared to the rest because I made them by hand before buying the new sewing machine (whose name is Jasper, useless detail), but honestly, I like the effect on my leg more than the boots.

Wig?? Here’s what I tried to do: 

Cute right?

HELL NO!

It looked horrible when worn, the photos make it look better but I assure you it was really ugly especially in the posterior part! The hair spray made the wig look like it was covered in shitty wood glue (or something else) and instead of volume it made me look like a troll. I used hair spray other times and this is the first time I get this horrible effect... So I washed the wig and used hairdryer to change the hairstyle. At least, now it looks fuller, but still far from Emerald’s hairstyle, and as you can see I’m keeping a headband because it helps me putting locks where I want for photos. I found a lovely tutorial about changing the direction of the wefts with vapor and then teasing, but... teasing a wig? Me? I’m not ready for that, I should try it with an old wig first.

This said, I feel like Bibi. Or Emerold. Wrong Emeralds.

Now, have this photo that came out with a weird lighting and shows the moment when I was accidentally possessed by some spirit (all I wanted was to imitate her pose in the concept art but clearly yesterday wasn’t the right day)

Here you can see the back. I don’t know why but it reminds me of the Joker. Although I have enough fur to complete the collar, I didn’t attach it because I like the neckline I created! Sorry I don’t have a photo, I forgot to take it, but it should be called “Queen Anne” style!

In any case I have two fur shrugs, so this isn’t a problem. 

The gemstone is attached to the tiara. Obviously, I can’t take pics without or I’ll be gemless as well (?). The problem is that I ran out of the thing for the molds and I just have resin, and since this shit is expensive I can’t buy it rn. But I’ll see if at the con I can find something to make a gem like Worbla’s Crystal Art... I want to try it (the first day of the con I��m wearing another cosplay, which ironically is Disney Esmeralda, so I can get what I need to complete Emerald)

However, since I can keep my eye open, this is more comfortable than I thought!! My visual field is like zero but ok.

AH! The weapon.

Those things come from an old cosplay that won’t be finished and will become something original for Lapis probably. But I might finish those blades and use them for Emerald? Yeah who wouldn’t want to die by heart blades??? Emerald is the stone of love bitches let me love you. 😂 

As for the fangs, my canines have a weird shape, but I found a nice thing to try with fake nails. I’m not sure for how long I can keep them in my mouth (?) and I don’t know if I can put them on the inferior arc too (also knowing myself I’ll find a way to hurt my tongue anyways).

?? Wish I had a cape or something because wearing this = being naked (and I cosplayed the old design of Alexstrasza), I’m actually thinking of making Lars’ cape in case my period decides to make a surprise during the con otherwise it’s O V E R ♥

[chumimiiiin]

Lolita 100 questions tag

1. Screen-name and date of birth, please tell us these~

Chumimiin/Alice, 6/6 2. Height, weight, clothing size, and shoe size? 1,65 m / 54 kg / M / 39 3. Why did you start to dress lolita?

I fell in love with the lolita aesthetic at a really young age, when I discovered Japanese culture and subcultures. For years and years I wished I could be able to wear such gorgeous clothes once I grew up, so many years later my dream came true 4. Which style of lolita do you like? My favourite style is classic, but I love old school as well. Also I have a thing for sweet otome! 5. Express in your own words, the ideal of your above answer.

Various elements and colours that look really good together and a key concept that keeps everything united. 6. Do you have piercings? Where? Both earlobes. 7. Which brands do you like? Innocent World, Emily Temple Cute, Victorian Maiden, Baby the Stars Shine Bright. 8. Which are your favourite clothes (that you have)? Westminster JSK and Crown Jewels JSK by IW, Twinkle Tartan Heart Pocket JSK 9. How many lolita friends do you have? IDK MANY but unfortunately I don’t see them very often.

10. What do you love most about lolita? The huge variety of prints, the love for details and gorgeous materials, the femininity and the creativity you necessarily need to coordinate various items for an outfit.

11. What do you hate about it? Any pet peeves? Not really. I’m just kinda sad this fashion is dying in my country.

12. What lolita magazines do you read? I don’t read any magazine on regular basis, but I own a couple of Kera.

13. Headdresses, bonnets or ribbons/hairbows? Berets and simple bows. 14. Do you wear bloomers? No but I’d love to own a pair of old school ones! 15. Do you tie headdresses at the front or in the back? Always at the front! You must SUFFER lmao 16. Who is your favourite band/type of music? I listen to many different genres, but my favourites atm are folk rock and lo-fi. 17. What is your phone ring tone~? A boring one 18. Do you go to concerts in lolita? Noooo I’m not crazy enough 19. For people who attend concerts: do you headbang there? It depends 20. What colours do you like? Pink, bordeaux, black, gold. 21. What are your hobbies? Drawing, cosplay, workout, taking long walks, watching movies/shows/documentaries. 22. If you have any favourite perfumes, please tell us. La Petite Robe Noire by Guerlain. It’s perfect for lolita fashion. 23. Is there anything you are careful of in lolita? About my dresses and makeup.

24. Do you have any favourite haunts to go to in lolita? Not really, I like to go to different places each time. 25. How many times a week do you dress lolita? I used to dress it really often, now it’s been 4 months since the last time I wore it (too hot here). 26. Please tell us an embarrassing story from when you were a lolita beginner. Since I used to lurk A LOT on the Internet before getting to actually wear lolita, I never had a super embarrassing ita phase, although my first coord wasn’t that good... 27. What is your current hairstyle and colour? Short curly dark brown hair. Not very suited for lolita but whatevs.

28. What is your lolita history?

Discovery : It was 2007, I believe

First real item : 2013. I went to Tokyo and bought some stuff from Bodyline and Closet Child

In between : lurking and lurking and lurking and crying over the beauty I couldn’t have.

29. Do you store your clothes in a special place? In one half of my closet. 30. Did you ever think about quitting lolita? What was the reason? I kinda lost interest in it during this year, but I’m falling again 31. What is your motto? I’m bad with mottos lmao 32. What are your dreams of the future? Being able to find my way and be happy. 33. “This person is so perfect for lolita!” - Do you ever think that about certain celebrities? No. 34. Are there any products/items of which you have with a fond memory? Westminster JSK, it was my dream dress and I was so happy when it came in the mail I was about to cry. 35. What was your first item? I can’t remember, maybe an OP from Bodyline. 36. Do you have a signature pose for photos? No, I keep it simple 37. What is your heart’s bible? [book/magazine/CD/etc…] IDK I can’t choose just one thing. 38. What is the best height (cm) for heels? 6 cm  39. Do you wear tiaras? No, I don’t like them. 40. Do you think you want to try prince style? What kind of prince? Gothic/dark prince? Or “prince on a white horse” style? I’d like to try it! I’d like to go for “gorgeous young prince living in a fairy tale” style. 41. What types of lace do you like? Torchon lace and some laces used by IW. 42. Do you own a doll? Does owning it give you fun, childish feelings? No, but I think they’re beautiful. 43. What is in your lolita bag? Wallet, phone, keys, pochette with emergency makeup (?), earphones, power bank. 44. What is your favourite flower? Hydrangeas. 45. Right now, what is your favourite accessory? An offbrand necklace with pearls and a crown pendant. 46. Please recommend some cosmetics. Revolution palettes, NYX epic ink eyeliner, Urban Decay contour palette 47. With eye-tape your eyes look like a doll’s! What eyelashes will you wear? NYX’s. 48. What is your eye makeup for these eyelashes? I like to change it every time 49. Red Lipstick? Blue? Black? Pink? Pink or soft orange. Or gradient lips with dark red/pink. 50. Which nail polish do you normally choose? Pink, bordeaux or black. 51. Have you ever changed in a train station bathroom? No. 52. What do you think of “twin” and “triplet” lolitas? Super cute! 53. How do you keep in shape for lolita? Recommend something. I keep in shape for my health, not for a fashion... 

54. Do you keep calm when you wear lolita alone in public? Not really, but I try to ignore everyone by listening to music and minding my business. 55. How much do you spend per month on clothes/accessories? I don’t spend much money anymore. 56. Was there a time lag between knowing about lolita and dressing in the fashion? Yes, I couldn’t afford it for a long time. 57. What is your most expensive lolita item? Westminster JSK 58. It takes a lot of money to be a lolita. How do you save? I work and resell stuff I don’t need anymore. 59. Just a little secret here… How much have you spent so far on lolita, roughly? I don’t know, some thousands of € 60. Is there a brand shop you want near where you live? IW, Emily Temple Cute, Leur Getter.

61. “Man, what a rip-off!!” Have you ever thought that about a store? Some AP dresses look cheap af in real life... 62. Do you shop online? If so, put the good & bad points here to advise others. Good point: huge variety of stuff. Bad point: shipping is expensive most of the times. 63. Is there a secret person/shop that you have commissioned a dress just for you from? No. 64. “I can never have that/see that happening!! But I will always want it!!” Is there a brand you think this of? Jane Marple and Victorian Maiden stuff, because it’s too expensive. Also, my ultimate dream dress: Lotta JSK in green by IW.

65. What do you do with the clothes you don’t want anymore? I try selling them. 66. What is your most recent purchase? (Even non-lolita.) Queen Mary Fragrance JSK in pink by ETC (my otome dream dress!) 67. Is there an item you love that you can’t buy/seem to find? Lots of Victorian Maiden stuff and veeeery old dresses 68. What do you think of people who only wear lolita to concerts? Do they really exist? 69. What do you think of lolitas without makeup? If they feel comfortable with no makeup, good for them. 70. Another lolita is wearing the same coordinate/clothes as you!! What do you do? ”TWEEEEEEEENSSSSS” 71. What age should you stop wearing lolita? when I get tired of it. I don’t think my anagraphic age would matter. 72. When do you think you should graduate from lolita? And why? See previous answer. 73. “You should stop doing that!!! >_<” What must a lolita not do? Passive-aggressively harassing other lolitas. I mean, what are you, 12? 74. “A lolita should be ‘this’!” What do you think that should be? A person who has fun with this fashion. 75. Besides #73, is there anything you should definitely not do while wearing lolita? Anything socially unacceptable/illegal lmao. 76. What do you think of men in lolita? Same thing of women in lolita. 77. Did you change yourself to be a lolita? I try to act more feminine.

78. What does your family and other people think of you dressing lolita? And do you accept it? My mother loves it, my sister thinks it’s a weird hobby and kind of a waste of money, but she likes it overall. 79. How do you wear lolita in the boiling mid-summer? No. 80. Have you gone to school or work in lolita? Both.

81. How do you dress normally? Very genderless. 82. Do you think twice about buying second-hand clothes? I avoid buying items in very bad conditions. 83. Do you have a boyfriend? (or husband?) Does he understand lolita? No. 84. Please tell us about your ideal man. I don’t have one. 85. What lolita has left a big, shiny impression on you so far? Fanny Rosie

86. Have you made your own clothes? What are they like? No but I want to sew something soon. 87. Have you made your own accessories? What did you make? I made a bow and two straw hats. 88. Think about the best item you have made! What is it? One of the hats. It has white and lilac flowers and a gingham ribbon. 89. Please tell us about the most perfect lolita coordination you wear. I don’t really remember lol 90. Do you admire someone? What are they like? IDK 91. “One day I will go on a date with that person.” What would you like to wear for him? Not lolita.

92. If you want one, what type of store would you open in the future? A multibrand j-fashion store. 93. Something catches your eye. What is this motif? Flowers, keys, crowns, gingham, books. 94. Would you dress your child in lolita? I don’t want children. 95. How much do you spend on one outfit? 200/350 € 96. “This is lolita!!” Please say what you would say this about. Something with good quality lace and bows. 97. “I have always wanted to try that once!” What, in the lolita world, have you wanted to try wearing? Ouji! 98. Look at yourself in lolita. In one word/phrase, how would you express your style/image? Well balanced. 99. What is your lolita ideal? Having a wardrobe I’d be proud of. 100. Thank you for taking this baton!! Tell us what you think! It took me 27 years but it was fun

[templeofgeek]

Katie York is a photographer from Los Angeles, California. I first met Katie in early 2015 through the Doctor Who Community. She was a Twelfth Doctor Cosplayer at the time. I ,myself, was also a Doctor Who cosplayer and also from the surrounding Los Angeles area. I began to follow her on Instagram and very quickly formed a friendship with her. Our shared interest stretched far beyond just Doctor Who and Cosplay.  We talked daily about our fandoms, our lives and our passions. One passion we shared and cared very deeply about was Cosplay Photography. For us cosplay photography was just as important as the cosplays themselves. Photography was our way of celebrating our fandom. Doing our best to bring out the hard work and effort that had gone into making these cosplays. Doing our best to do justice to the cosplays and the cosplayer. Most of what I have learned about cosplay photography I have learned from Katie. She has a very unique style and approach to shooting cosplays. To me, her photos seem softer and more sophisticated than a lot of the Cosplay Photography I have seen out there. She brings out the personalities of the people she photographs just as well as she does the loveliness of their cosplays. It is this unique style that makes her so sought after as a photographer. Her Wonder Woman Cosplay Project, which you will read about below, is touching  and brilliant. I am very honored to be sharing her work and her story with you. 

Photo by VXV Images

Your story, tell us about yourself. Hi all, I’m Katie! I’m a purple loving lady who moved with my mom and my dog from the east coast (New Hampshire) to the west coast (Southern California) to pursue a career in film post production. I love many things, most of them being my family, my fandoms (Disney, Wonder Woman, Sherlock and Star Trek to name a few.) and my pretend boyfriends (the most recent being Taika Waititi, Karl Urban and Chris Pine). When I’m not behind the lens of my Nikon I can be found running around my second home, Disneyland!

How long have you been interested in photography and storytelling? Photography has always flitted in and out of my life for quite sometime. I tinkered with disposable cameras all throughout my childhood years. I’d like to point out that most, if not all, of those photos were terrible wide shots of my disinterested dog and my startled Grandma. As I grew older I loved watching America’s Next Top Model for the sole reason of seeing how the photos from the shoots turned out. I was obsessed with the concept shoots and how interesting and fun and statuesque the models always looked. However, if I was to pinpoint when my love for the art solidified it was probably my senior year of high school into the first few months of college when I got to develop and process my own black and white film. At the time I had really NO idea what I was doing but I enjoyed doing it. Shortly after graduating college though, my camera fell by the wayside while I began building the foundation of my career in post production. Fast forward 5 years later, with my very first bonus check from my first real SERIOUS job in my hand, I bought my first DSLR camera and it’s been a passionate love ever since.

How long have you been interested in cosplay photography? I’ve been interested in cosplay photography for a little over 2 years? I never really thought it to be something I’d be interested in until I started regularly going to conventions around 3 years ago. Walking around the convention floor you can see all the love and dedication these people have for the craft and for the characters they wear. It’s infectious and since I’m nowhere near as handy as they are I felt compelled to contribute to this community somehow. So the photography just fell right into place. I like to consider cosplay photography as souped up portrait photography. The colors and textures and all the different faces make working with cosplayers so rewarding.

What got you started in cosplay/ cosplay photography? I was a Doctor Who cosplayer for a time and had some friends in our local community who were also into it. At the time I really didn’t even know cosplay shoots were a “thing”. We wanted to get photos outside of a convention setting so I reached out to a friend who knew a friend who had a camera. It’s been history ever since.

10th Doctor Cosplay

Donna Noble Cosplay

11th Doctor Cosplay

River Song Cosplay

Clara Oswald Cosplay

6th Doctor Cosplay

10th Doctor Cosplay

11th Doctor Cosplay

Is there any kind of equipment that you prefer to use when shooting cosplay? I’m not very fussy when it comes to equipment. As long as I have even, natural light and my workhorse lens (a.k.a my Sigma 50-100 mm f/1.8) I’m good to go! That said, what I keep in my kit is my Nikon D3300 body, Sigma 50-100 f/1.8, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 and Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6. Oh, and a TON of fairy lights. You never know when you need to get sparkly on a shoot.

You had a photo go viral recently. What is the story there and How do you feel about that? I did and it was such an incredibly wild experience! But to provide context, I met Steven and Millie a.k.a the Cosplay Parents at Long Beach Comic Con this past September. Running around various circles in the Southern California Comic Convention scene I had learned of Steven and Millie. I had seen many photos of their beautiful cosplays around the internet but I never had the chance to actually formally introduce myself. Until a week before Long Beach Comic Con when my friend looped me in on a tweet from them showcasing their latest cosplay confection. Diana Prince and Steve Trevor. Needless to say, I flipped and the subsequent tweets expressed my enthusiasm. We confirmed I’d love the opportunity to photograph them and that was that.

Fast forward to day one of the con and I had just stepped out of a panel with William Shatner only to look out over the balcony to find Steven and Millie taking selfies in the lobby. Cut to your girl running down three flights of stairs (lugging her gear bag behind her) to catch them. I am nothing, if not enthusiastic about snagging my subjects. Thus our first mini shoot was born and my friendship with them took off. Because the day AFTER that photo was taken, I posted it to my twitter and over the course of 24 hours it went VIRAL. 18k likes, 5k retweets and a retweet and comment by the Wonder Woman Director herself, Patty Jenkins. To top it all off, a week later Steven and Millie and our photo were featured on Mashable and The Chive! Needless to say, that Labor Day weekend became incredibly memorable for both the Cosplay Parents and I.

https://twitter.com/KatieBePhoto/status/904394171284197376

https://twitter.com/PattyJenks/status/904785780173717504

  It was so insane watching all of this go down. I wasn’t really expecting the volume of likes this photo would garner and Steven and Millie certainly weren’t expecting the reception they were given. It was such a positive experience not only to see my work so well received and the outpouring of love for what the CosplayParents do but also for the friendship I made with Steven and Millie since then. I know viral things don’t always have a positive outcome but I’m thankful this one was.

Do you have any photos that are your favorite or that you really proud of?  This is such a hard question as each shoot is very special and like a mother, I can’t pick a favorite out of all my babies, but I would have to say one photo I’m very proud of is a shot I took during my very first WWxKtBe shoot. This shot of Julia in front of these tall buildings encapsulates what I wanted this Wonder Woman project to look like. Powerful and strong and ready to take on the world!

From beginning to now: How do you feel about how far you’ve come in your photography? Oh without a doubt I am leaps and bounds better than I was when I first started. I’ve learned so much in regards to how I use certain kinds of equipment, to looking at light, to posing my subjects, to how I edit things. Everyday I learn something new and that keeps this hobby fresh and exciting for me. I just love it.

We’ve talked briefly on this subject before. While hopping around conventions, we noticed a lack of female photographers. Many times you and I have been the only female photographers present at a comic book convention.  How do you feel about the need for more female cosplay photographers? Like every aspect of the workforce there is without a doubt a gigantic need for more female cosplay photographers! I think we as women bring a different view to photography then men might have. As an art form and as a community we should want to see different perspectives from women. I’m very inspired by the male cosplay photographers I follow and would relish the inspiration from up and coming female cosplay photographers as well!

Tell us the story of your Wonder Woman project? I walked into a movie theater with my best friend Briana on June 7th eagerly anticipating my first viewing of Wonder Woman. I was certainly pumped for what I had seen in the trailers despite not fully knowing what to expect. Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins didn’t disappoint. Fast forward nearly 2 and half hours later to Briana and I walking out of that theater changed women. I’ve always prided myself on being an independent woman who had all the things that make a woman walk tall. But after walking out of Wonder Woman for the first time I found myself walking taller and energized. Thank God there weren’t any tanks nearby because there was a VERY good chance I would’ve tried to pick it up ala the No Man’s Land scene.

But something wonderful triggered in my brain that night while Briana and I stood in the empty parking lot taking selfies in my Wonder Woman tiara. I needed to create and I needed it to be focused on this iconic female character and how important she is to strong and impassioned women (like me and the women I surround myself with). I decided that I wanted to start working on an open ended series of photoshoots with all kinds of Wonder Women cosplayers, revolving around the idea that no matter size, age or color we are ALL Wonder Women. This line of thinking is also the same through line to most of the photo work I’ve done since I seriously picked up a camera two years ago. I wanted to highlight all of Diana’s qualities in the women I worked with, effectively boosting their confidence along with the confidence of the women (and men!) who happened to find my photos. This project would also showcase all her different looks, be it from the film, the comics, the animated series or concept work. You name it, I wanted to photograph it. Thus the WWxKtBe (Wonder Woman times Katie Be) project was born.

Since then I’ve done a handful of shoots for this project, which can be viewed here, and I’m looking to do more. So, if anyone reading this is interested don’t hesitate to reach out!

What is a cosplay photo shoot like for you? What do you try to get out of your photo shoots? I try to make my shoots as easy, comfortable and informal as possible. Usually it’s me and my subject on location during the early morning. The first few shots are always the most nerve wracking for me but once those have gone off, it’s off to the races. There’s something really special about the time in the middle of the shoot where both my subject and I are really gelling. That’s the sweet spot for me. It’s when the best photographs happen because the real personality of the cosplayer comes out. Long story short, it’s plain and simple magic.

Every shoot I do I try to capture the person’s essence. Sure, you can capture the same poses you see from promo photos released from the tv show/movie/video game but to me it’s boring. I want to see the light and determination in a Wonder Woman’s eye as she’s about to step onto No Man’s Land and I want to see the mischief in the set of Deadpool’s shoulders as he’s sneaking up to photobomb someone. THAT is what cosplay photography is all about for me. The emotion. You can have all the fancy gear in the world but if the face is expressionless the photo lacks.

What are your feelings about convention photography? What is your approach to it? I think convention photography is a skill in and of itself. There’s so much going on and there’s so many people milling around. You really have to understand your gear and how to properly use it because sometimes you only get less than a minute to get your shot. I personally found it difficult to get the space I need to take a shot with the equipment I use daily and that’s kind of frustrating. However, on the positive end of things, there are SO many fresh faces you can meet and network with. This past LA Comic Con I got the opportunity to photograph with a few people who follow me on Instagram as well as people I’ve never met before. Normally I’m more of a one-on-one, location shoot kind of girl but I’m hoping to get more and more comfortable shooting within the confines of a convention.

Doctor Strange Cosplay

Mera Cosplay

Merida & Ariel Cosplays

Brave Cosplay

Star Trek Cosplay

Wonder Woman Cosplay

Do you do other kinds of photography? I do! I’ve photographed weddings and families, headshots and landscapes. I love photographing everything and everyone!

What do you hope for the future of cosplay photography? I hope that the community continues to be inclusive no matter the skill set of the photographer and that more and more women start stepping behind the lens!

What new things can we hope to see from you in the coming year? More Wonder Woman shoots for sure. I also want to start stepping into fandoms I don’t normally photograph. I might not be familiar with the characters but that’s what makes it fun and challenging!

What advice do you have for new photographers out there? Keep photographing. Never STOP photographing. Take your friends out for mini shoots and practice, practice, practice. Look at what other photographers are doing and figure out what you like about their style and spin it to fit what you want your photographs to look like. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of other photographers and ask cosplayers to shoot with you. Watch as many youtube tutorials as possible. I’ve learned so much about editing from youtube it’s not even funny. Finally, just have fun, this is what art is all about, having fun!

Ariel & Merida Cosplay

Cosplay Fans

Steve Trevor Cosplay

TARDIS Cosplay

Star Trek Cosplays

LA LA Land & Up Cross Over Copslay

LA LA Land & Up Cross Over Copslay

Young Diana WW Cosplay

Young Diana WW Cosplay

Rapunzel Cosplay

Merida Cosplay

Bettlejuice Cosplay

Wonder Woman Cosplay

Doctor Who Cosplays

Clara Oswald Cosplay

  You can follow along with Katie’s adventures on her social media accounts: 

https://wwxktbeproject.tumblr.com

https://www.instagram.com/katiebe_photography/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/katiebephotography/

Cosplayers photographed above:

https://www.instagram.com/imaginedrealitiescosplay/

https://www.instagram.com/christina.is.crafty/

https://www.instagram.com/badmoosecosplay/

https://www.instagram.com/lotcosplay/

https://www.instagram.com/satinedice/

https://www.instagram.com/iamgeeklectic/

https://www.instagram.com/indymcfly/

https://www.instagram.com/thecurlydoctor/

https://www.instagram.com/juliajcosplay/

https://www.instagram.com/sylviaslays/

https://www.instagram.com/emma_bruton/

https://www.instagram.com/koruption_kosplay/

https://www.instagram.com/maryschwacher/

https://www.instagram.com/collectresscosplay/

https://www.instagram.com/thecollectedmutineer/

https://www.instagram.com/the_rose_explodes/

https://www.instagram.com/letdownyourgoldenhair/

https://www.instagram.com/young.fortinbras/

https://www.instagram.com/imperial_maddie/

https://www.instagram.com/cos_im_nikki/

https://www.instagram.com/miss_laneous/

https://www.instagram.com/dancingdragoncosplay/

https://www.instagram.com/spidermaiden/

    Q&A With Cosplay Photographer: Katie Be Photography Katie York is a photographer from Los Angeles, California. I first met Katie in early 2015 through the Doctor Who Community.

[nico-senpai-blog1]

Lolita Fashion - And What It Means To Me

Lolita, a street fashion from Japan, a fashion that has been overtaking my life for a couple months now yet I have yet to wear it right.

I’m still in school and kids aren’t mature in 8th grade so they make fun of you. I wore a tiara to school earlier in the school year and so many people commented on it and it was the sneering ‘princess’ type. 

Look bitch I’m the motherf***ing queen. 

But I haven’t worn lolita. I also can’t afford it so that’s fun. I tried making my own lolita dresses but I don’t like them that much.

The one time I did wear one of those to school was on the very first day of school which I wore without a petticoat (because I didn’t have one) and without socks. 

Basically it was a really crappily made dress because I sucked at sewing then, with one of those collared shirts. Not a blouse just a collared t-shirt. I wore normal shorts under it and like white canvas shoes I think. 

Thank god there are no one knew what lolita was and no one knew it wasn’t ‘right’ 

But I felt good in it. 

I eventually got a really itchy a-line petticoat that was wayyyyyy too long for lolita for my Jade Harley godtier cosplay. Its nice and all, but not lolita. I want to get a petticoat that is for lolita, but again. I have no money.

Or a job.

So I don’t wear lolita. I really want to. But I don’t for monetary reasons.

I also have really low confidence so that’s fun.. Recently I only fully told my Memaw I didn’t want to get made fun of in school because of what I wear, so I didn’t wear lolita because of that and she told me to just ignore them and wear what I want and feel good in.

So that helped a little. 

I still don’t wear it though. Because I don’t have money. I will probably after easter or so. I’ll get a dress then maybe. 

~Nico

[the-empress-7]

Okay, as someone who works in the fashion industry Meghan's clothing has always baffled me. She dresses like a woman who is 5'10 and a 120 pounds when she is clearly closer to the average woman which is normal and okay. She is a human being after all. What confuses me is that her clothes almost never fit, she dresses as if she has a long torso and her shoes tend to be too big making her already thin legs even thinner. Plus, she almost never wears anything custom (I think I saw her in custom outfits like 3 times) which is highly confusing and unlikely for a member of a royal family. CP Mary of Denmark, the Swedish Princesses, The Duchess of Cambridge, even Princess Eugenie wear a lot of custom clothing that mostly important fit them. The magazine I work for has had entire issues dedicated to royal fashion and since Meghan came along it has been rather rough.

Back to Meghan's choices. I think the biggest evidence is that she accepts designer freebies is the horrible way her clothing looks as if she borrowed it from her model friend. Like that black Givenchy piece that was bursting at the seams when she wore it. Horrible. Or that 99k beige caftan thing she wore in Morrocco. She probably has to return the stuff which is a freebie practise and an explanation why she very rarely rewears stuff. Her acccessories and jewellry baffle me too. She wears, small dainty jewellry. The thing about that kind of jewells is that they only look good on small, dainty people (example, Emilia Clarke and Lupita Nyong'o). Even her wedding dress didn't fit her which is again, such a red flag on her fiscal issues. One instance, my colleague pointed out how she almost never gets her hands on Diana's stuff or Crown property, which is again, strange. Like she got to wear some Diana's bangles and a ring that is not as half as famous as the engagement ring. I was told in 2018 not to point that out.

Another point are the shoes. She has a favourite brand, Aquazurra (which is notorious for their claims of going on vegan leather but just sticking to the real stuff) they made her wedding shoes and everything, yet she seems unable to find a pair that fits and keeps wearing pointed shoes which make her feet look giagantic. No one hates Meghan more than her stylist and makeup artist. She cosplays a lot too, which is so fucking funny because all of the women she copies (Jackie Kennedy, Princess Grace, Diana, Princess of Wales) had long torsos and were tall. I don't know if she has the wrong perception of her body or something but my coworkers, my boss and everyone else braces themself when they have to comment on Meghan because her fans will call you racist and horrible if you point out she is wearing something that has a wrong cut for her body type or if her plastic cow shoes are ugly. We are all convicted she is accepting freebies without purchasing them and our editor does not let us point that out nor reach out to designers for comments. I hate my job ugh.

Anon, welcome. This is a safe space. 

You are on the mark. She gets the sample sizes and squeezes herself into them, as a result we see every fold of her skin and every outline of her underwear. And the reason she wears shoes that look like boats on her feet is because she has bunions. You are correct, the only crown jewelry she has worn was the wedding tiara. If only she dressed for her bodytype, she’d look so much better. Take her wardrobe on Suits for example, those stylists clearly knew what they were doing.