[Hu Tao cosplay] Fuzhou Anime Convention Photos: The Praying Maiden in NARAKA: BLADEPOINT

Bringing this gear of Hu Tao to the Fuzhou Anime Convention, the lighting at the venue was a bit more complex than imagined. The metal truss structure on the ceiling of the hall combined with various spotlights on-site posed quite a challenge for convention photos. However, since I'm here, I have to adjust my condition to its best.

Regarding this look, the silver-white wig actually took a long time to choose, as I wanted a style that was fluffy without looking heavy, perfectly framing the face. The fox ears on top of the head were manually modified by adding some fine fuzz, wanting to capture that cute Kemonomimi girl aesthetic and make it look more natural in front of the lens instead of having a stiff plastic feel. That big tail on the lower back is the soul of this outfit. When walking around the venue, I had to pay special attention to controlling its swinging direction; a little carelessness and I would step on it myself or get it stuck in the gaps of chairs. This is that "painful yet joyful" experience that fellow fans who wear big tails at conventions all understand.

On the costume, besides replicating the classic elements of Hu Tao from NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, I made some upgrades in the materials. The upper body features a white lace patchwork design, which has pretty good breathability. Although the convention interior was quite muggy, it was already much more comfortable than a fully enclosed armor suit. For the waistband, I intentionally chose a golden woven strap with subtle patterns, paired with red rope knots, hoping to better reflect the character's layering. The arm sleeves feature a grey, fingerless design with a bit of mesh pattern, forming a visual contrast with the predominant white color tone of the body.

In terms of props, the red oil-paper umbrella goes without saying—it's absolutely a plus. It not only enriches the frame's colors but also helps block some cluttered top lighting during shooting. The red-strapped wooden clogs on my feet are also an indispensable element, though wearing them for a long time really makes the soles of my feet suffer a bit. Additionally, I tried the tying method for the red ribbon on the thigh several times, adjusting it to a position where it didn't pinch the flesh yet visually elongated the legs before I dared to step out.

The shooting process at the venue was basically squeezing in wherever possible. Since the environment was quite noisy, I deliberately found a slightly open corner of the exhibition area during the shoot. The photographer was highly professional, guiding me through various posture switches for these cosplay convention photos. For example, sitting on a high stool and using the red umbrella as a frame to create a soft atmosphere; or standing on a circular platform, performing a one-leg raised movement to showcase the proportions of the full body, with that fluffy big tail draping naturally behind me. When it moved, the tail tip showed a gradient of deep and light shades, yielding an excellent effect.

That glancing-back close-up shot actually took many frames before one was selected, as I had to synchronize the twisting angle of the body with the focus of my gaze, while also controlling the fluttering of the wig to avoid blocking my eyes. This kind of close-up convention photo places high demands on the makeup; the foundation must be perfectly fitted, the eyeshadow used warm tones that echo the red string, and the lipstick leaned toward a dewy texture, otherwise it easily looks aging under the intense venue lights.

Taking convention photos is not just about striking poses, but also a contest of physical stamina. After standing for an entire afternoon wearing wooden clogs and high heels, the soles of my feet and calves were in a highly tense state. Although the process was somewhat tough, whenever I saw the satisfying snapshot effects displayed on the camera's back screen, that sense of accomplishment felt incredibly real. The convention atmosphere here in Fuzhou has always been great, and the passersby are very friendly. Thanks to the friends on-site who helped clear the background clutter, and to the photographer who even squatted directly on the ground for the sake of composition. This is a convention record about Hu Tao, and I hope the state and accuracy in the photos can satisfy everyone.