Howl’s Moving Castle Sophie Cosplay Photoshoot

If you’re a Studio Ghibli fan, this one is for you.

Have you seen Howl’s Moving Castle? It’s a beautifully animated fantasy about a quiet young woman whose life is turned upside down when she is cursed by a witch and turned into a 90 year old woman. Along her journey to break the spell, she becomes a resident of a magical moving castle, falls in love with a flamboyant emotionally complex wizard, and finds her confidence to rescue her love and end a destructive war.

Doris asked me to do a Howl’s Moving Castle cosplay photoshoot and told me she even dyed her hair a silvery blonde for it! At first I wasn’t quite sure if I was the right person for the job (I usually photograph babies and families these days) but Doris trusted me anyway, like she did 10 years ago when I asked her climb a tree for a photoshoot, and I’m so glad she did!

We met up after sunrise to climb a million hillside stairs to get to this scenic spot. We chatted about the movie and she told me how much she identifies with Sophie’s character, especially her compassion. We pranced around in the hills to the movie soundtrack and got some great photos, then Doris did the most awesome thing…

SHE CUT HER HAIR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PHOTOSHOOT!!!!

Just one quick chop (no mirror, no assistance, no problem) and her long silver hair which reached her lower back was now a surprisingly chic a-line bob. In the climax of of the movie Sophie’s hair is sacrificed to save her love. Sophie goes through a transformation throughout the movie and in real life Doris transformed before my eyes! Her commitment to this character was next level!

Check out the amazing photos (and movie gifs) below: