WHERE COSPLAY REIGNS SUPREME!
2026 Show Dates TBA!
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
Congratulations to the 2025 Summer Winners
The Cosplay World Photography Contest is an opportunity for Photographers to submit their best photographs of Cosplayers.
The Contest is broken down into multiple categories. You can submit multiple images, as long as each image matches that category requirements. No single image can be submitted to multiple categories.
FREE ENTRY, only 1 photo per category!
GENERAL CONTEST RULES
- All images must not show any lewd, nude or sexual acts and must maintain a PG-13 or lower rating. Any images that are deemed not to meet these qualifications will be disqualified from the contest.
- All images submitted must have been photographed within the past year (April 2nd 2025 - April 30th, 2026).
- The image(s) submitted must have been photographed by the individual submitting the image. This includes images submitted in the composite image category. You can not submit an image that you edited that was photographed by someone else. If you submit an image that is not yours, you will be disqualified from the competition and will not be allowed to compete again.
- All images submitted will require a model release from the cosplayer(s) pictured in the image. If the cosplayer is a minor their legal guardian will sign the release.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
After the submission deadline of May 1st, 2026. A panel of cosplay photography judges will review all the images in each category and then vote on the winners. Judges' Decisions for 1st Place and Runner-Up within each category will be announced in June. The finalists from each category will be showcased on Cosplay World social media .
CATEGORIES
NATURAL LIGHT IMAGE
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Image taken outside or with natural light
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Fill flash and reflector is allowed in this image category
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Images can not be digitally composited or additional fx added
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Images can include basic enhancements to cosplayer and image adjustment
DIGITAL EDIT - ADVANCED
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A full digital composite image to include but not limited to a new background, environmental elements and other special FX
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Original Image and elements used for composite are required for submission
DIGITAL EDIT - BASIC FX
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Includes adding special FX and atmosphere elements to existing image without removing original background
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Includes enhancements on cosplayer to enhance the photo
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Includes any additional color grading or lighting effects to image
CREATIVE STUDIO LIGHTING
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Images that utilize creative lighting such as strobes with gels, colored continuous lighting or manipulating natural lighting
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Images can have basic retouching done and basic image adjustments
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Image taken in a studio environment
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Images can not be digitally composited or additional fx added
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Images can include basic enhancements to cosplayer and image adjustments
PRIZES
BEST NATURAL LIGHT
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16x20 Canvas Print of your Image displayed during the show.
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$100 Cash Prize
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VIP Weekend Passes to Cosplay World Richmond
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MagMod - Mag Starter Kit
BEST DIGITAL EDIT - ADVANCED
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16x20 Canvas Print of your Image displayed during the show.
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$100 Cash Prize
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VIP Weekend Passes to Cosplay World Richmond
BEST DIGITAL EDIT - BASIC
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16x20 Canvas Print of your Image displayed during the show.
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$100 Cash Prize
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VIP Weekend Passes to Cosplay World Richmond
BEST CREATIVE STUDIO LIGHTING
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16x20 Canvas Print of your Image displayed during the show.
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$100 Cash Prize
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VIP Weekend Passes to Cosplay World Richmond
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Submission Requirements
For all categories the image resolution needs to be high enough to possibly be printed up to a 16x20 image to be on display during the Cosplay World Convention.
For the Best Cosplay Composite Image please submit a gallery display of the images used to complete the composite to include the original image.
HOW TO SUBMIT
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Fill out online submission form.
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Upload High-Res images (if file is too large, provide link to Dropbox, Google Drive, etc).
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Ensure that you have the cosplayer information as well to give credit to the cosplayers.