This photoshoot features Justina Gu cosplay in her Winter Blossom skin. When I received this costume, what captivated me most was the voluminous white faux-fur collar adorned with exquisite gold thread embroidery, combined with the blue-purple corset sash and metallic ornaments, taking the overall texture to the max. When portraying such a Wuxia style character, the layering and dimensional depth of the costume are truly vital.
Before shooting, I discussed with the photographer for a long time, aiming to express an aura of cool aloofness blended with free-spirited ease. We chose this dense bamboo forest as the location for Ancient style photography, as the serene tranquility of bamboo aligns seamlessly with the character's traits.
The first look featured a bamboo hat. Wearing a conical bamboo hat actually tests your balance, especially with the white fluffy pom-poms lining the rim, but putting it on immediately exudes a strong Jianghu martial-arts aura. In the photo where I hold the long sword and look back at the camera, that glance-back motion was shot repeatedly because I had to simultaneously manage the angle of the hat, the extension line of the sword, and the relaxation of my facial muscles. To project that tense yet effortless readiness for battle, the tension in the hands could not waver.
After taking off the bamboo hat, we switched between several different moods. In some scenes, I sat on the waterside rocks holding a blade of grass between my lips. This relaxed state actually fits my understanding of the character deeply: masterfully skilled in martial arts, yet unconstrained and free-spirited. That blade of grass was picked on the spot; holding it in my mouth required preventing it from snapping or awkwardly covering my lips, while ensuring my gaze wasn't overly fierce, allowing an ease mixed with a touch of untamed wildness to emerge.
The full-body shots best showcase the completeness of the outfit, especially the one standing within the moon gate. The circular framing of the archway brings a natural framed-view aesthetic, with the bamboo and flagstone path outside looking deeply serene. Under the sunlight, the black leather-textured boots and golden patterns on the legs gleamed beautifully, which, paired with the white lower hem, elongated my body proportions significantly.
Truth be told, the heaviest parts of this costume were the metallic waist ornaments and the tassels on the back. Walking or posing required caution to avoid catching them on bamboo twigs or the outfit itself. But to deliver the most flawless character presence, enduring that weight was well worth it. For hair and makeup, I styled the hair into a high ponytail paired with blunt bangs, which accentuated my facial contours and eye makeup details exceptionally well under the intricate shadows of the bamboo forest.
Recreating such a Wuxia style character poses a challenge not just in costumes and props, but in mastering subtle expressions. Being overly cold looks stiff, while being too cheerful contradicts her temperament. In front of the camera, I tried to maintain an emotional state separated by a thin sheet of ice: quiet, focused, yet ready to strike at any second. Several close-up shots—such as focusing my gaze from behind bamboo leaves, or tilting my head back against a bamboo stalk with eyes closed—beautifully captured this unique atmosphere of wandering the Jianghu.
In terms of color grading, we chose a slightly cool-cyan base tone, muting the background greens to highlight the white garments and black hair. In particular, the blue gleam on the sword blade stood out vibrantly in the dim bamboo forest, adding a touch of fantasy to the overall visual. The entire Ancient style photography shoot was a wonderful experience; from costumes and props to the venue, everyone meticulously prepared every detail. Bringing my understanding of the character's temperament and lore into these static frames through this cosplay performance was a truly special journey.