Studio Shay
Immersive Convention Portrait Studio
Bringing professional, fully styled photo environments directly to your favorite conventions and events. Step into custom sets, show off your look, and walk away with instant physical artwork.
About The Experience & Our Mission
At Studio Shay, we believe every elaborate cosplay, styled outfit, and unforgettable event look deserves more than a quick phone picture in a crowded hallway.
We set up full-scale, professional photo studios right inside the convention hall. With professional lighting, custom-designed backdrop environments, and expert posing direction, we deliver an editorial photo experience built for the vibe of the event floor. Fast, fun, and effortless.
Community is at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to dedicate a portion ($1 from each session and $1 from each print order) of proceeds from every Studio Shay event directly to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. When you book a session or pick up prints at our booth, you're not just taking home a piece of art-you're actively helping provide 24/7 life-saving support and creating safer, more inclusive spaces for youth nationwide.
Upcoming events
September 19-20
October 09-11
October 30 - Nov 01
December 18-20
The Process
Step 01
Reserve Your Slot (or Walk Up)
Book your time block online in advance to skip the line, or stop by our booth on the floor for walk-up availability.
Step 02
Step Into the Set
Enjoy a quick, high-energy micro session. We guide you through poses that show off your outfit, props, and best angles.
Step 03
Pick Up Your Prints On-Site
Head to our print station to select your favorite shots. We offer digital files for social media sharing, and a fun interactive tear and share photo print experience. Each theme has a tailored book to share and trade photos!
VIP First Access
Never Miss a Booking Window
Popular time slots fill up fast! Sign up with your email to get early notification when booking windows open for upcoming pop-ups, along with exclusive set reveals and theme announcements.
Meet Your Photographer
Hi, I'm Shay!
Before I was behind the camera setting up studio lighting, I was on the other side of the convention floor in full cosplay. The Youtube tutorials, the glue bun burns, the late-night wig styling, and all.
I know first hand the massive amount of passion, time, and heart that goes into every single build, outfit, and character detail. You spend weeks (maybe even months!) bringing your vision to life, and you deserve more than just a quick, blurry phone picture in a crowded hallway. I built Studio Shay to honor that effort. You put in the work; my job is to give you high-end portraits that make you look and feel as epic as your build actually is.
Everyone is Welcome in Our Booth
Whether it's your very first cosplay, an original design, or your hundredth competition piece, our booth is a safe, inclusive space for everyone. No judgment, or snobbery here. If no one else has told you how great your cosplay is, let me! You did the thing and you deserve to be celebrated.
Art Built on Community
When I created Studio Shay, one of the most important things I wanted to do was to uplift and give back to the community that makes these events so special. Studio Shay proudly donates $1 from every session and $1 from every artwork order to The Trevor Project; we make sure that every portrait taken in our booth helps foster a safer, kinder, and more inclusive world outside of it.
Stop by the booth, say hi, show off your hard work, and let's make some magic together!
FAQ
Do I need to book in advance, or can I walk up on the day of the event?
We offer both! Pre-booking guarantees your time slot so you can plan around panels and contests. However, we mainly operate on a walk-up basis. At certain events, pre-booking is a perk of VIP guests.
When and how do I get my photos?
At our booth station, we print Tear & Share prints so you can trade photos at the event! Interested in standard size prints? Check your gallery shop! Digital files are sent directly to your email typically within 24 hours. Your online gallery will be live for 14 days from the end of the event.
How long does a pop-up photo session take?
Our floor sessions are fast and streamlined. They are micro sessions that are just a few minutes to make it easy to select your on-site prints.
What if I have large props, armor, or group cosplays?
While we love big builds, our set layouts are typically confined to the standard 10x10 vendor space (exception: Spooky Empire & Holiday Matsuri*) and are designed for singles, duos, and small group shots up to 3. Very limited after-hours sessions may be booked for groups, pricing is $150 for a 30 minute session, all digital images included. Fill out the contact form below if interested!
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