At the Beijing IJOY Anime Exhibition held on May 3rd at the Beijing National Convention Center, I completed this set of convention photos featuring Justina Gu's summer swimsuit look from NARAKA: BLADEPOINT. This outfit is a light blue, halterneck midriff-baring style featuring white cutout floral prints across the chest and a single-sided asymmetrical cutout design, accented with sheer tulle armbands on both sides. To build a refreshing summer vibe, accessories primarily featured a wide-brimmed straw hat with frayed fringe trim, alongside silver strappy high-heeled sandals; multi-colored beaded bracelets on the wrists also added subtle layers of detail.
Work actually started very early on the day of the shoot, beginning base makeup and hairstyling at 6 AM. Long straight black hair paired with straight-cut bangs faces a dual challenge from wind and sweat outdoors, so I applied extra hair-setting spray to prevent the style from collapsing over the course of the day. Upon arriving at the convention center, we conducted outdoor location shoots first. The weather in Beijing was lovely that day, with abundant sunlight; the light gray floor tiles in the plaza bounced natural light, giving the skin tone a more translucent appearance. Outdoor foot traffic was exceptionally heavy, making it quite challenging to find a clean background; we picked an open space away from main thoroughfares, using the glass curtain wall of the building facade as a grand backdrop. Poses like standing while lifting one leg or holding the hat brim with both hands naturally conveyed the dynamic lightness of this short skirt style.
The studio shoot concentrated mainly in the afternoon. Against a pure black background, the entire silhouette was rendered more completely. The legs of the high stool and the body posture formed a fresh composition; particularly when seated, finding the precise angle was essential to make legs look slender while keeping the upper body upright with shoulder blades drawn back. To capture a natural skin luminosity, lighting utilized two soft strip lights, preserving genuine skin texture. Between takes, poses were repeatedly adjusted—such as holding the hat with one hand or swaying legs sideways in a seated position—until the visual weight and angles achieved optimal balance. Because this outfit features an asymmetrical cut, maintaining full coverage at all times required me to pay extra attention to motion amplitude and angles, which was physically exhausting.
Pre-shoot garment preparation was paramount: the white botanical patterns on the light blue fabric were prone to looking cramped if wrinkled, requiring a mirror check for smoothness before every repositioning. The ribbons on the straw hat strap also needed constant untangling to prevent twisting during movement transitions. Wearing that hat alongside clear makeup lent a more natural demeanor. After all, Justina Gu's in-game persona is a cool, aloof princess, whereas this summer swimsuit presents a refreshing beach vacation vibe—an intriguing contrast.
At the convention site, I encountered many well-prepared cosplayers, and numerous passersby came over during shooting breaks to inquire about this outfit. Everyone expressed diverse opinions regarding this modern modified swimsuit blending traditional aesthetic elements, creating a lively atmosphere. After an entire day of shooting, despite sore waist and legs, seeing various frozen moments in the viewfinder brought immense accomplishment. I personally place great importance on controlling light and details, as high-quality shots rely not on heavy retouching, but on the harmony between on-site lighting and model expressiveness. As long as raw shot foundations are solid, great results naturally follow. The final set selected representative angles to showcase this look, hoping to convey both the swimsuit's design nuance and the authentic convention ambiance.
Executing a combined outdoor and indoor studio setup truly refines one's adaptability to different environments. Outdoor shoots test candid capture and eye contact, while indoor studio shoots demand muscle control and facial expression management. This set curated with the photographer serves as my final submission for the Beijing IJOY Anime Exhibition. Whether through meticulous lighting against a black background or natural states on the outdoor plaza, both feel truly representative. I hope this Justina Gu cosplay allows viewers to experience another layer of charm from this character in a summer beach environment.