[Jeanne d'Arc cosplay] May Glory Shine Upon France: Reflections on Shooting Fate/Grand Order

The photoshoot experience on Firefly Day 1 and attending the annual gala gave me a fresh perspective on portraying Jeanne d'Arc. During styling, pairing Over-the-knee socks with a high-neck purple velvet top and metallic armor felt notably substantial; in particular, brandishing the massive standard flag amid the dense convention crowd required immense strength, along with keeping the flagpole steady without obstructing my sightline.

Collaborating with photographer Tsubasa Yabuki was mainly aimed at leveraging the venue's intense highlights and backlight to establish a serene, crisp atmosphere. We angled by the windows to let light sweep in from the side and rear; the sheen of the purple fabric paired with the silver armor perfectly accentuated the character's poised, ethereal aura. Coordinating the long flagpole and sword blade made balancing body posture critical. As the session progressed, holding the heavy props strained my arms, requiring several short breaks, though the lively convention vibe certainly helped boost morale.

In terms of post-processing, the grading leaned heavily into cool tones with dominant blues, incorporating high-key blown highlights to obscure background venue clutter. This cool-toned retouching seamlessly fit the character's overarching aesthetic, which remains one of my favorite visual styles. Special attention was also paid to leg lines: paired with Over-the-knee socks and a high-slit skirt, the framing effectively elongated the silhouette, making the standing flag-bearing pose chosen for the cover one of the most successful candid captures.

Attending the annual yearbook gala in the evening was a tremendous honor. During the year-end recap, seeing the works of so many remarkable cosplayers with exceptional visual presentation and meticulous prop craftsmanship was truly inspiring. My Jeanne d'Arc cosplay attire still has room for improvement in prop execution, such as refining the armor edges and chain textures. My plan for this year is to continue elevating overall production quality, dedicating more effort to prop finishing and maintenance while exploring better posing synergy and camera angles through photographer communication. I hope upcoming Convention photography sessions go even smoother, with a more streamlined workflow to bring ideal creative visions to fruition on schedule.