The official cosplay photoshoot of Wang Zhaojun's Phoenix on the Fly from Honor of Kings is finally sorted out to meet everyone.
When I first received this costume, I was deeply impressed by the red and white color scheme structure and those golden trim details. The white faux fur section on the upper body combined with the off-the-shoulder design serves as an excellent visual transition, giving the overall outfit a certain sense of weight without looking overly bulky. The pair of golden curved horn headpieces on top is a highly core element; to secure it properly, the hidden snaps and padding inside the headpiece were adjusted repeatedly several times to ensure it wouldn't shift during large movements.
This time, a whitish long wig was selected. Compared to pure white, it carries a tiny bit of cool gray tone, which looks more natural with the face shape of this styling. In terms of hair and makeup, to recreate the character's charm, green colored contacts were specially used, paired with a reddish-toned lipstick and a relatively thick upper eyeliner. The eyelashes were also handled to favor a fan-like shape, strengthening the focus of the gaze in front of the lens.
This set of photos was completed together with photographer @羁习. We spent a lot of thought on the set decoration, preserving that Chinese-style ink-wash feel of the original skin. The calligraphy sheer veil and scrolls behind me, along with the white porcelain vase on the left side, make the frame look very tightly structured through this combination of props. Paired with the backlight hitting from behind, the edges of the entire whitish wig have a beautifully gorgeous rim light, creating a texture that feels almost like it has a breathing presence.
Speaking of the shooting process, that long staff is truly heavy. It features an entirely golden-copper structure, supporting that white glowing sphere at the top. When shooting this set of images, to maintain the stability of the frame, I often needed to hold the staff with one hand or use both hands to pose it at corresponding angles. The benefit of studio cosplay is that the lighting is controllable, and the photographer's guidance allowed me to quickly find the camera angles that suit me best, avoiding the cramped awkwardness from crowds typically felt when roaming around convention floors. I could fully immerse myself in the character's emotions.
Combining the early styling with post-processing editing, the overall color was uniformly adjusted to a high-brightness, low-saturation tone to emphasize the main red palette and the character's fair complexion. The difficulty of shooting this outfit doesn't lie in how big the movements are, but rather in how to convey that dignified and elegant atmosphere; therefore, facial expressions couldn't be too theatrical, needing to carry a touch of pride and peaceful composure. Having completed this entire photo set, my understanding of this character has grown a layer deeper. I hope the finalized photos make friends who love this design feel that it is highly accurate.