Batgirls from 2012, with the best-looking half of Garber Geektography crouching in front.

Of course some of the most fun we have with photography happens to be when we go to DragonCon in Atlanta, and it is just around the corner. In looking back at some of the pictures we’ve taken, it is amazing to see what a difference a year makes! I got a lot of views on my Flickr page for several of my shots from my first year with the camera in 2012. By far the shot with the most views on our Flickr account was the one I took of the Batgirls at the DragonCon DC comic shoot. Of course that is extra special because of the crouching Batgirl, Michelle.

Michelle posing with a little Batgirl, Captain America, and a fairy.

It was a fun year, and Michelle did her first DragonCon cosplay. As she was walking down the street, another little Batgirl came running to get a picture, yelling “Batgirl, Batgirl!” It made Michelle’s day. This is just a snapshot, but it preserved the memory.

A quick shot of Aqualad in 2012 during the height of the popularity of Young Justice.

DragonCon 2012 was filled with fun snapshots, as I had not quite learned how to use my camera. I was also uncomfortable asking people for portraits. This shot of Aqualad from 2012 was taken paparazzi style, but it ended up being one of our most viewed photos on Tumblr. Apparently Aqualad is hot. I wouldn’t know.

The following year, I had a lot more experience, and we both focused more on photography than actual cosplay. Without the divided attention, I had a lot more fun. I also had my first experience with a real portrait lens, an 85mm f1.4 prime lens. It was both a joy and a limitation. I was working with a crop sensor camera, which meant that I could only really shoot head shots in close quarters. This limitation paid off, though, and I got some fun portraits. I was quite happy with the one of the steampunk Harley Quinn. The wide aperture helped me in low light situations in the host hotels.

Harley Quinn ready to rumble at the bar, DragonCon 2013.

I still love the colors of the one I shot of Duela Dent. She was walking to the DC photoshoot, and we were stopped at a street corner. She struck a pose, and it ended up being one of my favorites of the year.

A quick Duela Dent portrait on an Atlanta street corner, DragonCon 2013.

But my absolute favorite was probably the one below of the zombie girl. We were walking out of the costume contest late one night and three young zombies walked up to me with my camera, never breaking character. I got this shot, which I had a lot of fun processing! Next up, “A DragonCon Retrospective, Part II: Everyone Loves a Parade.”

I had fun desaturating this girl’s zombie face, but I couldn’t make myself desaturate those blue eyes! DragonCon 2013.