10 Creative Portraits of Cosplayers Captured in an Editorial Style by a Fashion Photographer
In his series titled "Kids of Cosplay," the photographer captures portraits of cosplayers in their everyday settings.
Thurstan Redding had already built a career in fashion photography when cosplay suddenly caught his attention in the real world. A chance encounter in Los Angeles, then another on the DLR in London, pushed him toward a project that would look at costumed fans in a very different way.
That project became Kids of Cosplay, a three-year effort that places characters like Harley Quinn, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, and C-3PO in everyday settings instead of convention halls. The result makes the costumes feel even more striking, and a little surreal.
Redding’s portraits turn ordinary backdrops into part of the story, and that contrast is what makes the series stand out.
Harley Quinn from the Batman universe is seen staring out of a kitchen window
thurstanreddingAnd here, we have Spider-Man
thurstanreddingThe choice to photograph the cosplayers in unassuming areas adds an intriguing layer to the work. This is because we don’t expect to see individuals wearing full costumes in their regular daily lives.
It also serves as a way to honor the extraordinary costumes.
That contrast is doing a lot of the work here.
A group of Wonder Women in an empty field
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A group of C-3POs from the Star Wars franchise posing on the roadside next to an empty field
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"I also knew that I wasn’t particularly interested in creating a retrospective of my earlier work, as I really wanted to use the opportunity of working on a book to do something very focused and specific to a community," he added.
Like Tom Dobinson turning normal roadside stops into cinematic scenes, these cosplays feel editorial.
He kept the focus tight, and the project stayed personal.
The portraits of different cosplayers in everyday settings
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Here's another brilliant piece
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Redding chose the cosplayers for their wonderful outfits and required that the effort they put into their costumes matched the scenarios he placed them in. The outcome tells a story while putting the cosplay front and center.
I'm staring right at you...
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Oh, this is really creative
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I look to the stars...
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This is an amazing piece
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These portraits are undoubtedly creative and outstanding. As non-cosplayers, the photographer reminds us that "we are never too old to still be having fun."
So let’s do what we’re good at: appreciate those who bring forth their creative art for our entertainment and just have fun in general. Do share with your loved ones and check out Thurstan Redding on his Website and on Instagram.
These portraits make everyday places feel like part of a costume story.
For more, see small moments that turn everyday surprises into something unforgettable.
