LARPs & Events I Call Home
If you’ve followed GamerGurl Photography for any amount of time, you’ve probably noticed something: I’m rarely in the same realm twice.
One weekend I’m wading through fog and torchlight at a high-immersion fantasy LARP.
The next I’m dodging foam weapons at a Belegarth battle event.
Then suddenly I’m out-of-office at a dragon war in Pennsylvania, or hiding behind a tree at a Ren faire, catching candids of orcs, elves, goblins, and knights.
This blog is your guide to the LARPs and events I travel to regularly what they’re like, where they are, and what kind of photos you can expect if you book a session or catch me on site.
(East Tennessee)
Hardstriker LARP
Hardstriker is one of those events that just gets under your skin in the best way.
Hosted in the hills near Greeneville, TN, Hardstriker is a small but mighty LARP company currently based out of East Tennessee, known for gritty, grounded storytelling and hard-hitting combat.
What it feels like:
Think rugged homelands, feuds, found family, and the kind of campfire scenes that feel like they’re pulled straight from a saga. It’s cinematic without trying too hard; mud, smoke, steel, and real emotions.
What I do there:
Capture battlefield chaos: shield walls, gate charges, last stands.
Sneak in quiet character portraits in between the fighting.
Document camp life laughing around the fire, armor piled by tents, late-night plotting.
Why I love it:
Hardstriker has become a “return two times year” kind of event for me. The players throw themselves into character, the staff cares deeply about the experience, and visually… it’s a playground for a camera. Its my home away from home and run by some of the best people you will ever know
Reckoning LARP
Midwest(Indiana) High Fantasy
Reckoning is a high-immersion fantasy LARP set in a sprawling, lived-in world where players drive the story. Hosted in the Midwest, Reckoning events currently run at historic site Billie Creek Village in Rockville, IN full of old buildings, streets, and backdrops that feel made for epic photos.
What it feels like:
Reckoning is all about player-driven narrative. You don’t just “show up and wait for plot” you become the plot. There are factions, cultures, politics, and characters with layers and secrets.
What I do there:
Story-driven character sessions in the village streets, alleys, and courtyards.
Candid storytelling: tense negotiations, tavern shenanigans, rituals, and war councils.
Cinematic group shots of warbands, crews, cults, and misfit adventuring parties.
Why I love it:
Reckoning feels like photographing a living novel. Characters evolve from game to game, and I get to capture their arcs, betrayals, victories, heartbreak, and the rare soft moments in between.
DrachenFest US
(America’s Dragon War/ Western PA)
DrachenFest US is a four-day festival-style fantasy LARP held at Cooper’s Lake in Pennsylvania. It’s billed as one of the largest LARP festivals in the US, with players divided into different dragon camps, each representing its own ethos and values.
What it feels like:
Imagine a sea of banners, tents, armor, and color each camp with its own aesthetic and culture. It’s part war, part festival, part giant fantasy convention in a field.
What I do there:
Roaming candids of camps, rituals, banners, and battlefield moments.
On-request mini sessions for characters, units, and friend groups.
Big, sweeping environmental portraits that show off people and the massive world around them.
Why I love it:
DrachenFest US is sensory overload in the best way. Every direction you turn is another story waiting to be told. It’s one of those events where you can spend an hour on a single road and still come away with an entire gallery.
Mittelmarch WAR & Olympics (Belegarth Battle Events)
When I say “this is for people who like to fight,” I’m talking about events like WAR and Olympics event; large Belegarth foam-fighting events hosted by the Mittelmarch chapter in Indiana.
WAR (All-Out Territory Battle)
WAR is typically held in October and features two massive teams battling to conquer and defend territories over varied terrain for hours (a day event). It’s intense, fast-paced, and full of adrenaline.
What I do there:
Long-lens action shots of clashes, shield walls, and individual duels.
Unit photos for teams who want squad portraits in kit.
Between-battle portraits once everyone is sweaty, muddy, and grinning like maniacs.
Mittelmarch Olympics (Tournaments & Fellowship)
Olympics brings foam fighters together for 4 days of tournaments, competitions, classes, and battles at Camp Sertoma near Indianapolis.
What I do there:
Capture tournament intensity—bracket fights, champions, and medal moments.
Portraits in motion: charges, leaps, and those “I can’t believe I blocked that” faces.
Camp life candids: armor repairs, late-night hangs, and goofy in-between moments.
Why I love them:
Battle events are pure kinetic joy to photograph. Even if you don’t book a full session, you’ll probably end up in my candid galleries doing something glorious or ridiculous (sometimes both).
Other Realms You’ll Find Me In
Beyond the big LARPs and battle events, there are a few other places I return to again and again:
Ohio Renaissance Festival
Renfaire meets fantasy photoshoot heaven. I’m often there for:
Couples & engagement sessions in full fantasy attire
Character portraits (orcs, knights, mages, you name it)
Candid faire coverage when I’m not booked solid
Literary Adventures
(Waynesville OH)
Small-town charm + Bookish adventures = perfection.
Cozy, storybook-style portraits
Orc antics (yes, I’m usually chasing the orcs with my camera)
Great backdrop for family or couple sessions with a fantasy twist
Local Weddings & Fantasy Events
While this blog is focused on LARPs and nerdy events, I’m also:
Photographing nerdy & Renfaire-inspired weddings
Covering fantasy-themed festivals and one-off events
Hosting my own fantasy & cosplay mini sessions throughout the year
If it involves costumes, storytelling, or just a little bit of magic, there’s a good chance I either already go or I’d love to.
How to Book or Find Me at Events
If you want photos at one of these events, you’ve got options:
Pre-book a session
Reserve a time slot before the event so we can plan your look, location, and vibe. This is the best way to guarantee focused, cinematic portraits.
Grab an on-site mini (when available)
At some events, I offer shorter, pop-up sessions. These are perfect for quick character portraits, units, or friend groups.
Candid coverage
Even if you don’t book a session, you might still end up in my general event gallery fighting, roleplaying, or just laughing around a fire.
Want Me at Your LARP or Event?
If you’re a LARP organizer, event runner, or community lead and you’d love to bring GamerGurl Photography to your world:
I offer media & photography packages tailored to LARPs and battle events.
We can build multi-year coverage, promo photos, and social media content.
I’m happy to consult on immersive photo guidelines so my presence supports; not breaks your world.
Whether you’re an orc charging a line, a noble in layered silks, a goblin schemer, a dragon’s chosen champion, or just someone stepping into their first set of garb my job is simple:
📸 Help you see yourself the way your character feels.
Legendary. Messy. Brave. Complicated. Magical.
These LARPs and events are the realms I call home.
If you’re ready to tell your story in one of them… I’ll meet you on the field.
