For this studio shoot of Kochiya Sanae from Touhou Project, tremendous effort went into the costume's tactile quality. The deep navy base fabric, woven with subtle damask waves and wing patterns, was spliced with generous amounts of delicate white lace, presenting an overall lavishness reminiscent of vintage Western gowns. The white inner blouse on the upper body and the golden ornaments adorning the neckline naturally drew the visual focus inward. To complement the outfit, I also prepared a pair of chunky-soled black leather shoes worn with white ruffled ankle socks, creating a gorgeous sweeping arc with the skirt hem in motion. The wig was an extra-long mint green style with substantial volume; during styling, special care was needed to separate the layers and sculpt dimensional highlights to keep it from looking stiff or heavy. The twin sidelocks and blunt bangs preserved the character's signature silhouette, harmonizing with polished anime makeup—particularly the enlarged, defined eyes—to bring the overall look closer to the original design. The handheld prop was also custom-modified: the traditional gohei was replaced with an ornate folding fan embellished with tassels, beaded chains, and intricate motifs, which felt pleasantly weighted and substantial in hand.
The studio setup was primarily designed to evoke a fantastical atmosphere. In Photo 1, the composition features holding the prop high with one hand, accompanied by post-production stellar light trails, cyan geometric magic circles, and cool-toned key lighting, which emphasized the tension and kinetic momentum of the movement—especially the moment the billowing skirt flared out to showcase the tiered craftsmanship. Photo 2 presents a comparatively static standing posture, focusing on the frontal silhouette of the dress and the prop's delicate details; although some photography equipment and staff are visible in the background, the on-set lighting preserved the subject's exquisite textures impeccably. As hall-style event photos, capturing ideal frames within limited time constraints truly tested the photographer's expertise. These two shots—one dynamic, one serene—cover both moods envisioned for this styling. The lace borders along the hem, the broad drape of the detached sleeves, and the chunky footwear were all crisply captured before the lens. The magic circle and starlight visual effects added in post-production also echoed the character's miracle-working aura, lending deeper narrative depth to the entire frame. The garment coordination wasn't just about faithful recreation, but elevating grandeur within tasteful limits—such as layering the white lace trim multiple times to enhance poof and volume. The sleeve cuffs are quite unique; while wide sleeves easily snagged on props during motion, their languid drape in still poses was profoundly elegant. For makeup, the base was kept clean and translucent, focusing primarily on eye definition using eyelid tape and color contacts to achieve a 2D doll-like aesthetic. Strategic highlights and contouring lent dimension to facial features, keeping them from washing out under intense lights. Overall, the studio lighting and post-production editing completely met my expectations for this set of hall shots.