The Hu Tao cosplay shoot under this New Spring pre-made meal theme has finally wrapped up. The set was arranged at Yelai Guangyue Photography Studio using a realistic Chinese-style interior studio. Elements like red plum blossoms, golden leaves, red lanterns, and spring couplets were densely arranged in the background, creating a rich festive atmosphere against the dominant bright red tone.
The shooting outfit was this red-and-white plush costume. The thick white fur on the collar, cuffs, and hem provided real warmth for winter shooting, making it very comfortable to wear. The garment was made of red satin with a delicate texture, though it easily showed noticeable creases, requiring frequent straightening between takes. The chest accessory featured a golden base with a blue gemstone, adorned with two red cords and tassels—delicate in detail, though putting it on took a bit of time. The hairstyle featured twin braids paired with double buns on top, tied with red ribbons and white pom-poms; I deliberately chose an understated Sweet girl style that, combined with the bangs and eye makeup, created an approachable look.
The white fluffy puppy plush prop held during the shoot was soft and squishy, requiring careful control over hand movements and angles to ensure it didn't completely block my face or obscure the main costume. When crouching or sitting, since the skirt was relatively short, I had to constantly cover up with plush props or blankets while keeping leg lines looking natural. The massive lion dance head prop on the right side of the set was very eye-catching, and the photographer placed it in the lower-right corner as foreground to create a grand composition.
The lighting for this shoot was primarily warm yellow, supplemented by soft pink light filtering through the red sheer drapes from the rear side, making the complexion look luminous and helping the red costume pop on camera. The photographer guided several turnaround and head-lowering movements to showcase the garment's side profile and the red tassels. During shooting, I made sure to keep facial expressions relaxed without over-exaggerating smiles, just enough to aptly convey the playful charm of Hu Tao in NARAKA: BLADEPOINT.
Although the overall style is 2D, pairing such a warm character within a Chinese setting offered a truly unique experience. The white fur on the outfit shed easily and tended to pick up dust from the floor, requiring continuous checks on set, but fortunately the final result was very satisfying. This post mainly serves as a record of this piece, appreciating the character's temperament and styling texture, making for a smooth and rewarding shoot.