[Yae Miko cosplay & Raiden Shogun cosplay] First Photoshoot Experience of Genshin Impact's Narukami Duo

In Inazuma City on Teyvat Continent, the bond and contrast in identity between the Narukami Duo has always been a hot topic among players. This time, acting as the photography and hair/makeup advisor, I welcomed two college girls trying cosplay for the very first time to embark on a duo creative journey belonging to Genshin Impact's Narukami Duo. This was also the first official photo set in their lives.

Let's start with the styling. The girl cosplaying Yae Miko put a considerable amount of effort into her wig and hair accessories. Long pink hair inherently tests hair texture; to recreate the character's hair flow, we spent time adjusting the curve of the bangs strand by strand and precisely positioned the metallic sapphire headpieces on the sides. Her red-and-white color-blocked outfit is very distinctive, featuring an off-the-shoulder design paired with wide white sleeves custom-printed with golden cherry blossoms and birds. The red-and-white cross wide sash at the waist requires layered wrapping; we constantly adjusted the direction of the fabric wrap to ensure it didn't look bulky visually, instead highlighting her elegant posture.

Meanwhile, the Raiden Shogun cosplay leaned more toward a commanding presence. The straight black hair with blunt bangs looks dignified and solemn, while the gradient purple-blue long braid on the side serves as the soul of the wig, achieving a natural fluffiness after repeated teasing and setting. What took the most effort was the large black-and-gold metallic pauldron on the left shoulder; it wasn't only hefty, but also needed to align seamlessly with the red cord-knot tassels on the fabric. Black leather knee-high boots coupled with thick-soled geta sandals instantly boosted her powerful aura. The purple, white, and blue costume color scheme created a wonderful visual contrast against Yae Miko's warm tones.

The shooting location was set in a Selfie studio with meticulously designed sets. The first set was purely indoors, where we used Japanese shoji doors and a blue-and-yellow background wall adorned with geometric totems to establish the core composition. I particularly love the close-up shot in the first image, using foreground blur to simulate a dreamy atmosphere that highlights their facial expressions and eye colors as they pose intimately together. The second image, selected as the cover, utilized a high-angle shot filled with visual tension. The blue-black haired Raiden Shogun sat up high, with leather boots and shoulder armor occupying a prominent portion of the frame, while pink-haired Yae Miko rested on her knees by her side, their hands naturally touching to create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and protective. This composition deftly balances the display of leg lines and costume details while preserving the unique bond between the pair.

The third set moved to a practical studio featuring a swing. The swing frame was wrapped in yellow and blue artificial flower vines against a pink-to-orange gradient landscape backdrop. Compared to the solemn, centered compositions of the first two sets, this location favored a relaxed, casual mood. While guiding these two college students facing a camera lens for the first time, we paid special attention to natural poses. The most common mistake for beginners is rigid posture and wandering eyes, so we let them interact casually while ignoring the camera—such as chatting or adjusting wigs—before snapping candid shots, which effectively alleviated their nervousness.

The lighting inside the Selfie studio was highly controllable, with softboxes flattering facial contours and bringing out the exquisite details of their makeup. Despite this being their very first cosplay, both girls quickly gained confidence with the support of hair, makeup, and props. The whole session lasted about three hours; apart from minor fine-tuning on details (such as shifting shoulder pauldrons or skirt folds), the hit rate of great shots exceeded expectations.

Seeing beloved characters from Genshin Impact presented in photos in such an authentic and heartfelt way brings immense satisfaction as a creator. Serving as a record of their first Cosplay photography experience, this set isn't just a collection of pictures, but a memorable milestone in exploring ACG culture and showcasing character charm. Though there remains room for growth in expressive power and posing techniques for their first photoshoot, it is precisely this innocence and earnestness that make the experience so precious. From costume color harmony to scene lighting atmospheres, this Narukami Duo photoshoot was a delightful accumulation of experience.