[Misaki cosplay] Blue Archive's Qipao Sniper: New Year's Firefly ACG Expo Convention Photos

It's been a while since the New Year's Firefly ACG Expo ended, and today I've finally sorted out the edited photos to share this full-frame Convention photos shot of Misaki cosplay. Heading to Guangzhou during the New Year holiday was all about bringing a sense of ritual to the very first convention of the year.

Turning to the shoot itself, Misaki cosplay's canonical design is super interesting. The navy-blue short qipao adorned with golden dragon embroidery, paired with a black striped jacket, blends traditional Chinese elegance with sleek modern lines. To recreate this look, the wig was styled with twin buns and small blue flowers; though small hair ornaments fall off easily, the final outcome was totally worth it. For makeup, to capture that cool yet confident gaze, I focused on winged eyeliner and picked a deeper matte red lip color, which paired with a flawless base makeup to evoke a subtle aura of dominance.

As for props, the sniper rifle with a wooden stock and metallic body served as the soul of the outfit. It felt quite heavy when I first held it, but fortunately, the Firefly ACG Expo venue featured a realistic Chinese screen set with wooden tea tables. Leaning slightly against a wooden high stool under top lighting instantly elevated the overall visual texture. Holding the rifle pose tested my balance—especially with one leg resting on the stool; finding the center of gravity was tricky, and the stool threatened to tip at any tilt! The booth assistant actually had to hold the stool steady beside me, which was quite funny in hindsight. We also faced a dilemma during shooting regarding whether bamboo leaves should be thrown in real-time or added digitally; huge thanks to the post-processing artist, whose flying bamboo leaf special effects brought dynamic life to an otherwise static standing pose.

Overall, the experience at the New Year Firefly ACG Expo was thoroughly relaxing. Guangzhou's weather was warmer than expected, so wearing a short qipao wasn't cold at all. Although the venue was packed, attendees were orderly, and meeting fellow fans requesting photos or recognizing the character brought genuine joy. I also ran into several fantastic photographers who patiently guided my poses and lighting adjustments despite it being quick convention photos. Communicating with others yielded far more inspiration than posing blindly. While hauling heavy props all day left my back aching—especially with foot numbness from standing endlessly in high heels with metallic flower ornaments—it was all part of the classic convention pain and pleasure!

Photographically, these convention photos experimented with a full-frontal wide framing. The high stool, wooden tea table, and screen props anchored the traditional Chinese style seamlessly. I was initially worried that a full-length shot might make me look short, but cropping the raw image into a vertical frame actually elongated my proportions. Nude stockings paired with black heels were also key, visually smoothing the leg line to complement the high qipao slit. During the shoot, I stayed composed to project her composed, distant charm—though I smile a lot in real life, putting on this costume demands exuding her poised, effortless confidence.

In the end, this trip to Firefly ACG Expo was definitely worth every effort. From wig styling and makeup tweaks to positioning, every single step was carefully planned, and I'm genuinely pleased with how the photos turned out. Post-processing subtly retained the industrial ceiling of the venue, creating a fusion of modern structure with Chinese screens and fluttering bamboo leaves—a collision of traditional and contemporary aesthetics that perfectly fits my taste. I hope everyone looking at these convention photos can feel the dedication behind them, and I'll certainly be heading out again for next year's New Year convention!