The top priority was naturally this heavily detailed red-and-white cosplay costume. This time, I cosplayed Cheshire from Azur Lane. The overall look features very vibrant colors—a striking contrast of bold crimson and pure white, combined with golden embroidered patterns, creating a visual sense of magnificence while retaining youthful liveliness. Wearing the white ruffled headpiece required careful attention: it had to stay firmly secured while remaining fluffy and natural, with rich detail in the floral accents on both sides. To balance the overall proportions, I carefully trimmed the sideburns and bangs of the wig; the silver-blue hair tone looked exceptionally clear and luminous under the venue lights.
These photos are convention photos, and convention lighting is always a huge challenge. The overhead lighting on-site was harsh, easily blowing out highlights and creating harsh shadows. So during the shoot, I deliberately looked for sheltered corners in the exhibition hall or elevated spots with softer ambient light, creating contrast through natural light and shadow just like in these shots. A slightly low-angle composition works wonderfully inside convention halls—it avoids messy background crowds and focuses attention on the head accessories and upper body garment details. The shiny red patent leather shoes created sharp reflections, which, paired with the white stockings, brightened the visual center of the lower body—a deliberate detail in my character portrayal. The white lace thigh-high stockings, as a signature item, not only elongated the leg lines visually but also enhanced the overall gentleness of the Anime cosplay.
In post-processing, I preserved most of the raw image texture, only making minor adjustments to color temperature to neutralize the warm indoor lighting and accurately restore natural tones. I avoided heavy filters and focused on smooth light-to-shadow transitions on the skin. While the character styling has intricate layers, keeping the image clean is equally vital. Honestly, portraying Cheshire requires balancing cuteness with poise, demanding precision in body language and eye contact. I kept facial expressions controlled—neither overly exaggerated nor out of character—a sense of balance honed through repeated photoshoots.
With heavy embellishments and voluminous fur trims, enduring the indoor hall heat was quite a test of stamina. But once I got into character and stood before the lens, any discomfort faded away. Choosing the right camera angle is essential: a slightly tilted framing makes the pose feel more relaxed and optimizes overall body lines. A clean, extended leg line introduces visual breathing room into the frame. Moreover, the dark diagonal foreground blur was actually from passing crowds, but the subtle obstruction added a touch of dynamic motion and mystery.
Cosplaying such elaborate characters always requires substantial preparation. From adjusting costume sizing and sculpting the wig to designing the right makeup palette, a lot of thought is involved. To match Cheshire's silver-blue hair, I opted for lightweight, dewy base makeup paired with cool-toned eyeshadow to create a crisp and fresh presence. The brow color echoed the wig tone, while the lip color was a natural rose-mauve shade that enhanced the complexion without overpowering the look. Given her breezy marine charm, I avoided heavy eye makeup and went for subtle cat-eye eyeliner to gently elongate the eyes.
Although the shooting process was demanding, seeing how harmoniously the red, white, and gold color scheme came together against the white stockings and red patent shoes made it all feel completely worthwhile. Whether shooting outdoors or taking indoor convention photos like this, shooting technique and costume preparation go hand in hand. I hope sharing these insights on styling choices, makeup approaches, and handling convention lighting offers helpful reference for fellow creators planning similar works. Every convention shoot deepens my understanding of the character.