This Hu Tao outfit was prepared specially for the convention, with a focus on pattern choice and accessory details. First, the wig: this silver-white and pink gradient wig is very lightweight, so wearing it all day in the crowded convention environment didn't cause a heavy downward drag. The animal ears chose a style with a skeleton support, which, with the outer plush fur, made the wear highly stable and allowed for flexible angle adjustments. The headpieces included a golden forehead ornament and pink bead string tassels; the tassels sway naturally with movements, blending into the hair to increase visual richness.
For the costume, the color scheme is dominated by pink and white, with red piping and belt decorations. The off-the-shoulder design beautifully flatters the neck and shoulder lines, avoiding the stuffiness of everyday necklines. The waist features gold and red metal patchwork decorations that tighten the coat and add layers. The sleeves are made of breathable gauze fabric with three-dimensional pink flowers stitched on the outside; when the arms rest naturally, these petals form a natural extension. Walking around the convention, the fluttering effect of the gauze sleeves looks much more natural on camera than in static poses.
In terms of props, I prepared a folding fan painted with cherry blossoms and swallows, as well as a translucent lace umbrella. The fan bones are a black-red combination, and the fan face has geometric and floral patterns, which can be used to block the face or adjust the lighting. The lace umbrella has a relatively complex structure; one must be careful with these bead chains and thin gauze when opening it, but they form a soft blurred outline at the edges of the photo, bringing a full visual effect to the overall frame.
The shooting environment for these convention photos was relatively limited—the venue had a gray concrete floor, but we brought a white plush rug. Spreading it on the ground instantly transformed the overall atmosphere. Combined with the scattered faux cherry blossoms and the half-opened lace umbrella as a background, the entire viewframe was restricted to a clean, focused space, completely undisturbed by the clutter of the convention venue.
In this set of photos, I adopted poses mainly focusing on sitting and side-sitting. Because this costume has many layers in its hem, sitting down allows the skirt to spread out beautifully. Coordinating with different leg placements—such as extending forward or bending while side-sitting—allows for various angles to be displayed. Going barefoot paired with the red string tie around the ankle serves as a fine detail point of this styling. When crossing and extending my legs, the visual effect of the red string fits the flavor of the original setting much better than monotonous shoes and socks. During shooting breaks, I made sure to clean off any dust on the soles of my feet to ensure the close-ups turned out clean.
The photography team used a wide aperture lens throughout, rendering the crowd and booth lights behind me into soft, round bokeh. This depth-of-field control stripped away the complex convention background, locking the focus onto my poses and expressions. The makeup that day relied on a clean base, with the lip and eyeshadow using pink tones to stay uniform with the gradient wig and costume palette, reducing any visual discordance.
The convention day experience also tested physical strength and endurance. The crowds inside the hall made the already muggy space even hotter. The gauze costume easily stuck to the body after sweating, so I had to head to ventilated areas to tidy up my wig and sleeves every once in a while to ensure the fluffiness of the styling wasn't ruined by the heat. Although attendees frequently crossed the edges of the lens, requiring multiple retakes, the on-site atmosphere remained highly relaxed.
From early preparation to on-site communication, every set of photos is the result of everyone's coordination. During the shoot, I tried to stay as relaxed as possible, hoping to showcase the energetic and lively side of the character. The fabric and tailoring of the costume need to balance practical wearability with photoshoot results, especially for a styling with a lot of gauze and decorations; keeping it tidy and beautiful on-site takes a lot of effort.
This set of convention photos records a relatively complete photoshoot process. Bringing the feeling from the setting into reality is indeed a highly satisfying achievement for Anime cosplay enthusiasts.