Where are you from originally or reside currently: Alexandria, VA
How long you have been cosplaying: Less than 1 year
Other Characters cosplayed: Daphne & Velma, Lara Croft & Alice Abernathy, Poison Ivy & Harley Quinn
Website or facebook fan page: Belle Bredenhoft’s Crazy Cosplay

1. Who or what inspired you to cosplay?

We dressed up for local Renaissance Fairs and Halloween but it never really occurred to us to go to a convention. Then one day, we were making costume plans for Halloween and realized that we had too many ideas and not enough Halloweens to go around. So we decided to try going to a convention, since most of our costume ideas where comic-book or superhero related. After Awesome Con last spring, we were hooked!

2. When you are not cosplaying what else do you do and what are your hobbies?

We both greatly enjoy hiking, baking, and participating in zombie runs (as zombies of course).

3. What is one big piece of advice you would give to a new cosplayer?

The scariest thing about cosplaying for the first time isn’t putting the costume together, it’s actually putting the dang thing on! If you stop for gas on the way to a con, you’re going to get strange looks, so you really just have to laugh it off. Once inside the convention hall, though, you’re sure to find out that cosplayers are some of the most welcoming people you’ll ever meet. They love to meet first-time cosplayers!

4. What is one thing the cosplaying community can do better when it comes to dealing with each other?

Sometimes, people allow all the attention and praise of a good costume to go to their heads. Remember to give credit to the people who helped you build your awesome costume and don’t look down on other cosplayers because their costumes may not be as well-crafted as yours or they don’t physically look like the character they’re trying to portray. The whole point of cosplay is to have fun. We fully believe that it doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like, or what your skill level is, you can cosplay as any character and you can be amazing at it!