>>10977039
The "pros" are often models who already are introduced in differend commercial ecosystems and jump into cosplay because the competition is nowhere near as harsh and the level of required commitment and overall standards are considerably lower.
That or they are on OF.
Cosplay is one of the least monetizable hobbies out there. Unless you don't value your dignity and get on OF (where you still won't make much because it's unbelievably top-heavy).
Forget the idea of ever breaking even with cosplay. It can't be a job unless your looks were already your job because you're a model or a streamer (I dare you to tell me the top female streamers got their armies of simps and orbiters because of how good they are at games, we all know what's going one there. I double fucking dare you lot)

>>10977039
some cosplayers are "hired" by companies for events, but pay is extremely low and does barely cover the expenses for the costume itself, completely ignoring all the time that went throught it.
Also the standards to get a sponsorship are extremely high and/or you need to be well known in the community sicne they are expecting someone professional.
>"I recently start cosplaying, why no one hires me"
>play the disability pity card
Fuck you

>>10977039
>I got into cosplaying for the sponsors
fuck off

>>10977041
I don't really know, I know many people who cosplay as a hobby and do well without being streamers or having an OF. I, at least, am just starting out in all this, and it was because I like Umamusume, and now I'm looking for a job so I can get my Sakura Cardcaptor cosplay.

>>10977045
Hslajslsjsk I wasn't referring to work as a cosplayer, I meant a real job like working in a call center or selling things over the phone, something like that. (I could faint at any moment, that's why they don't choose me)

>>10977046 I do cosplays because I enjoy it, but what I mean is that I don't understand how people can afford all that stuff without jobs and only with sponsors.

>>10977071
People just have jobs.
That's it.
Sponsors are very few and far between and only go for the top dogs because cosplaying is one of the least interesting avenues for any sponsor. The people they do sponsor, they usually sponsor as influencers/content creators, not as cosplayers per-say.

>>10977070
Not sure why looking for advice on looking for a job in /cos. I guess you're from the US since many countries in EU has disability laws regarding employement. If you can't find random jobs then use your time to study and make a life plan related to your disability
Also sponsors almost never covers the time and money spent on a cosplay, 99.9% of cosplayers do have a job completely unrelated to cosplay.
People who live on OF are models that use cosplay to market their porn to nerds.

Serious question :
What is it with cosplay and EGL that attracts so many "handicapped" people despite the obvious issues of getting into either if you're wheelchair-bound or have to use crutches or stuff like that ?
I swear, every other comm, forum or server has several and they all use "I'm handicapped" as an excuse for everything.
>I can't afford more than the outer visible parts of a costume or coord and it looks bad because of that because I'm handicapped :c
Depending on where you live, businesses get tax cuts for employing people with different forms of disabiities. Some large companies would be willing to hire you to do nothing all day because the gains from lower taxes far outweighs your wage. Go apply for a fucking job.
>I can't wear a petticoat because I'm in a wheelchair
Have you considered getting into any style other than the one that entirely relies on wearing petticoats and hoopskirts to even function then ?
>the costumes I can find ready-made, I can't wear because I have an unusual size since I'm handicapped :c
Let me guess, you can't DIY any modification or learn to sew because you're handicapped. Fair if that affects your upper-body mobility and/or fine motricity I guess.
I swear, no other hobby has that sort of concentrations and I cannot find a reason for it.

>>10977097
Well, at least my disability doesn't directly affect my mobility; I can simply faint at any moment because my body decides to. I wanted to do cosplay before I had to use a wheelchair, but I hadn't because I was underage. In Chile, it's a bit complicated for people with disabilities to find work since the inclusion law only requires hiring a certain number of people with disabilities; the rest are rejected. At least I don't have a problem putting together my costumes and managing with that, but due to certain circumstances I can only sew by hand, and let's just say it's a bit dangerous if I suddenly faint. Anyway, I just wanted to know what that world was like and understand how many other cosplayers do it <3

>>10977079
Oooo i see I didn't know that. I know cosplayers who were doing cosplays based on sponsorships, but they may have been content creators at some point, which would explain how they can have sponsors.

>>10977146
You need a spotter.
Fort he job, just apply to a call center or a job you can work from home, it should be easier as you are disabled

>>10977039
pop a willie

>>10977204
*wheelie

>>10977179
I thought the same thing, I've already applied for 400 jobs like that and they haven't hired me, the situation is difficult, but I'm still going to try to continue with cosplays using recycled materials, my only problem would be the wigs.