Today, I'm sharing this guest photoshoot of Hu Tao's Cherries Snow-Laden look from Genshin Impact, which counts among my favorite recent shoots. When setting up this look, I communicated with the photographer, hoping to capture the character's lively and elusive nature within this scene rich in Chinese style, rather than just standing still for photos.
What makes Hu Tao most captivating is her lively, mischievous demeanor on the surface combined with her deep, inner devotion to the solemnity and traditions of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Therefore, we put a lot of effort into accessories and details for this styling. The white sailor hat atop her head is a refreshing accent, and the slightly adorable red round sunglasses perched on the brim instantly balance out the heavy main color palette. For the wig, we selected voluminous brown twin-tails featuring a reddish-brown gradient at the tips—this splash of red echoes the character's color motif while adding rich layering before the lens. For eye makeup, dark red eyeshadow was specifically applied to match her iris color, giving her expression more narrative flair.
The costume is primarily colored in white and red, paired with greyish-black collar trims and pocket designs that carry a strong Chinese street-style texture. The white flower pinned to her chest along with a lively bundle of red tassels sway naturally with movement, looking extremely photogenic against stationary set props. The detached sleeves feature the most intricate details of this outfit: wide lantern sleeves complemented by white sleeve covers adorned with diamond-shaped cutouts and red piping trim. The inner lining of the sleeves even features subtle jacquard patterns; wearing them during movement makes hand gestures appear visually larger and more dynamic. The knife-pleated skirt uses pure red fabric with a lightweight drape, ensuring that whether doing a sprightly jump or sitting on the floor with the skirt fanning out naturally, the silhouette remains crisp and clean.
The lower-body styling was also crucial for expressiveness before the camera. I paired it with grey tights—this Stockings cosplay element with a slightly semi-sheer texture and zero harsh glare creates a pleasing visual elongation under warm lighting. Matched with a pair of red-and-white color-blocked block-heel mid-calf boots, it visually extends leg proportions without making the lower silhouette feel overly heavy, perfectly fitting this hybrid semi-uniform, semi-traditional look.
Throughout the photoshoot, we experimented with three distinct poses. The first was a standing pose with hands on hips, primarily designed to showcase the outfit's overall silhouette against the calligraphy backdrop. The second was a close-up composition I personally adore: kneeling on one knee holding candied hawthorns with both hands, accompanied by a tilted head for an effortless, playful charm. The third was a semi-seated pose that fans often enjoy—sitting allowed my body to relax while the skirt naturally spread out. Supporting myself leaning forward shifted my center of gravity, which, combined with a subtle low-angle shot, cleanly highlighted my leg lines and boot details, shifting the mood from playful to a more relaxed, commanding presence.
I must say, the photographer really understood light and shadow. The scene used a soft, warm yellow light hitting the white fabric banners with black calligraphy in the background, exuding an antique elegance. The candied hawthorn prop in my hand was truly a finishing touch—I even sneaked a little bite during breaks (though it was mostly decorative, haha!). Perhaps because this outfit complemented her lively personality so well, we kept discussing small character actions during the shoot, such as twirling on the spot or playfully sliding down the sunglasses for a peek, all of which brought the images to life.
Putting on a character costume with intricate styling for a shoot is always a test of one's own understanding of the character. Beyond reproducing the external appearance, it requires conveying the intended aura through eye contact and subtle body movements. Although inside a photo studio, these Chinese-style calligraphy artworks and wooden decorations instantly draw viewers into the scene the moment they enter the frame. I hope everyone looking at these photos can feel the thought and heart I poured into this Hu Tao cosplay look. The day's photoshoot went exceptionally smoothly, and I look forward to finding another opportunity to shoot something fresh next time.