Today's outdoor photoshoot took place at an open-air swimming pool in the city. We originally planned to go to the beach, but considering travel time and the weather that day, we ultimately settled on this outdoor pool framed by palm trees and skyscrapers. The first summer outfit was a white bandeau top paired with a wide-brimmed straw hat. The golden starfish ornament on the chest was particularly striking, harmonizing with the pink halter ties and beaded bracelet on my wrist. Translucent tulle draped across my arms created a beautifully airy, flowing visual when caught by the breeze. For the second look, I changed into a white off-the-shoulder tee with colorful prints, paired with light blue denim shorts and white over-the-knee socks. To match this outfit, I tied the wig into twin tails and swapped in blue-and-white hairpins. Both outfits centered on white as the primary tone, accented by touches of blue and pink to perfectly fit the refreshing summer theme. During the shoot, standing by the pool in the first look as a straw hat girl under the blinding sun made it tough to keep my eyes fully open, so the photographer kept reminding me to tilt my head down slightly, letting the straw hat's shadow soften the glare. This gesture not only smoothed out facial lighting but also accentuated the necklace and the starfish detail on the top.
Because the venue was by the pool, direct sunlight was intense. To avoid overexposure, we placed a softbox behind and to the side, slightly warming the color temperature. Even with high-rises and palm trees creating an urban resort backdrop, shooting out here was genuinely exhausting. The outdoor heat was high, and moving around in a wig, sleeves, and over-the-knee socks left me drenched in sweat. For makeup, I emphasized well-blended blush paired with a glossy coral lip tint that matched the summery atmosphere. I opted for a lightweight, sweatproof foundation and kept a setting spray on hand for regular touch-ups to prevent caking under harsh light. The wig was treated with anti-frizz serum beforehand; although the outdoor wind blew it around a bit, it actually lent an effortless, candid feel.
There were many grey square stepping stones along the edge of the pool. When sitting on them to shoot, keeping the core engaged was crucial—straightening the spine and tightening the abdomen created tighter, cleaner visual lines. Pulling off white stockings in the second outfit is notoriously tricky since they can easily make legs look thicker, so we intentionally designed poses with bent knees and angled profiles, using light and shadow to sculpt leg contours. The pool surface provided natural fill reflection, while pink and blue floats in the water added delightful splashes of color. To capture the shimmering ripples, the photographer experimented with multiple angles, crouching very low in some takes so water reflections danced right across the folds of my clothes. I especially adore the first shot of turning slightly while holding the sheer tulle—the sunlight filtered just along the edge of the straw hat onto my cheek and collarbone, creating incredible mood.
Many friends asked whether these two looks could be worn daily. The bandeau top from the first look shows a bit more skin, making it better suited with high-waisted wide-leg trousers or a midi skirt, while the second off-the-shoulder tee is versatile enough to pair casually with jeans or a mini skirt. Although framed under swimsuit photo concepts, I styled them as lightweight urban resort wear. The overall impression is breezy, breathable, and playfully summery. After wrapping the shoot, I feel like I tanned an entire shade, but the resulting light, shadow, and ambiance completely met expectations—especially the striking visual contrast between the white stockings and the blue pool. As a quick tip for outdoor swimming pool photography, attaching a CPL filter to your lens effectively cuts harsh surface glare, making the pool look crystal clear. That's all for today's shoot log—I'll share more styling ideas next time.