Who will judge your photos? Meet the jury of Cosplay Photo!
11 April 2026
Cosplay is more than just costumes and stage performance, it’s also the art of capturing the character in a picture. Emotions, light, set design and the perfect moment may turn a photo into more than a mere picture – it can tell a story. This is the artform we celebrate in our Cosplay Photo contest, which for years has attracted both photographers and cosplayers who want to showcase their project in a completely new light. The contest is for those who can combine technical kills with artistic vision and encapsulate the magic of cosplay in one frame. That’s why the judging process requires exceptional experience and sensitivity – and the jury we’re about to introduce will take care of that!
Meet the experts of cosplay photography – the judges of the Cosplay Photo contest
Pugoffka – a cosplayer and photographer from Ukraine. Her journey with photography began in 2009 and since then she has done thousands of photoshoots. Thanks to her work, she had a chance to travel around the world and take part in over 70 international events as an invited guest.
Apart from taking pictures, she also loves sharing what she knows. Pugoffka regularly teaches photography classes, driven by her passion for sharing her experience and inspiring others to develop their own creative paths. She loves to create her own costumes, working with materials such as EVA foam while building props and elements of armour. She is also developing her skills in exploring various painting techniques and wig styling.
She owns a photography studio for cosplayers, where she constantly develops new sets and locations to help creators realise their vision in the form of photography. She actively promotes cosplay both in Ukraine and abroad.
Natalia Zahora – a cosplay photographer, for many years involved in the manga and fantasy communities. She began in 2004 as a cosplayer, but over time, she became increasingly interested in photography, and that hobby evolved into taking pictures of other creators. Throughout the years, she was also involved in the fandom: co-organizing manga conventions and judging cosplay and cosplay photography competitions.
In 2008, Zahora with her husband started the first cosplay photostudio in Poland that operates at conventions. Now she is working as a graphic designer and photographer, continuing to take pictures of cosplay, where she combines her experience as a cosplayer with the eye of a visual artist. This allows her to capture not only the costume, but also the atmosphere and story of her subject. Her work can be viewed across social media.
Omaru – also known as James, is a Filipino photographer and videographer based in Paris, France. Since discovering his passion for photography in 2008, he has dedicated himself to capturing authentic and dynamic visual stories through both photo and video.
Actively involved in the French cosplay community since 2009, Omaru began producing cosplay videos in 2010, creating a body of work that has reached wide audiences and gained strong recognition over the years.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with major gaming brands such as Riot Games, Bethesda, Ubisoft, and Activision Blizzard, delivering high-quality visual content that blends creativity with strong brand identity.
Now working as a freelance creative across France and Europe, he continues to partner with brands and artists to produce compelling imagery. Known for his signature use of natural light, his style combines atmosphere, emotion, and realism — bringing each subject to life with a cinematic touch.
Always seeking new inspiration, Omaru regularly attends major European and international conventions to explore and document the ever-evolving global cosplay scene.
Cosplay magic captured in a picture
The Cosplay Photo contest is more than just a competition – above all it’s an opportunity to showcase your artistic sensitivity, your ability to tell a story through images and to capture what’s most important in cosplay – passion and feelings. Your work will be supervised by artists who are expert in both photographic and creative aspects of cosplay. Their experience, diverse approaches, and international perspective ensure you can count on a reliable and inspiring evaluation.
And we can’t wait to see your work! Whether you’re behind the lens or in front of it – show us your own world of cosplay. See you at Pyrkon!
Agnieszka Mróz
Osoba pogrążona we własnych myślach, którą tylko nieliczni potrafią zrozumieć. Kocha książki, mangi i anime. Czytanie rozbudziło w niej miłość do pisania. Bujna wyobraźnia i uwielbienie fantastyki doprowadziły do tego, że chce zyskać moc kreowania nowych światów, w których można spotkać ulubionych bohaterów.