“Something really crazy happens when I put on a costume. I start walking a little bit taller; I start embodying that character,” says Meghan Camarena, better known to her legion of fans as @strawburry17. As a longtime digital creator living in Los Angeles, Meghan has taken on many roles in her online life: director, producer, singer-songwriter, anime enthusiast. But offline, #cosplay — dressing up as fictional character — helps her find her true identity. “There’s no way you can take off that costume without having that confidence boost,” says the 28-year-old. “That’s what cosplay has done for me — it really got me comfortable in my own skin. I start to see the hero in myself.”
This photo is a part of Meghan’s cosplay portrait series on Instagram. Follow #spideymurdermystery to learn more.
Photo by @michaelbecker88