+

[NekoMimi16]

I'm just looking for new general cosplay shoot locations. NONE THAT ARE ON THE STRIP PLEASE. ^^ They arrest peeps for taking pics with tourists for cash. I don't but don't really wanna risk it. Any ideas?

[rf44net]

I'm not from Las Vegas but:
1. Red Rock Canyon and the area up there has great mountain backdrops.
2. The Strip is more interesting as a backdrop -- you can go to the top of the Rio's parking structure (it's free) and with a long/zoom lens you can have the Strip fill the frame behind you.
3. There's a parking lot by the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. People take their pictures in front of it all the time.

[Limeyaku]

OT but I think they can only arrest you if you're asking for money. ie. selling yourself as a character without actually being a vendor. If they give you money without you asking, that's a different story. Anyways, you can always just turn down requests or just turn down the money. You wouldn't be risking getting arrested. The seasonal garden in Bellagio is beautiful...The strip is the only place I visit so that's all I got. XD

[TykeJack]

Red Rock Canyon is a good place to shoot as well as The Valley of Fire. City Center is on the strip, but I think it's all private property so it shouldn't be heavily patrolled. You should be able to get a lot of interesting shots inside hotel lobbies and by the monorail for more futuristic and modern cosplay.

[Celcia]

Mt. Charleston is great for snow shoots in the winter. The forest in the fall and spring are great for nature shots. Excellent for fairy, RPG, etc. characters. Floyd Lamb State Park is a nice laid back place if you have more folks-y costumes.

And as for the thing about getting arrested on the strip, you're fine so long as you're not posing with tourists for money, obviously. You'll be fine if you're doing a photoshoot at a strip location. They shouldn't arrest or fine you for that unless of course, you have a buttload of equipment and they think you're doing a commercial project.

[Aciano]

There's also Lake Las Vegas but that's just a little bit out there. A great place though, which I suggest checking out on their website. :3 mainly because Celcia and myself go about haha. There's been quite a few cosplayers that have done photoshoots on the Strip and inside the casino themselves. Haven't heard fo being arrested but maybe asked to leave.

[Durroa]

Born and raised in Vegas. Never heard once someone on the strip being arrested for a small photo shoot. A big one may take up too much sidewalk space and cause a small commotion.

Though unrelated to intentional cosplay, i've seen mickey mouse, master chief, spider man superman, some from hentalia and a few others in the past summer, but im sure a few worked for the casino and a few were having fun.

As for a backdrop, i've never really paid attention to my surroundings as much, but the springs preserve might do good for a desert landscape. Freemont street has an extremely large light show on the strip overhead, that can be used for something, I think.

[Funhouse]

You can't reeaaally get arrested for posing for money either on the strip. As long as you tell the person you work on tips, you're fine. I know people who do that and I even tried it a little bit ago.

[RickyFromVegas]

With the right lens, sufficient lighting and enough space, backgrounds tend to not matter as much.
But then again, I like portrait shots, so the rest are heavily blurred out.

[NekoMimi16]

Thanks for the tips everyone! About being arrested on the strip. You can be without having a business license. Several people were recently though many still stand out in the heat to get some tips. The reason they passed the law is because some Batman got mugged for his tips. I don't worry so much because I'm not taking money but the locations on the strip are getting old themselves. >< xD

[GCNgamer128]

how old are you