Prepping the costume and props for Amiya's summer event look at the 39th Firefly ACG Expo took over half a month on its own. Because this look is packed with elements, the pink lilies on the straw hat, the light blue ribbons, and those fluffy animal ears all had to be hand-assembled and anchored in advance. The wig needed careful trimming to contour my face; to keep the crown voluminous beneath the twin pigtails, I did extensive backcombing at the roots with clips and set it with hairspray. The pink checkered off-the-shoulder top is made of a light, breathable fabric, with the collar bow and choker echoing each other nicely. Paired with denim shorts, the whole palette looks remarkably crisp and refreshing. The blue patch on the shorts and the leg strap were also custom-crafted to mirror the official design, rendering great texture under the convention sunlight.
It was intensely hot on the convention day, making outdoor shooting a real test of stamina and makeup endurance. Facing the strong natural light, photographer Buri and I brainstormed at length, ultimately choosing a spot in front of yellow-and-black safety barriers framed by lush green foliage. This setting accentuated the bright colors of the outfit while keeping distracting background clutter out of the frame. The inflatable swim ring prop was truly a stroke of genius—not only did it enrich the visual summer vibe, but it was also a lifesaver during posing. Squatting for photos often makes balancing tricky, but with the swim ring as a stable support, I could relax and stretch my body much more naturally. Poses like glancing back over my shoulder, lifting one leg, or perching atop the ring felt effortless and comfortably showcased the lines of the leg garter, neck, and shoulders.
Amiya's summer ensemble inherently leans toward a lighthearted, cheerful mood, so facial expressions didn't need to be overly stern—keeping a natural, sweet smile was key. For makeup, matching the summer theme meant dusting fine glitter across the eyeshadow, while bright blue contact lenses sharpened my gaze, topped off with a glossy lip tint. Being outdoors for extended hours made setting spray and loose powder touch-ups non-negotiable. Sweat built up quickly around the furry animal ears, requiring gentle dabbing with tissues to prevent disturbing the base makeup.
The orange fruit plushie served as a wonderful visual anchor; I adjusted how I held it based on the camera angle to make the scene more dynamic, or balanced it atop my head for an extra touch of playfulness. Between takes, many passing convention-goers stopped by to snap photos. Everyone was very kind, and I kept adjusting my stance to work with different lenses. While convention floor shoots are fast-paced and hectic, capturing Amiya's energetic summer persona through Anime-style photography and highlighting the charm of the costume made all the exhaustion melt away the moment the final photos came in. Through every shoot, I continue refining my attention to wardrobe and prop details. Tackling this fresh Summer outfit style again will definitely benefit from even smarter location scouting and scheduling. Choosing breathable fabrics for the outfit also went a long way in helping me stay in great shape throughout the convention heat.