EP 20 - Inside Secret Con

EP 21 - Picvetia That's A Wrap

Picvetia 2026 was more than just a cosplay photography event — it was a full creative challenge across Switzerland, packed with stunning locations, travel planning, shoot logistics, collaboration, self-doubt, teamwork, and some seriously inspiring cosplay photography. In this episode of Cosplay, Togs & All Things Nerdy, we sit down for a full Picvetia debrief from a UK photographer’s point of view. We talk about getting accepted, travelling abroad for a European photocon, planning shoots, scouting locations, working with cosplayers and assistants, managing pressure, using natural light and creative lighting, editing after the event, and what we would do differently next time. A useful listen for cosplay photographers, cosplayers, assistants, and anyone thinking about applying for Picvetia or another European photo-focused cosplay event. Guests: James - jrecosplayphotography - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jrecosplayphotography/ [https://www.instagram.com/jrecosplayphotography/] Michael - michaelwlach. cosplaytog - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/michaelwlach.cosplaytog/ [https://www.instagram.com/michaelwlach.cosplaytog/] Hosts: Darren - iPhotoUK - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/iphotouk/ [https://www.instagram.com/iphotouk/] Tom - Switch Photography - Insta: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/switch_8.9/⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/switch_8.9/] Podcast Socials: LinkTree: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/CosplayTogsAndAllThingsNerdy?utm_source=linktree_profile_share⁠ [https://linktr.ee/CosplayTogsAndAllThingsNerdy?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=adde6ee7-75be-4b74-a829-fb406f933f8c] COSPLAYER CREDITS Cosplayers who worked with Michael Wlach Photography: cylliaenez - Insta: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cylliaenez/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/cylliaenez/] monochrome.marionette - Insta: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/monochrome.marionette/ [https://www.instagram.com/monochrome.marionette/] ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/monochrome.marionette/]hitsugi_cosplay - Insta: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hitsugi_cosplay/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/hitsugi_cosplay/] lady.angie - Insta: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/lady.angie/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lady.angie/] layrena_ - Insta: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/layrena_/ [https://www.instagram.com/layrena_/] ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/layrena_/]lady.lunaria - Insta: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/lady.lunaria/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lady.lunaria/] bumblebee.t - Insta: ⁠h⁠phy⁠ttps://www.instagram.com/bumble.bee.t/⁠ [⁠h⁠phy⁠ttps://www.instagram.com/bumble.bee.t/⁠] tammylestrange - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/tammy.lestrange/ [https://www.instagram.com/tammy.lestrange/] narya_cosplay - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/narya_cosplay/ [https://www.instagram.com/narya_cosplay/] i.am.lidu - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/i.am.lidu/ [https://www.instagram.com/i.am.lidu/] Cosplayers who worked with James / JRE Cosplay Photography: keyuricosplay - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/keyuricosplay/ [https://www.instagram.com/keyuricosplay/] kuro_chu - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/kuro_chu/ [https://www.instagram.com/kuro_chu/] its_antartide - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/its_antartide/ [https://www.instagram.com/its_antartide/] renee.phantomhive - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/renee.phantomhive/ [https://www.instagram.com/renee.phantomhive/] kujakuhime - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/kujakuhime/ [https://www.instagram.com/kujakuhime/] lady.angie - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/lady.angie/ [https://www.instagram.com/lady.angie/] _witchling_ - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/_witchling_/ [https://www.instagram.com/_witchling_/] sunni.cos - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/sunni.cos/ [https://www.instagram.com/sunni.cos/] marie_scarletto - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/marie_scarletto/ [https://www.instagram.com/marie_scarletto/] elmo_cos - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/elmo_cos/ [https://www.instagram.com/elmo_cos/] tammy.lestrange - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/tammy.lestrange/ [https://www.instagram.com/tammy.lestrange/] _.silverdragon._ - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/_.silverdragon._/ [https://www.instagram.com/_.silverdragon._/] Cosplayers who worked with Darren / iPhotoUK: narya_cosplay - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/narya_cosplay/ [https://www.instagram.com/narya_cosplay/] bumble.bee.t - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bumble.bee.t/ [https://www.instagram.com/bumble.bee.t/] keyuricosplay - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/keyuricosplay/ [https://www.instagram.com/keyuricosplay/] sunni.cos - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/sunni.cos/ [https://www.instagram.com/sunni.cos/] junrengenohana - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/junrengenohana/ [https://www.instagram.com/junrengenohana/] cylliaenez - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/cylliaenez/ [https://www.instagram.com/cylliaenez/] giulee - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/giulee/ [https://www.instagram.com/giulee/] SPECIAL THANK YOU A massive thank you to the Picvetia team for creating such an incredible event and community experience.Special thanks to: Picvetia - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/picvetia/ [https://www.instagram.com/picvetia/] Giulee - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/giulee/ [https://www.instagram.com/giulee/] Rromai_lee - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/romai_lee/ [https://www.instagram.com/romai_lee/] Ailyta - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/ailyta/ [https://www.instagram.com/ailyta/] Picvetia Website: https://picvetiaevent.ch/en/home/ [https://picvetiaevent.ch/en/home/] And a massive thank you to the rest of the Picvetia organisers, volunteers, cosplayers, photographers, videographers and assistants who helped make the event such a special creative experience.

EP 20 - Inside Secret Con

EP 20 of Cosplay, Togs & All Things Nerdy takes you inside Secret Con, the UK’s photo-focused cosplay event. We discuss how it started during lockdown, how it has grown over five years, what makes it different from mainstream conventions, and its impact on the UK cosplay and photography community. Topics covered:Secret Con originsUK cosplay events and photo conventionsCosplay photography and creative shootsVenue planning, logistics, and safetyVolunteers, attendees, and event growthThe future of Secret Con🎙️ Watch/listen and let us know your thoughts in the comments.🔔 Subscribe for more episodes covering cosplay, photography, conventions, and all things nerdy. Guests: • Andy - KronanKreative Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kronankreative/ [https://www.instagram.com/kronankreative/] • Darren - iPhotoUK Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iphotouk/ [https://www.instagram.com/iphotouk/] Hosts: Chloe Hill - its.chloehill - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/its.chloehill/ [https://www.instagram.com/its.chloehill/] Tom - Switch Photography - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/switch_8.9/ [https://www.instagram.com/switch_8.9/] Podcast Socials: LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/CosplayTogsAndAllThingsNerdy?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

EP 19 - Cosplay Togs & All Things Picvetia

Picvetia is one of Switzerland’s most exciting cosplay photography events and in this episode, we go behind the scenes on what it really takes to plan it: applications, selection, locations, logistics, and building a supportive community. 🎙️ In this episode, the Picvetia team shares: • How Picvetia started and how it’s grown • What makes a strong application/portfolio (cosplayers + photographers) • How selection works (quality, variety, skills — not just social following) • The hidden workload: scouting, pressure, rejections, timelines • Why locations matter so much — and how to use them creatively • Tips for beginners: posing, make-up, networking, persistence 📍 Destination spotlight (for travel + cosplay enthusiasts)Picvetia 2026: Locarno–Bellinzona Region, Switzerland (10–11–12 April) Official Website: https://www.ilvolta.com/en/ [https://www.ilvolta.com/en/] Official info + rules: https://picvetiaevent.ch/en/home/ [https://picvetiaevent.ch/en/home/] Rules + selection criteria: https://picvetiaevent.ch/en/rules/ [https://picvetiaevent.ch/en/rules/] Applications page: https://picvetiaevent.ch/en/application/ [https://picvetiaevent.ch/en/application/] 🔥 If you’re applying: What’s the ONE thing you struggle with most — posing, make-up, portfolio curation, editing, or confidence? Drop it in the comments and we’ll reply with tips. Guests: • Giulee Cosplayer — Cosplayer & Community Manager, Picvetia (Switzerland) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giulee/ [https://www.instagram.com/giulee/] • RomaiLee — Photographer & Cosplayer, President/Founder of Picvetia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romai_lee/ [https://www.instagram.com/romai_lee/] • Ailyta - Cosplayer & Picvetia Team Menber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ailyta/ [https://www.instagram.com/ailyta/] Hosts: Darren - iPhotoUK - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/iphotouk/ [https://www.instagram.com/iphotouk/] Tom - Switch Photography - Insta: https://www.instagram.com/switch_8.9/ [https://www.instagram.com/switch_8.9/] Podcast Socials: LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/CosplayTogsAndAllThingsNerdy?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

EP 18.5 - Lets Talk about Nexus 13.

🔥 Nexus 13. What it is. Why we’re building it. And why it’s bigger than just cosplay. In this episode, Tom (Switch) and Darren (iPhotoUK) break down the vision behind **Nexus 13** — a new creative events + education brand built for **all areas of photography**, not just the cosplay scene. Yes, cosplay will be a big part of what we do. But Nexus 13 is designed to support creators across the board, including: • cosplay and character work• portraits and modelling • boudoir and tasteful NSFW (18+ only, consent-first, professional standards) • workshops, training days, and skill-building sessions • themed events that help you create stronger work with better structure • future plans like trips away, bigger experiences, and wider collaborations Our goal is simple: create a space where photographers, models, cosplayers, and creators can level up, meet like-minded people, and make work they’re genuinely proud of. Less pressure. More intention. Better environments to create. What we cover: • What Nexus 13 is (and what it isn’t) • Why we’re building it and what problem it solves • The kinds of events we want to run (themes, workshops, training days, meetups) • How we keep it safe, respectful, and creator-focused • Who it’s for, and how we want people to collaborate • What’s coming in 2026 and beyond 👇 Question for you: What kind of event would you actually pay to attend? A themed shoot day, a workshop, a training day, a retreat/trip away, or something else? Hosts: • Darren — iPhotoUK — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iphotouk/ [https://www.instagram.com/iphotouk/] • Tom — Switch Photography — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/switch_8.9/ [https://www.instagram.com/switch_8.9/] Nexus 13: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nexus.13/ [https://www.instagram.com/_nexus.13/] • Website: coming in the first half of 2026 • Discord community: launching in the first half of 2026 Podcast Socials: • LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/CosplayTogsAndAllThingsNerdy?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

EP 18 - Let's Start The Year A Little Nerdy

🎧 New year, new episode. No guests this time. Just us having a proper nerd catch-up. Tom (Switch) and Darren (iPhotoUK) chat through what we’ve been watching and what we’re hyped for next, then get into the big pop-culture debates: are sequels and remakes taking over, what still feels fresh, and what we actually want from films and TV going into 2026. This episode covers: • Films we’ve been watching and talking about, including The Running Man, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Predator: Badlands, and more• 2026 hype like Avengers: Doomsday and Supergirl • TV deep-dives: Stranger Things, Fallout, The Witcher, and Star Trek (Discovery + Strange New Worlds) • One of Tom/Switch’s standout shows recently: MobLand • Gaming chat, delays, and what we’re watching in the industry • Photography gear talk: lenses, lighting, and why certain setups just work • Nexus 13: our new venture focused on themed cosplay events and workshops built around story-led photography, community, and a safe space to create. Themes we’re planning include Arcane and Cyberpunk, with additional themes to follow. 👇 Question for you: What are you MOST hyped for in 2026 (film, series, or game)? And what theme would you want to see from Nexus 13? Links: • First Glass Designs: https://firstglassdesigns.co.uk/ [https://firstglassdesigns.co.uk/] Hosts: • Darren — iPhotoUK — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iphotouk/ [https://www.instagram.com/iphotouk/] • Tom — Switch Photography — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/switch_8.9/ [https://www.instagram.com/switch_8.9/] Podcast Socials: • LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/CosplayTogsAndAllThingsNerdy?utm_source=linktree_profile_share