featured cosplayer: zaphacosplay

YES it’s time for another featured cosplayer! This one is ESPECIALLY cool because they’re not from anywhere around here, they’re from rather far away in the Netherlands and it constantly blows my mind that cosplay is currently a worldwide phenomenon. I met them on Cosplay Amino, an app for cosplayers from all over the world to chat with each other. ZaphaCosplay is what they go by, and they were kind enough to answer some questions for me. Judging by the answers, we’re a lot alike. Enjoy!

1. How Long Have You Been Cosplaying?
I cosplay for almost 3 years, but the first year I didn’t know what I was doing. Only after a full year I started to get an idea of what I was doing, and met people who could help me. Since then I’ve been improving a lot!
2.Why do you Cosplay?
Mostly because I wanted a hobby that suited me, and kept me interested. I really enjoy being busy with your costume and latet getting to see the resulta in a photoshoot. Also I’ve a lot of friends, what I find the best part of it.
3. Is cosplay something you plan on doing for the rest of your life, or is it just a fun hobby for now?
Yes, I hope so. I’ve also seen a lot of parents with their childeren cosplaying, and that just looks adorable and fun.
4. What was your first convention?
My first ever convention was the first edition of Dutch Comic Con, it was a lot of fun but a bit disorganized back then.

5. Do you ever have to deal with negative feedback towards your cosplays, and if so, how do you deal with it?
Not really, no. Which I am glad about. But if I ever did; the way I would response to it depends on the comment. If it’s a hate comment I will just ignore it, but if it’s constructive criticism I will take their opinion into thoughts.

6. When people tell you they love your cosplays, how do you respond?
I will just be awkward and suprised, I probably start stuttering.

7. What’s the most recent convention you’ve attended?
Also a Dutch Comic Con but this time the Christmas edition, and I have to say that it was calm. Their weren’t many people, which was really nice. It meant you had all the time in the world to check out the stands, without being pushed around.
8. What’s your least favorite part of cosplaying?
I’ve a few things that I dislike, which are untangling long wigs, pricking yourself with a needle and sometimes the stress it brings.
9. Favorite part of cosplaying?
My favorite is making new friends! Yes, I like photoshoots. But they aren’t much fun without friends. Also the reaction if people in you’re travelling with public transport. I even was once chased by a little girl who wanted to take a picture with me, she was so happy to see a pirate. That was one of the cutest moments in my life.
10. Do you tend to stay in character in your cosplays?
I try, and fail horribly…
11. Do you cosplay outside of conventions?
Yes, my friends and I often do photoshoots ourselves.
12. What’s the cosplay you’ve worked hardest on?
Right now I am working on Bunnymund/ the Easter Bunny from Rise of the Guardians, and it’s the hardest I’ve been working on so far.
13. Easiest cosplay to make?
My nyo!Germany, all I had to do was paint some parts of a coat bllack and stitch a few white edges.
14. Have you ever entered any contests/do you hope to?
Yes, but never again. I love cosplaying, but have a bit of stage fright. But wants one of my friends to enter a contest with me, and he will drag me on stage if he has to…
15. Next Convention?
My next convention will be YaYcon in february, which I am really excited about!