A Third Year at ShiroCo
With ShiroCo 2025, I attended the convention for the third time in a row — and just like in the previous years, I had my own artist booth there.
For me, this makes the experience quite different from simply visiting as a photographer. Having a booth means being able to present my photography work directly, including my artbooks, prints, and some of my other creative projects such as my Daruma coin series.
It’s always interesting to see how people react to the work in person. Conversations at conventions often lead to unexpected encounters — sometimes with collectors, sometimes with cosplayers interested in collaborations, and sometimes simply with curious visitors who stop by because a particular photo caught their attention.
ShiroCo has therefore become an important event in my annual convention schedule.
How I First Discovered ShiroCo
Interestingly, I first heard about ShiroCo during AniMC 2023. Both conventions share the same organizer — which explains the similar atmosphere and strong community focus.
After learning about ShiroCo at AniMC, I decided to visit later that same year.
That first visit in 2023 immediately convinced me to come back.
Since then, I have attended every year, always with a booth presenting my photography projects.
From Power Plant to Large Convention
While AniMC takes place in the Kraftwerk Chemnitz, ShiroCo is the organizer’s larger and more ambitious convention.
The event has grown steadily and now attracts a much broader audience of fans interested in:
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anime
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manga
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cosplay
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gaming
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Japanese pop culture
Compared to smaller local meetups, ShiroCo feels more like a full convention experience, with multiple program areas, stage events, and a wide range of exhibitors.
Artist booths and merchandise stands fill the halls, while various activities run throughout the day.
One particularly popular program element are the autograph sessions with voice actors. In previous editions, visitors had the chance to meet German voice actors from the anime One Piece and other well-known series. Even though those guest appearances are a highlight for many visitors, my own focus during the convention is usually somewhere else.
Cosplay Photography Remains the Main Attraction
As much as I enjoy presenting my photography work at the booth, the main reason I attend conventions like ShiroCo remains the same:
Cosplay photography.
Conventions bring together a wide range of creative costumes and passionate fans, which creates endless opportunities for interesting portraits and collaborations.
Between managing the booth and exploring the convention floor, I usually try to squeeze in as many cosplay shoots as possible. Even quick spontaneous portrait sessions can lead to surprisingly strong results.
Over the years ShiroCo has introduced me to many new cosplayers, some of whom I later worked with again on other projects.
The Artist Booth Experience
Running an artist booth during a convention adds an entirely different layer to the event.
Instead of simply walking around with a camera, the booth becomes a small exhibition space where visitors can discover my work in a curated form.
This includes:
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photography artbooks featuring cosplay portraits
Japan artbooks with many of my stories from Hokkaido to Okinawa
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selected photo prints
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and special projects like the Daruma coin series
The coins, inspired by the traditional Japanese Daruma symbol of perseverance and goal-setting, often attract curiosity because they stand out among the more typical convention merchandise.
Many visitors are surprised to see such a combination of photography, artbooks, and collectible coins at a convention booth.
But that mixture of creative projects is exactly what makes presenting them at events like ShiroCo so enjoyable.
A Look Back: ShiroCo 2023–2025
This section is perfect for showcasing some of the most memorable cosplay portraits from the past three years. Comparing the images also highlights how both the convention and the cosplay scene around it have continued to grow.
Community, Creativity, and Continuity
One of the most appealing aspects of ShiroCo is the community atmosphere.
Despite its growth, the convention still retains a welcoming and approachable vibe. Many visitors return every year, which means you often meet familiar faces again.
For photographers and cosplayers alike, this continuity makes it easier to build long-term creative relationships.
Each year brings new costumes, new projects, and new opportunities for collaboration.
Looking Ahead
After three consecutive years, ShiroCo has firmly established itself as a reliable highlight in my convention calendar.
The combination of:
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a friendly community
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interesting guests
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creative cosplay
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and the opportunity to present my own work through an artist booth
makes the event particularly rewarding.
If the past three years are any indication, I will almost certainly be back again next year — camera ready and booth prepared.
