[Daji cosplay] Naohaihui themed Zhongshan AS Comic Convention photo drop

At this Zhongshan AS Comic Convention, I finally managed to shoot the Naohaihui Daji look I had been longing to capture. The costume had actually been completed for quite a while, but I hadn't found the right opportunity for a convention or an outdoor shoot. The lighting in this studio booth was simply stellar, bringing out the luxurious texture of the golden outfit perfectly.

The wig styling took considerable effort. Because it's a short, curly style, I had to create an airy, voluminous effect while firmly anchoring two large Fox tail and ear attachments. Those fluffy ears and the gigantic tail were the main focal points of the entire look—visually adorable, yet quite hefty to handle. Especially the tail: to keep it naturally perked up instead of dragging along the ground, an internal support structure was built in, which made my lower back ache after wearing it strapped to my waist for a while.

As for the outfit, the top is a modernized black-and-gold design featuring a mandarin collar and a sleeveless cut, paired with detached arm sleeves accented by blue and red floral patterns so it wouldn't feel monotonous. Golden decorative buckles adorned the thighs, which, coordinated with black Stockings and high heels, dialed the styling's aesthetic up to the max. For the photos, I knelt directly on a white plush blanket; holding this posture for an extended period genuinely made my knees hurt. To display the full silhouette of the tail, I tilted my body slightly sideways, crossed my arms over my chest, and gazed directly into the lens. In fact, this sequence of movements took several trials: initially, the heavy tail shifted my center of gravity, causing me to tilt backward, until I finally found a steady, flattering angle.

I met many familiar friends at the convention that day, and everyone was incredibly warm. As a cosplayer, materializing a 2D character and faithfully recreating the garment details and presence is always a rewarding feeling. The light contrast was fairly strong during shooting, requiring the photographer to constantly tweak the studio lights while I regulated my breathing, controlled my facial expressions, and sharpened my gaze, striving to capture that alluring yet cool demeanor. During the shoot, I could even feel the wig slipping slightly with my movements, but thankfully the photographer was quick to snap the shots. Looking at the finished images—from textures and colors to the character's nuanced expression—it achieved everything I had envisioned. I also made subtle modifications to the costume's construction, such as adding hidden snaps at the waist to prevent the high-slit skirt from opening excessively while kneeling. The black Stockings were deliberately chosen with a sheer quality to hug the leg contours better under directional lighting. The studio floor was a bit slippery, and although padded with the white rug, the stiletto heels occasionally caught. To nail the camera presence, I tested various arm placements, ultimately deciding that crossing my hands over my chest best suited the character's aura.

In terms of hair and makeup, the red contact lenses and eye makeup took quite a while to calibrate. Wanting to highlight a sharp gaze, the eyeliner was winged slightly upward, which, paired with the orange-gold short hair, delivered a spirited, foxy charm. The red rhombus forehead ornament was hand-crafted and attached by myself, selecting materials with a metallic sheen to ensure even reflections under the lights. Throughout the shoot, I continuously followed the photographer's cues to tweak angles, as kneeling poses can easily make the hips appear overly broad, demanding an upright back and engaged core to preserve graceful posture. Balancing the costume's weight with physical equilibrium was certainly physically demanding, but the final outcome left me deeply satisfied. Although the entire process was exhausting—spanning makeup, dressing up, posing, and changing out over nearly half a day—seeing the final photos made every second worthwhile. The convention was a wonderful experience, connecting with fellow enthusiasts and producing satisfying work. I'll keep pushing forward to bring even better creations in the future.