These photos were indeed taken a long time ago. Looking back at them now, I feel quite nostalgic about the studio shoot atmosphere back then. I decided to do this cheongsam cosplay set primarily because I fell in love with the modified cheongsam and the visual impact of the red-and-white color scheme. The texture and subtle pattern of the outfit actually turned out quite well under studio lighting. The high-slit design paired with white thigh-highs and white patent leather heels created a very eye-catching color balance overall.
The studio setup featured simple Chinese elements: a wooden folding screen and Japanese shoji doors behind me, along with a potted bonsai pine tree to create a tranquil Eastern atmosphere. The red umbrella and paper shide were the soul props of this shoot; holding the shide while posing added a sense of folklore and fantasy. Since the outfit was a modified design that didn't strictly follow the character's original canon setting, I added a quick apology for being OOC (Out of Character) in my original post. But back then, doing fan-creative redesigns like this was quite common—as long as you enjoyed wearing it and had fun with the shoot, that was all that mattered.
Returning to the shoot process, I referenced many works I had seen before and tried out some new poses. For the seated photo holding the umbrella, maintaining balance while crossing my legs was actually quite tricky, especially since high heels on stockings were a bit slippery in the studio, requiring a lot of patient guidance from the photographer. The standing pose holding the shide with smoke effects took many attempts to get right—finding that precise angle where smoke floated across the chest without obscuring my face. Overall, the shoot demanded strong physical control and tested both motion range and body coordination.
Speaking of the character herself, I should mention the 'lack of integrity shrine maiden' meme. When doing this shoot, I wondered if someone wearing a cheongsam while asking for offerings at a real shrine would just get kicked out. The character setting itself has a very multifaceted, quirky side, so in these visuals, I tried to express that slightly reckless yet playful shrine maiden vibe through expression and posture. The cheongsam blends well with this aura—dignified, yet with an agility brought by the high slit.
Of course, my understanding now differs from my past experience. When doing makeup and styling back then, the hair work wasn't detailed enough. While I tried my best to support the silhouette of the large bow with the wig and hairpiece, if I were to do it today, I would definitely put more effort into wig trimming and styling to achieve better volume and fit for my face shape. Combining white thigh-highs with lace gloves was very popular at the time. Looking back, the styling of pure white lace gloves paired with white thigh-highs and heels makes the composition richer with a subtle retro charm. Although this costume differs significantly from traditional shrine maiden attire, red and white remain the iconic shrine maiden colors, and paired with classic Eastern elements, the visuals still convey that distinctive charm.
Beyond frontal poses, candid shots from side angles or seated positions helped the presentation feel less staged. For example, the moment of sitting on the wooden chair holding my hair ornament was actually just me checking where the camera was adjusting, resulting in a much more natural expression. Today, there are many photography styles online—some focus heavily on ambiance, others on hardcore lore accuracy—whereas my photoshoot back then aimed for clean visuals and strong subject prominence. The bright white background, combined with visually striking red-and-white clothing and props, made the subject pop effortlessly.
I believe cosplay is not just about recreating a character, but also about feeling and expressing your own understanding of them in your unique way. Every shoot freezes a moment of passion for what you love. Even though these photos were taken long ago, seeing these images still brings back memories of the dazzling studio lights and endlessly adjusting props. From the tailoring details of the outfit to the choice of backdrops, everything reflected my dedication at the time. This feeling of discovering new insight through reviewing the past is a truly precious experience for anyone who loves cosplay.