What is Light Fantastic?

Light Fantastic (aka AnthonyCon) is a multi-day cosplay photography event, bringing together a group of passionate cosplayers/models and photographers interested in creating beautiful images at unique locations. The event’s small number of attendees means there are no distractions typically experienced at regular cons; cosplayers/artists and photographers can focus on the images.

Light Fantastic 2024 will be based on Washington Island, seven miles off the tip of Northern Door County, Wisconsin. The island is only accessible by pedestrian/car ferry (or personal watercraft).

The dates for this year’s Light Fantastic are Wednesday, September 11 to Monday, September 16, 2024, with lodging included.

Want to attend? Please fill out the application/registration form here or below in the registration process and requirements details.

Attendance Fee

Although Light Fantastic is a collaborative gathering of cosplayers and photographers, there is an attendance/participation fee to defray costs associated with lodging, park entrance fees, and some group meals/snacks.

The fee for Light Fantastic 2024 is $250 per participating cosplayer/model or photographer and a reduced fee of $150 for assistants or +1s (partners/spouses). The fee covers the cost of accommodations for Wednesday through Sunday nights, September 11 - 15 (five nights, checkout Monday morning). The night’s stay on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, is prior to the event’s official start of Thursday, September 12, but available for those who want time to relax after check-in (or get in additional photo sessions).

Unfortunately, with the arrangements and location, a minimum number of attendees must be met in order for Light Fantastic 2024 to proceed. If there is not enough interest by registration close, any paid deposits will be refunded. As such, with limited spots, applications will be reviewed and attendees selected based on a number of factors, including but not limited to, prior attendance, quality of portfolio, attendance of all official days, application date, etc.

Photo sessions

• Attendees—cosplayers/models and photographers will be allocated shoot times for Light Fantastic. A schedule will be issued in advance of Light Fantastic for you to collaborate on the details of your shoot. There are multiple sessions throughout the event and each cosplayer/model can expect three (3) officially scheduled shoots over the entire event.

• Scheduled shoots will occur during three blocks of time set aside each day of the event—one morning, one mid-afternoon, and one early evening. Each shoot has a 2.5 to 3hr block of time allocated. Unlike a convention, no back-to-back stacking will occur. This should allow for ample time for travel to and from shoot locations on Washington Island as well as outfit changes (if necessary).

• Outside of scheduled shoots, cosplayers/models and photographers are encouraged to participate in spontaneous or “unofficial” shoots (as long as it does not affect scheduled shoots). There will be blocks of time on the schedule for these unofficial shoots and signups will take place on the first night of Light Fantastic.

• Cosplayers/models will receive at least 4 fully edited images from each shoot; photographers retain copyrights to all their images. Model releases will be required at the event.

• Rain or shine, we will shoot, unless a weather warning is issued locally that would make it too dangerous.

Theme

Cosplayers/models are encouraged to bring outfits that complement a natural setting. Washington Island has plenty of forested areas, as well as having shoots using Lake Michigan and Northern Door County, itself. In addition to the forested areas on the island, there are a few beaches (one limestone pebble beach and at least three accessible sand beaches), plus a Scandinavian church (stavkirke) similar to those found in Viking lands during the 11th Century! The ferry back to Northern Door County also affords the opportunity for shoots that take advantage of the quaint towns in the County, as well as locations where you can just pop out of your vehicle and do an impromptu session. There are two large state parks within 30 minutes of the ferry in Northern Door County. Previous attendees have found the locations on Washington Island perfect for their shoots, but those wishing to head back to the mainland are advised to take time and travel into consideration. There is a separate ferry ride to Rock Island State Park with almost 1000 acres of undisturbed nature, along with hiking trails.

As for cosplays, consider fantasy or medieval looks such as forest creatures, warriors, elves, or even post-apocalyptic denizens. My cosplay photography motto is "cosplay is fashion is cosplay" and that carries over to this event. However, the looks you bring do not have to be cosplay related. It is highly recommended that similar to previous Light Fantastic iterations, any non-cosplay looks have a theme that will work with the outdoor environment. We’ve done outdoir (outdoors boudoir), fashion, pure fantasy shoots, etc. at Light Fantastic!

With access to bodies of water, beaches, forests, and plains, your looks can be anything from an original character to anime to movie to video game related. For example, Monster Hunter, Legend of Zelda, Skyrim, Witcher, Uncharted, Lord of the Rings, Critical Role, Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, etc. are some properties that would benefit from a unique outdoor aesthetic. With that said, be creative—it can be Nero Saber in the woods to Samus by the lake. Don’t let the environment limit you!

It is suggested that cosplayers/artists bring four looks at a minimum for Light Fantastic, but there are no requirements on numbers.

Please visit @lightfantastic.event on either Instagram or Facebook to see some of the many different cosplays from past years!!!

Accommodations

Once again for 2024 we will have a central HQ for us to gather, socialize, relax, eat, and sleep! The HQ is comprised of a large lodge with multiple bedrooms and some scattered cabins. Attendees will be assigned to lodgings. There will be separate beds for each individual attendee (or couple), although roommates will be assigned for rooms and cabins. This will be kept at minimum, as the intent is not to sleep 8 in a room!

There will be access to a communal kitchen/lounge area in the main lodge and each cabin will have a small kitchen for meal prep. We try to encourage everyone to socialize as much as possible during Light Fantastic, but having smaller groupings for rooms and sleeping arrangements will let those of us who need a moment to decompress from a hectic day to do so.

Meals

There will be food and snacks on hand, but primarily of the sort for outdoor BBQ or pre-packaged items. It is highly encouraged that attendees bring snacks/drinks for themselves, as well. If you decide to share, share safely, please! There are places to eat on Washington Island, but the event is held during the on/off-season transition, so establishments and other venues may be closed early or for the season.

Snacks will be available throughout the weekend and there will be a group meals on Thursday and Saturday evenings for attendees. Other meals throughout the five days are on your own—note there is a communal kitchen/lounge area that is extensively used for meal prep and relaxation between shoots. If you are assigned a cabin, those also have a small kitchen for meal prep.

Registration process

If you haven’t attended Light Fantastic before, please apply with 3 photos of any of your previous work (cosplayers/aritsts/photographers), along with a short bio. For cosplayers, the images are not necessarily what you will be bringing as looks. Images are used during the review of your application and for introduction purposes (same with photographers) of accepted attendees in the private Facebook group.

Registration applications are due July 15, 2024. In order to keep the chaos to a minimum and allow all attendees equal opportunity at collaborating, there are limited spots for Light Fantastic. Priority will be given to those who can attend all days. If there are more registrants than spots, applications will be reviewed based on a number of factors, including all days attendance, image portfolio, number and suitability of cosplay to the environments, etc. If needed, a waitlist will be created to potentially fill in any unexpected attendee conflicts. With that in mind, based on previous years’ experiences, there are not many dropouts.

Interested individuals are highly recommended to apply as early as possible. Light Fantastic has been growing each year at the different locations and we have not been able to accept all attendees. Late registration (or after the registration deadline) is not advised if you want to be able to attend Light Fantastic.

Once registration is accepted, the full fee is due August 1, 2024, to officially reserve a spot at Light Fantastic. Any potential attendee that does not submit the deposit by August 1, 2024, may lose their spot and be substituted for another attendee.

First time participants

Why does Light Fantastic ask for 3 photos and a short bio of new participants to Light Fantastic?

Simply put, the quality of the event depends on everyone bringing their “A” game, but also having fun doing it. We are looking for equally passionate cosplayers/models and photographers, who exhibit quality and skill, professionalism, and are friendly and accepting to all participants. We do not judge applications based on age, ethnicity, gender, body type, etc. Everyone is encouraged to apply. Please submit images and short bio to anthony@anthonyhnguyenphoto.com after you register (also on registration form).

Please fill out the application/registration form here.