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 2026 will be near Denver (Granby, Colorado) and the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park (Grand Lake entrance). Transportation to the event is not provided.

The dates for this year’s Light Fantastic are Wednesday, June 24, 2026, to Sunday, June 28, 2026, with lodging (4 nights) 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 2026 is $100 per person (cosplayer/model/photographer/assistant/+1). The fee covers the cost of accommodations for Wednesday through Saturday nights, June 24 - 28 (four nights, checkout Sunday morning). The stay on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, is prior to the event’s official start of Thursday, June 25, 2026, but available for those who want time to relax after check-in (or get in additional photo sessions). Check-in is not until 4pm MDT.

Unfortunately, with the arrangements and location, a minimum number of attendees must be met in order for Light Fantastic 2026 to proceed. Because of venue cancellation policies, no refunds will be issued for attendance cancellations. 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 2-3 officially scheduled shoots over the entire event.

• Scheduled sessions will occur during two blocks of time set aside each day of the event—one morning and one late afternoon. Each session 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 as well as outfit changes (if necessary).

• Outside of scheduled sessions, cosplayers/models and photographers are encouraged to participate in spontaneous or “unofficial” sessions (as long as it does not affect scheduled shoots). There will be blocks of time on the schedule for these unofficial sessions 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, outdoor setting. 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, forests, and plains, your looks can be anything from an original character to anime to movie to video game related. For example, 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 three 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 2026 we will have a central HQ for us to gather, socialize, relax, eat, and sleep! Shared rooms are to be expected, expect closer to dormitory bunk beds for the 2026 edition. We try to encourage everyone to socialize as much as possible during Light Fantastic, hence the central HQ. However, we also understand that we may need a moment to decompress from a hectic day to do so as well! The lodging will be near the town of Granby, Colorado, a two hour drive from Denver International Airport. Granby is south of the Grand Lake entrance to RMNP (western side), about a 30 to 60 minutes drive along US Highway 34. There is limited parking at the location, please keep this in mind; if you plan on renting a car, consider arranging to split the costs and drive with other attendees.

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, please do so!

Snacks will be available throughout the time and there may be one “official” group meal at the conclusion of the event (TBD). Other meals throughout the days are on your own—note there is a full 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 May 20, 2026. 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 attendance fee is due within a week, to officially reserve a spot at Light Fantastic. Any potential attendee that does not submit the fee will not be considered officially attending and will 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.