Luis
Carnival of Masks presents Western Massachusetts based cosplay photographer, Luis Correa, as part of our Beyond the Carnival: Interviews with Costume Folks Around the World series.
"One of my more recent cosplay photos. Model - Miss Molly."
CoM: Luis, tell us about what you do.
LC: I am a cosplay photographer. I provide the ability for cosplayers to capture their art and I do not charge for services as it is a vehicle for me to express myself through my work and their costumes. I currently only use instagram for my work. I aim to develop a website in the future to further showcase my work and develop a proper portfolio. I also make costumes. And I work in healthcare, visiting people’s homes and setting up programs that provide home assistance and care.
CoM: What inspires you?
LC: That's a great question - I had a difficult childhood with gangs and violence. Initially what nurtured the spark had been a choice of mine to participate in some Shakespeare plays that I had been talked into by some student teachers at my middle school. It had been a way to sort of guide me away from the path my older brother had taken. I recall my first role had been Bottom the Weaver from Midsummers night dream and included some costumes that we had to put together due to a shoestring budget.
I enjoyed the whole process and in high school I continued to participate in plays and help with costuming. It started to motivate me to make some costumes and I started with some anime ones. At one point I cosplayed the monster Nemesis from Resident Evil 3 and I had a lot of people really cheer me on when they saw it.
“Myself as Gang Orca from My Hero Academia.”
CoM: How did your life in costumes begin??
LC: Almost 30 years ago a friend invited me to an anime convention. Anime Boston if I recall. And I saw the cosplayers and just really fell in love with the community and how amazing it all was.
CoM: Are there costumed events you make sure to never miss? And if so, what do you love about them?
LC: I've attended many costumed events over the years. After COVID it really slowed down conventions and changed the landscape. I tend to go to more local conventions in MA like Fan Expo Boston.
But I do make a trip to Atlanta for Dragoncon. It's one of the biggest conventions in the US. If not THE biggest. And it’s an incredible experience. A lot of people consider it a sort of pilgrimage to go there.
My other favorite would be Colossalcon/east as it's a convention held at a resort and has a massive water park so it's a lot of fun. And if you don’t feel like cosplaying or attending the convention for a day, you can still enjoy the resort and the water park.
CoM: What's your favorite thing about costumes?
LC: I love making them, working with friends on them and bonding over them. For me on a personal level it helps to have me refocus on myself. As a professional in healthcare, I spend so much time professional masking for my consumers. Having to maintain that demeanor in person and on the phone starts to create a doubt as to when that ends and I begin.
When I cosplay it feels like a way to be more of my authentic self and helps to ground me. Many BIPOC people like myself have to mask at work, out in the world, and many other social events. Being able to discard that mask to wear one that I want to wear provides such a release of energy.
“My friends and I as Lethal Company Employees.”
CoM: Anything else you’d like to share with us?
LC: While I make less costumes nowadays I do cosplay photography as a hobby. I do not charge for my work as I just enjoy being artistically creative and capturing other peoples costumes/cosplay ideas.
CoM: Who are some cosplayers you love in the costume world?
LC: I would recommend my close friend Space Lion Cosplay as they are an incredible cosplayer that puts so much effort into their costumes.
My friend Yee is also an incredible cosplayer who works really hard on her social media and costumes. She has knitted so many outfits and they all look wonderful.
Lady Cels works with children on costumes, has developed programs and is an award winning costumer who works her butt off. She's an inspiration in the community.
Miss Molly is an incredible cosplayer that is also a librarian and creates programs at her local library to help inspire kids to read and interact with cosplayers who dress up for the events as heroes.
Her husband, Mark, is also a cosplayer that is warm and open. He makes amazing costumes and is someone who is very kind and willing to help fellow cosplayers.
MissFired is another friend of mine that makes amazingly accurate cosplays that she works very hard on.
Emmy Bodt - Not only does she make amazing costumes but she runs her own princess company where she hires performers to go to kids parties to entertain and engage with them in many meaningful ways.
CoM: Thanks so much, Luis! Way to give back to your community with these shoutouts, love to see it!
WANT TO SHARE YOUR COSTUME STORY?