This outdoor pool location shoot for Amiya was finally brought to fruition. I saw everyone joking in the comments about the ears looking like a donkey—I see you all, but she's definitely a bunny, not a donkey! 🥲 All jokes aside, the process of bringing this set together had quite a few twists and turns, making this the perfect opportunity to share some styling and shooting insights.
First, regarding the much-debated pairing of the bunny ears and the straw hat: during styling, I was constantly fine-tuning the angle of the ears and the texture of the fur. Many felt this combination might look jarring, but for a summer theme, a bit of exaggerated flair makes it far more memorable. The blue choker and leg ring around my thigh were chosen to ground the sweetness of the pink-and-white Off-shoulder plaid shirt, while harmonizing with the pool's blue tones and the background welcome signage. For footwear, I intentionally went with black platform double-strap sandals, which not only elongated the leg lines but also provided stable footing on the wet wooden poolside decking.
Now onto makeup. I've always believed that if the makeup and styling aren't dialed in, even heavy Photoshop can't save it. For the base, I bypassed heavy concealer to focus on a sheer, natural finish, even preserving the subtle texture of real skin under direct sunlight. For the eyes, bright blue contact lenses were paired with soft, light-toned eyeshadow to channel Amiya's resolute yet quietly aloof demeanor. However, in an outdoor pool setting with intense glare and unpredictable lighting, makeup can easily melt and streak. It was scorching hot on the day of the shoot; the handheld fan wasn't just a prop, but a literal lifesaver for cooling down. Touch-ups were constant to keep everything intact, which is why the skin texture in the final images looks so authentic.
In terms of pose design, to reflect a casual summer atmosphere, I planned several distinct attitudes. The first frame—standing with one hand raising the fan and the other on my hip—emphasized overall proportions and a confident posture. Reclining on the lounger with legs outstretched conveyed a relaxed, languid vacation feel. The dynamic snapshot of kicking one leg backward broke up the static stiffness of the poolside. Throughout the shoot, I kept thinking: as a leader, Amiya carries so much weight on her shoulders every day; if placed in a summer setting like this, she would surely relish this rare moment of leisure. So with my expressions, I strove to convey a relaxed, slightly playful youthful charm rather than keeping a stern face the entire time.
The challenge of an outdoor shoot lies in uncontrollable environmental factors. The massive lettering in the background, distant buildings, and stray objects drifting into frame demanded sharp compositional instincts from the photographer. We baked under the blazing sun by the pool for hours, running countless takes just to catch the prettiest light caustics on the water's surface. Getting this set across the finish line was truly a team effort enduring the blistering heat. Despite the exhaustion, seeing the final images made me feel we did this bunny look complete justice.
Overall, this photoshoot was a bold experiment. From the wardrobe palette to offering an alternative interpretation of her persona, I hope it brings everyone a refreshing perspective. Please leave your thoughts in the comments—I'll be replying to everyone, and if you have questions about the makeup or posing, I'd love to share more tips.