[Altria cosplay] Saber from Fate/Grand Order: Holding a Cat Instead of a Sword Today

Adding the cat-holding segment to this photo set was actually a spontaneous decision on the day of the shoot, as we had initially only planned standing poses with the sword. Posing with the sword required considerable wrist strength; made of resin with a metallic coating, it was heavier than expected. Raising the blade in a backless blue dress put significant demands on shoulder engagement, and the photographer kept reminding me to drop my shoulders.

For styling, prepping the blonde hair wig took quite some time—the bangs had to be trimmed to just the right level of neatness, and after pinning up the bun at the back, positioning the ahoge cowlick on top took careful adjustment. The makeup focused on color harmony and sculpting eye contours. The blonde hair, blue dress, and black spiked collar created high visual contrast on camera. The green contact lenses and deep eye contouring added dimensionality to the gaze, matching the sharp focus characteristic of 2D anime characters. I chose a matte red lipstick so it wouldn't cast distracting glare under indoor studio lighting.

The shooting environment was straightforward—leaning against a neutral gray wall and relying on front fill lights and shallow depth of field to make the subject pop. The look-back pose in the first photo was designed to showcase the backline and the commanding aura of holding the longsword. Since the blue dress fabric was prone to specular reflections, we tested lighting angles repeatedly, thankfully achieving even skin textures without noticeable overexposure.

The second photo conveys a completely different vibe. Holding the cat shifted my center of gravity forward, and keeping my arms engaged to support it left my muscles tense. Fortunately, the cat was well-behaved—never scratching and looking directly into the lens. Because its eye color closely mirrored my green contact lenses, that interactive moment felt magical. I tilted my head slightly to align with the cat's line of sight, instantly transforming the solemn knight stance into a lively, casual interaction that infused the frame with organic vitality. Even with contact lenses, I had to ensure the cat's paws stayed clear of my eyes, carefully balancing posture with each shutter press.

The shooting process was more intricate than anticipated, with backdrop lighting adjustments and wig maintenance taking up substantial time. Compared to standing rigidly with the sword, I find the candid interaction with the cat in the second photo much more natural, capturing spontaneous reactions. Wearing a backless dress felt chilly, but enduring it was essential to honor the character's presence and the garment's texture. After wrapping up, I checked the outfit carefully; the blue satin along the back wrinkles easily, but fortunately, no disruptive creases appeared in the final delivery. For Altria, I believe the core aura lies in a dignified gaze and resolute posture, so even while holding the cat, I maintained a subtle, composed expression. This experiment showed me that a shoot doesn't always require an aloof, static stance—incorporating natural moments can beautifully reveal another facet of the character. Friends noted the contrasting moods between these two photos, so I wanted to share both together.