Cosplay (a portmanteau of “costume” and “play”) has been a fundamental part of FanX: Salt Lake Comic Convention since its inception. But how does one make the leap from cosplaying as a hobby to cosplaying as a profession? More importantly, how does a cosplayer support themselves once it becomes their job? We talked to professional cosplayer Alkali Layke about the reality of what it takes to make it at her booth at FanX.

You can see her there or on her Instagram or Twitch.