This time, in order to capture that aloof yet slightly mysterious temperament of a nun, I put a lot of thought into the makeup and styling. First is the hairstyle: I chose long straight black hair paired with heavy blunt bangs and a touch of hime cut. After wearing a wide white headband, that ascetic vibe instantly came out. For the eye makeup, I specially used deep-colored colored contact lenses, slightly accentuated the eyeliner, and paired it with bright red lip makeup to present a calm yet unapproachable expression in front of the camera.
In terms of clothing, the cut of this long black dress is crisp and structured, with puffed shoulders that support the overall aura. The white high-neck shirt worn underneath is key; the lettuce hem on the collar and the vertical buttons on the chest add vintage detail. The white lace trim deliberately exposed at the cuffs is also a small highlight, preventing the pure black dress from looking too dull. The silver cross necklace with red accents on the chest is definitely the finishing touch; the moment you put it on, the vibe is just right.
The prop is a Western rapier, which is also a core element of this shoot. With a metal basket guard and a slender blade, it is quite heavy in the hand. To strike a nice pose, the wrists need to exert hidden strength. Whether holding the sword forward with one hand or raising it over the head with both hands, every freeze requires maintaining muscle tension. Especially from the backlit angle, the flare effect produced by the light passing through the guard is stunning. To capture that fleeting moment of light and shadow, I tried various angles several times.
For the lower body, to add a sense of layering to the overall look, white stockings and black platform leather shoes were paired. When walking or lifting the skirt hem, the line sense of the lower body stands out. In front of the yellow glowing circular arch on-site, the contrast of light and shadow enhanced the texture of the photos significantly. When standing, slightly raising the head or looking directly into the camera, paired with the sword in hand, I wanted to create a visual effect that is gorgeous yet on the verge of danger. Throughout the shooting process, I kept communicating with the photographer about the focal point of the gaze and the posture of holding the sword, striving to accurately convey this wonderful conflicting aesthetic in every shot.