CONVENTION TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

Here are some of the tips for cosplay beginners to ensure that you have an amazing experience in your first convention and others that you will attend in future.

NEVER GO ALONE

For minors it is very important that you go to conventions with someone like a parent/friend preferably somebody who is older because it is just not necessarily the safest environment to be going by yourself. I'm not saying that cons are dangerous but there are sometimes sketchy people at conventions and it is very important to be in a group for safety purposes. Certain conventions do have age restrictions meaning that you have to have somebody older with you if you are under a certain age.

Whether it is required by a convention or not it is important to go to a convention with a parent/friend. Aside from safety, this is also going to make your experience better. Being at a convention can be a very overwhelming experience and being there by yourself can be overwhelming. It is better to have people with you so as to make it a more fun and easier experience.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO A CONVENTION WEARING COSPLAY

It is not a requirement to go to a convention in cosplay and you can totally go in casual clothes. Even if you bring a cosplay with you and you plan to wear it and then the day of the convention comes and you feel too tired or overwhelmed, you don't have to wear that cosplay. Don't feel like you are pressured to cosplay.

It is certainly a very fun experience to get to cosplay at a convention but if it is not something that you are interested in you can totally forego it as well and you can still have a really great experience.

STAY HYDRATED AND STAY FED

This is very important and it is very easy to lose track of this when you are at a convention. Make sure you bring a refillable water bottle and snacks to a convention and make sure to take the time to sit down and actually eat and drink and making sure that you are properly taken care of.

Also make sure that you are researching food in the area of the convention. Convention food is usually very overpriced so make sure that you research food options outside of the convention area.

TRY TO EXPERIENCE MANY DIFFERENT THINGS AT THE CONVENTION

There are lots of different things to do at a convention and where possible don't overwhelm yourself but where possible try to experience as many different things at the convention as you possibly can. Try going to competitions and watching competitions, the gaming room, where they sell art or doing photo shoots outside.

Check out the programme guide that each convention has to see what different activities there are to do and just try to experience as much of it as you possibly can because then you are going to get a better idea of what you enjoy doing at conventions so that your next time at a convention you are going to have a clear idea of what you want to do and you can therefore focus on those things.

JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY IS TAKING YOUR PHOTO DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO DO

WHAT THEY SAY

Just because somebody asks you for a photo doesn't mean you have to say yes to it. If you are not feeling comfortable with your photo being taken you are totally within your right to say no. Your well-being and your comfort is what's most important and it doesn't matter what the other person feels.

If you are collaborating with a photographer and they are taking your photo and they ask you to do a pose that you are not comfortable with you are completely within your right to say no. Do not worry about sparing their feelings just worry about your own comfort and safety. These things do happen from time to time so it is important to be aware of it.

WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO PHOTO SHOOTS MAKE SURE YOU ARE BRINGING SOMEBODY WITH YOU

Preferably bring somebody older than you to a photoshoot for your own comfort and safety so in case the photographer turns out to be creepy you will have somebody there for the sake of safety and maybe if you are not feeling comfortable saying no that person can step in and say no for you.

Most photographers are fine but there are some who re not good so this is just an important thing to be aware of and to be prepared for. Like I said, conventions for the most part are very safe places but sometimes there are creepy people.

IF ANYBODY IS MAKING YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, AVOID THEM

If anybody is making you feel uncomfortable for whatever reason, always trust your gut and get yourself out of that situation by whatever means necessary. You can excuse yourself or tell a lie and do not worry about the other person's feelings. Your safety and feeling comfortable is what is most important. Make sure to have somebody with you because if maybe you are not able to think of a way to get yourself out of that situation that other person will be able to help you.

With this tips you will be able to have an amazing experience in the conventions you attend.