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Erik considers himself a well rounded photographer with a diverse portfolio of headshots, theatre, boudoir, travel and other subjects he's shot for many years. His excitement for cosplay and the different fandom is long and diverse as well. Though he was away in Japan during the first Cosmeetup, Erik got involved as an event organizer with Eddie for the Chinatown meetup because he lived nearby and knew the neighborhood. He is proud on how this community has grown and excited to see what comes next.

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A musician with a photography problem, Michael has been in Chicago’s geek scene since 2010 playing in bands like Time Crash and Fantastic Mammals. Today, he’s better known as Raptor Photo, working with hotels, stand-up clubs, cosplay, fashion, live events, and more.

His foray into cosplay photography came after 2017 filming CMVs and photographing cosplayers, when a chance encounter led him to coordinate some of CosMeetUp’s first events in 2019! He likes working with off-camera flash and has never encountered a special effects edit he couldn’t figure out. Michael is also a leading authority on how-to-make-lightsabers-look-real, which doesn’t get you as many jobs as you’d think.

Watching this group grow has been a highlight for him, and he’s excited to see what’s next!

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Alter Ego Character: Mara Jade

Laura has been cosplaying since 2010 and has developed an expertise in sewing, leatherworking, painting, and jack-of-all-trades crafting. IRL She is an internet marketer who lives in Lincoln Park with Raptor and their pets Ty Lee & Topanga. She loves writing, painting, gardening, and being outdoors. She’s worked on the CosMeetUp Leadership Team since 2019 and has gained much joy from watching the ragtag group grow into the fully-formed crew it is today.

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Carlos is a self-taught photographer based in the Chicagoland area. He is passionate about his craft, both as a means of running his business and as a form of art. His unique perspective and dedication to his work have made him a sought-after photographer in the area. Known for his intentional and well-balanced lighting techniques, Carlos boasts a strong portfolio of headshots and portraits.

In addition to his portrait work, Carlos's love for all things comic and gaming related led him to develop a love for cosplay photography. He has a talent for capturing stunning images that showcase his subjects in their cosplay elements, bringing their costumes and characters to life. His focus on producing beautiful, thought-provoking pieces for his clients showcases his dedication to his craft.

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Current Obsession: Stranger Things

Megan has been in cosplay since her nerdy mother could put her in costumes as a baby! This love of all things geek has been a constant throughout her life; whether at Conventions, Bristol Renaissance Faire, Halloween and even in Professional and Volunteer events, she has always expressed herself through her passions. In her everyday life, Megan is a Graphic Designer and Acrylic Painter who has been commissioned and featured by some big names in the Youtube community (Game Grumps, Jacksepticeye, NSP, etc..). She was first introduced to Cosplay events in 2014 and joined the CosMeetUp Chicago Leadership team in 2019. She is often in cosplay at events, but always available to help members in need!

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Izzy has been cosplaying as long as they can remember but started focusing on their craft in 2017. They have grown their skills as a cosplayer learning new techniques and creating characters from different medias and genres. They have always love the community that they found while exploring the creative world of cosplay. They first attended a CosMeetUp event in December 2019 and was blown away from the amount of fun and joy it brought to them. In July of 2020 they were on honored to assist in running the two day summer event at Lincoln Park. Shortly after the event they officially joined the Cosmeetup Leadership Team.

Izzy continues to grow her portfolio not only as a cosplayer but also as a model. They love expressing themselves through the different types of media the photography can offer. They hope to continue to support and encourage those around them to push their creative boundaries and enjoy what they love.

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Fun fact: Hayley used to run an Animal Crossing fan page with over 80,000 followers!

Hayley has been involved with photography since she started in a darkroom in high school, and hasn’t put the camera down since. She has always been interested in costuming and productions, which naturally evolved in college into experimenting with cosplay and photography together. Hayley joined CosMeetUp Chicago from the very first meetup and was officially added to the team in late 2021. She enjoys working with cosplayers from every walk of life and giving everyone the opportunity to feel beautiful. Hayley is a full time published photographer in the Chicagoland area who loves to work with cosplayers. She specializes in creative portrait photography; as well as boudoir, fashion, events, and families.