The location chosen for this shoot was a densely vegetated wooded area that truly mirrored the mood of the Forest of Magic in Touhou Project. To faithfully portray Alice Margatroid, I prepared a light-blue dress in advance. The outfit boasts numerous fine details, especially the white lace capelet at the collar and the pink satin ribbons at the waist, and the cut-out openwork patterns along the skirt were verified repeatedly. Although the original canon often features classic leather shoes, navigating this terrain of mud and tangled grass prompted me to switch to brown lace-up boots—which not only provided steady footing, but surprisingly added a vintage, practical mix-and-match flair to the overall ensemble.
The wig featured golden wavy curls, topped with a white lace headpiece and pink ribbons. For makeup, I accentuated the blue eye shades to capture her refined yet mysterious essence. The prop grimoire was crafted specifically for this set: bound in red with gold trim and white lace accents, it had a substantial weight in hand. When cosplaying her previously, I often leaned toward formal Western-style mansions or studio settings, but this time I wanted to maximize an authentic, everyday slice-of-life vibe. The waist of the dress was closely tailored, and to showcase smooth contours, I did some prep work before the shoot. The pink bowknot not only embellished the dress but visually elongated the figure. While the boots diverged from conventional dress pairings, they fit the grounded, natural environment of soil and fallen leaves far better. Knowing the book might rest on tree bark or mossy ground, I chose resilient materials and distressed the edges so the red-and-gold cover popped cleanly against the dim woodland background.
We were blessed with glorious sunshine on the day, though forest lighting is notoriously difficult to tame; dappled light filtering through the canopy looks gorgeous on fabric, but easily blows out facial highlights. We constantly adjusted our angles, alternating between backlit and rim-lit perspectives. For one sequence by the brook, I held up my skirt along the bank with my heart pounding, terrified of slipping on the slick rocks. Sitting right on the ground carpeted with dry leaves and wild grass, I stopped worrying about dirtying the dress, focusing entirely on making the poses look effortless and organic. The woodland was tranquil, punctuated only by occasional birdsong. When the breeze stirred, the skirt hem and pink ribbons fluttered, requiring multiple rapid bursts to catch the perfect frame. To me, Alice isn't a flamboyant sorceress, but rather a girl immersed in her own quiet universe. In the Forest of Magic, she would naturally stroll alone, read, and refine her dolls. I incorporated thoughtful moments into the poses—resting a hand against my brow to look into the distance, or gazing intently at fresh leaves sprouting from an old stump. My favorites from this set are the dynamic candid captures: opening my arms toward the sunlight, or holding the book in one hand while lifting the hem with the other, breathing life into a static costume. Outdoor shooting is tied to the weather; clouds occasionally veiled the sun, forcing us to wait for the light. Though demanding, the soft transitional lighting in the final shots yielded the exact gentle texture I envisioned. The shoot was tiring, with forest bugs everywhere and walking through mud in heavy boots testing my stamina. But seeing the delicate ruffles, the tactile lace, and the sunlight filtering through leaves in the finished photos made every effort worthwhile. Immense thanks to the photographer for their patience, and to this forest for inspiring such imagery. I hope these pictures convey that serene tranquility to everyone.