CosplayShots is home to Sacramento, CA based Cosplay and Convention photographer Maxim Stensel, also known as “Max Archer”.
See the contact page if you’re interested setting up a shoot.
CosplayShots uses Nikon equipment, including a D300s Digital SLR, and illuminates the scene with Calumet Genesis lighting equipment. Images are processed and edited on a Mac with a professional color-calibrated display.
Maxim’s professional and artistic photography portfolio can be seen at MaximStensel.com.
Background
I am an active professional photographer and journalist, with a specialty in event photography. I strive to carry my professionalism over to the work I do with the cosplay community, however, cosplay and convention photography is my hobby, just as cosplay might be yours, and therefore I do not charge or expect any other form of compensation for shoots or coverage that I do at conventions. I’m doing this because it’s fun, and because I like meeting and working with people in the cosplay community. I’m also open to shoots outside conventions, and those will vary from no compensation if possible, to minor coverage of expenses if necessary. I’m located in the Sacramento area of Northern California, and travel frequently to the Bay Area. I’m originally from Los Angles, so I make less-frequent trips to SoCal, as well.
Photographic information
I’m open to a wide variety of shoot types and styles. I lean toward “location” shoots, which can be as simple as finding a nice corner at a convention, or as elaborate as travelling to a remote location for shots with interesting architecture or natural scenery. I prefer a “pure” style of photography, where the visual interest is created with camera work and by the subject, but don’t completely discount the use of creative post-processing (photoshop) – it’s my opinion that a good “natural” shot is critical to making a great final product. I can work with a range of group sizes, from individual cosplayers to large groups, and will ensure that individual members of a group will get the personal coverage they need, in addition to photography of the whole group. I use professional equipment, and given the facilities, I can set up a studio-quality lighting setup.
About Me
I’ve been working as a photographer for the past five years, and shot as a hobby for almost a decade before that. When my camera’s not slung over my shoulder (a few full-day events will make it obvious why it’s not around my neck!), I might be working on some cosplay of my own, keeping up on the automotive world (one of the major foci of my mainstream photography), watching Chinese martial arts movies (I prefer the historical kind), gaming with friends on Xbox Live, or, of course, watching anime.
