[Ukinami Yuzuha Cosplay] Summer outfit in Zenless Zone Zero: Bringing the beach bar into the studio

Summer heat always comes with an urge to soak in water, and this studio shoot perfectly satisfied all my expectations for summer. I had always wanted to visit this faithfully constructed beach bar set, and as the weather officially turned scorching, I finally locked in this swimsuit-themed shoot.

This time, I took on Ukinami Yuzuha Cosplay from Zenless Zone Zero, an ensemble that retains character sci-fi elements while incorporating abundant summer elements. The wig is a striking bright red, which, paired with straight bangs and green accents on both sides, looks exceptionally energetic under warm yellow string lights. Slipping into this pink-and-white sporty one-piece swimsuit, what drew me most were the techwear details—like the small black camera device on the chest and bright yellow spheres on both sides—which freed the overall look from traditional swimsuit monotony and added a familiar near-future street vibe. The white collar around the neck and pink-and-blue armbands also gave the overall composition richer layers.

Before shooting, I communicated at length with photographer Da Shu. Because an indoor studio environment differs from a real beach, lighting and atmospheric construction are paramount. We intentionally chose peak afternoon highlight hours to shoot, letting simulated natural sunlight stream down through thatched roof gaps. During actual execution, we used the bar counter, high stools, sandy ground, and various props to construct a narrative feel of a "seaside vacation." Items like the pink-and-white striped inflatable lifebuoy, yellow-and-white beach ball, and blue-and-white water gun weren't mere decorations, but "catalysts" that helped me naturally relax my limbs and immerse myself in character context.

Regarding pose choreography, I tried my best to match Ukinami Yuzuha's casual yet slightly cool personality traits. For seated poses, I actively adjusted my center of gravity—keeping one leg slightly bent and the other extended, utilizing platform strap sandals to elongate visual leg proportions; or picking up a pink beverage bottle while leaning against the bar counter to craft a lazy holiday vibe. For standing shots, I focused on torso and arm lines to break rigid standing postures. Props like holding water guns or resting on lifebuoys are hard to balance steadily in reality, so everyday core strength came in handy. The photographer caught moments like me turning around with the lifebuoy, or the curve at my waist and chest during subtle torsions, which required keen self-awareness as a model to present unconstrained relaxation.

Every indoor shoot feels like a miniature adventure, especially when choosing a swimsuit theme, which places higher demands on body shape presentation. Although we didn't actually enter water, indoor heat lamps and thick wigs tested physical endurance. However, seeing finished photos where clear skeletal structures and muscle contours were highlighted by rim lights made every effort feel worth it. Adding that blue band-aid decal on the thigh added a refreshing, rule-breaking touch that made the character even more vivid and fun.

Although static Cosplay photography, I always try to make images feel dynamic or let props generate playful interactions within the frame. Holding that small water gun, I imagined water blasting out the next second or felt ocean waves washing over my feet. Though small, this beach bar set provided rich shooting possibilities—from palm leaf decorations to wooden directional signs. High wooden stools, beach chairs, or even soft sand textures offered entirely distinct atmospheres from every angle. Da Shu constantly guided my light reflection angles throughout the shoot, making the character silhouette more three-dimensional in frame.

This collaboration was an absolute pleasure and gave me a fresh perspective on Summer outfit photoshoots. Instead of chasing overly extravagant techniques, we used direct, sunny body language to record the colors and warmth unique to this season. Completing this swimsuit shoot feels like wrapping up this year's summer project on a refreshing note.