Local photographers shoot cosplayers for UK magazine

Two student photographers have won a coveted chance at early fame – they have been asked to pitch photographs for a well-known British youth culture magazine.

The offer from internationally renowned photographer Derek Henderson, came after he spoke at the recent School of Media Arts Spark festival in Hamilton.

The two students, Evan Xiao and Amy Cammish, were chosen by Henderson at a workshop he held for budding photographers.

I.D. is a British magazine dedicated to youth culture, fashion, and art, that since the ‘80s has developed a reputation as a training ground for fresh talent.

Sydney-based Henderson said if the two students could impress him, he would recommend their work.

“They need to show me the photos they are going to take and then I can show them to the editor at I.D.,” Henderson said.

Students who attended Henderson’s Spark workshop had been told to bring their portfolios and the photographer immediately latched on to Evan’s work.

“Luckily I was sitting right in front of him and he liked my old pictures. And most of the other photographers didn’t chat with him at that time,” Xiao said.

Amy Cammish, got to team up with Evan for this project as she is into cosplay – the subject of the photography shoot.

Model Nathan Vandermaal, said cosplay is about dressing up as your favourite anime, sci-fi, comic or TV character.

Evan said the assignment brief is to shoot the characters in everyday surroundings.

“I want to shoot them doing things that normal people do, like walking around town, shopping, but wearing cosplay costumes.”

Amy, “a natural-born Harley Quinn”, who got to be the main model, asked her friends to pick their favourite cosplay costume and join the shoot.

Evan says he is still working on the final portfolio.

“When you shoot a new project you need to find the right angle to present it. I haven’t found that angle yet,” he said.

Locations for the photo shoot were a popular café in town, a book store, and Victoria Street.