When it comes to horror cosplay, there are a few things that beginners need to keep in mind. If you want your next costume venture to be successful, then you'll want to learn from the pros and avoid some common problems. Fortunately for you, we've compiled this list of tips for all those aspiring horror cosplayers out there!


Learn and understand the character you want to cosplay.

If you want to be successful at cosplaying a horror character, the first thing you should do is do your research. The more familiar you are with the character, the better able you'll be to portray it accurately.

Here are some questions that will help give yourself an idea of what kind of person your character is:

  • What is their personality like?
  • What's their backstory?
  • What are their motivations?
  • What are their likes and dislikes?
  • Are they strong or weak physically/mentally/emotionally?

Learn and understand the world they live in.

  • Learn and understand the world they live in.
  • Know their story, know the characters and their relationships to one another, know what’s important to them, know what they stand for.
  • Understand the setting of your character in relation to our world today; what would that look like? For example: if you were cosplaying someone from a post-apocalyptic future where most people are dead or starving, but there are still big cities with skyscrapers—how would those cities be different than ours now? Would money still be worth something? How does society function without electricity?


Don’t waste money on expensive costume props.

The first thing you need to keep in mind when thinking about your next cosplay is that many store-bought props are overpriced. The trick is to find a balance between going all out and cutting corners, so here are some tips for finding cheap costumes props:

  • Make your own. If you can sew, this is the best way to go because it will save you lots of money and give you more creative freedom than buying something pre-made. Plus, if the fabric isn’t right or the fit isn’t quite right for your body type (which happens often), then making your own costume will let you tweak things until they look just right!
  • Shop online at places like Amazon or Etsy (or even eBay) – these sites have deals on both new and used items that won't break the bank!
  • Thrift stores are great for finding cheap prices on old items like jewelry pieces and gloves - but be careful when buying clothes off thrift racks because sometimes they might not fit well enough unless they were made specifically for someone else's body type like mine was not made for yours so I am warning against doing so unless it makes sense based upon measurements given beforehand as well as other factors such as size restrictions imposed by each individual business itself."

Avoid cosplaying a character that could be offensive to other people.

Avoid cosplaying a character that could be offensive to other people.

Instead, try to choose characters that are popular and not too controversial.


Be creative when choosing a character.

When choosing a character for your next cosplay, consider these tips:

  • Be creative when choosing a character. You need to find something that’s both unique and interesting—a character that you can passionately portray. Look for something that is relatable, easy to cosplay and won’t require too much time or effort to pull off.
  • Remember, being creative goes beyond just finding ways to make an outfit fit your body type without spending huge amounts of money! It also means finding ways you can make your character come alive through your performance in a way others haven't seen before!

Be mindful of your body type and be flexible with your cosplay.

Now that you have your character and costume in mind, it's time to start thinking about how this all works with your body type. If you don't have a body type that's similar to the character's, ask yourself if there are any ways you can make adjustments to the cosplay so that your appearance works better with what you've got going on below the neck. You can always alter things like shoes or accessories to make them fit better with your look.

If all else fails and none of these options work for you, don't be afraid to ask for help! There are plenty of cosplayers out there who would be happy to help modify an existing piece or even create something new just for your needs (see #5).


Use makeup and body paint to enhance your look.

Paint is a great way to add detail, but it's also useful for making your costume more realistic. You can use paint to create scars or injuries, as well as freckles and moles. You can also use makeup and body paint to enhance your look. For example, if you're going for an alien or mummy look, try using green face paint around the eyes or mouth area in order to give yourself a more horrific appearance!


If you've never used makeup before, don't worry—there are plenty of tutorials online with step-by-step instructions on how to apply different types of eye shadow and lipstick colors; there are even videos showing how people achieve certain looks like zombie skin tone (pale) or vampire fangs (red). After watching these tutorials a few times over until they become second nature (or third nature), practice applying them on yourself so that when Halloween comes around again next year - it won't be scary at all because now YOU know exactly what needs done!!


When in doubt, ask for help from a seasoned horror fan or a professional cosplayer.

In the end, it’s important to remember that cosplaying is a process. It takes time and patience, but if you can get through it, the reward of a killer costume is unforgettable. So when in doubt, ask for help from another seasoned horror fan or a professional cosplayer. They can help you with the character, the world and costuming (and avoid offensive characters). If all else fails, keep your eyes peeled for any upcoming conventions that are taking place nearby!


If you keep certain things in mind as you're planning, you'll have a better time at it in the end.

  • If you're new to cosplay and have never made a costume before, the best way to get started is with something simple.
  • That said, if you are new to cosplay and don't know what character to do, choose a character who requires minimal sewing skills or materials that can be found easily at your local craft store or party supply store (like balloons).
  • If you've been cosplaying for years but still find yourself struggling with how to make your next horror costume successful, start with something easy like an existing pattern that already exists in large quantities by other people online or in stores; this will help save money on materials while also saving time since all measurements have already been taken care of by someone else who has done it before!


If you keep these tips in mind, it’ll be easier to find a cosplay that works for you and your budget. There are so many different horror characters out there, so don’t limit yourself! Remember that cosplaying is all about having fun. If someone gives you a hard time about your costume or tells you it’s offensive, don't let it get to you—there are plenty of other people who will appreciate what goes into making such an elaborate outfit. And most importantly: Have fun!

If you're interested in learning more about our cosplay photography, please contact us today! We'd be happy to chat with you about our packages and discounts. Thank you for reading!


Cosplay photography by Fungirlwithacamera Photography


Hope from Fungirlwithacamera Photography specializes in Cosplay photography.


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