I completed this set of Kagiyama Hina cosplay photos by the shores of Dali Erhai Lake at night. The main inspiration for this shoot stemmed from the Nagashibina prayer lore in Touhou Project—as river lanterns drift away with the water flow, they carry prayers to wash away misfortune and disease, bestowing health and happiness. For this shoot, the character's look was meticulously recreated: the giant red ribbon bow was crafted from custom fabric with premium white lace along the edges, requiring meticulous reinforcement with hairpins and wire hoops to stay upright in the wind due to its sheer size. The wig was specially chosen in a soft light teal, with the bangs styled carefully to achieve a translucent look under the night lighting. The makeup accentuated blue eyes and glossy lips, aiming to express a quiet yet slightly mysterious demeanor. The dress's deep-red velvet and velour fabric showed fantastic texture under the lights, with the green embroidery along the side of the skirt custom-stitched to match the canon design.
The nighttime scenery of Dali Erhai Lake is remarkably well-suited for Night portrait photography. The most challenging part of the shoot was coordinating with the waterside props—crouching at the water's edge while lifting the red gown, with my toes barely touching the chilly water surface, all while maintaining balance to keep the dress from getting soaked. To cultivate the Nagashibina prayer atmosphere, we placed multiple warm-yellow square paper lanterns across the shore's gravel and rocks, alongside several floating flower-shaped river lanterns on the water. Combining these practical light sources with fill lights, the photographer established a striking warm-and-cool contrast between the cool-blue night sky and the warm-yellow lantern glow, endowing the photos with rich depth. Throughout the shoot, we explored various poses—such as hands clasped in prayer, glancing back across the water, and lifting the dress out of the water—striving to capture the character's composed, serene, and subtly melancholic elegance. With so many accessories, wearing the complete costume carried noticeable weight, and temperatures by the water were quite low at night. When the wind blew, to protect the bow's angle and the flowing drape of the skirt, I had to bundle up in a coat between takes. Though the process was physically demanding, seeing the lights, water shadows, and character melt together seamlessly brought an immense sense of fulfillment.