[Altria cosplay] Vintage Greenhouse Memories from the Fate series

Posting this set to share some behind-the-scenes insights on the shooting and post-processing. The prototype for this shoot is a character from the Fate series.

The outfit was custom-made three months ago. The white shirt uses a thick cotton-poly blend with a crisp, structured collar, and the puff sleeves were adjusted several times; we originally wanted more puff, but realized too much volume made the shoulders look overly broad, so we toned it down slightly. The navy blue skirt is made from suiting fabric with excellent drape, lined with stiff interfacing at the hem to maintain its structured silhouette. Accustomed to loose clothing in daily life, wearing such a formal skirt meant being mindful whether sitting or standing, as awkward creases would easily form around the waist and back.

For hair and makeup, the blonde wig took the most effort. I picked a brighter blonde wig and used a curling iron to flip the ends inward, making it easier to braid the bun in the back. To keep flyaways down, I applied a generous amount of hair oil. For the eyes, I chose blue-green contact lenses. I opted for a matte foundation and set it with a heavy layer of loose powder—the greenhouse was extremely hot, and photographer Toujirou kept demanding strong contours; harsh lighting would make an oily sheen on the nose look very artificial.

The venue was a vintage greenhouse chosen by Toujirou, decorated richly with wooden cabinets and antique mirrors. The wisteria and daisies in hand were props; the bouquet was heavy, and holding it one-handed made my arm ache quickly. Luckily, after practicing handling it steadily, supporting the base with my left hand while lightly steadying the stems with my right made the pose appear far more natural.

The afternoon lighting on the day of the shoot was fantastic—a bit dim, but just enough to cast a crisp side highlight. Whenever adjusting poses, Toujirou provided precise cues like 'tilt slightly left', 'tuck the chin a bit', or 'relax the shoulders.' These subtle cues were invaluable for capturing the character's resolute yet serene demeanor. Wearing a long-sleeved dress in a stuffy greenhouse left both the front and back of my shirt soaked after a few sets. I had to touch up makeup twice while cooling down with a mini portable fan. Adjusting angles and postures took plenty of time, with every shutter click backed by minutes of prep.

Post-processing was quite meticulous. In Lightroom, I shifted the tones toward warm yellows and darker ambiances, deepening the wooden background textures to let the subject stand out. The white blouse wasn't blown out to pure white, retaining gentle gray tones for texture. Purple flowers and the navy dress served as cool-toned accents to prevent the frame from feeling overly heavy. In Photoshop, facial blemishes were retouched while strictly preserving skin texture to avoid an artificial airbrushed look. A subtle inner glow was added along the subject's edges for a vintage soft-light aura, and awkward folds on the skirt were smoothed out with the liquify tool.

Working through these images brought a deep appreciation for the craft; character fidelity shines through these fine details—the texture of the fabric, the flow of the hair, and the harmony of light and shadow. This set serves as our humble tribute to the Fate series. Seeing the character brought to life in just the right poise makes all the hard work entirely worthwhile.