Shooting this Swimsuit look for Zai Ji from NARAKA: BLADEPOINT (Zai Ji cosplay) was truly a physical challenge. When I first got my hands on the costume and props, my immediate impression was that the texture was even better than expected. In particular, the Prop sword felt substantial and heavy in hand—not only was the teal-blue gem on the hilt eye-catching, but the cyan water-ripple relief along the blade was crafted with exquisite detail. To match the blade's texture, the makeup artist specifically paired it with light-colored contact lenses and pristine White hair, unifying the entire palette into a cool, sharp ambiance.
On the day of the shoot, we utilized clean high-key photography lighting; a pure white backdrop easily washes out costume details. However, this white Swimsuit paired with the side sheer skirt and the prominent golden rose at the waist created distinct dimensional layering against the white setting. Yet because the fabric is pure white and lightweight, posing required extreme care regarding fit to prevent awkward creases. Photographer @虾酱nya exhibited masterful lighting control, brightening my natural skin tone and seamlessly harmonizing the white outfit with the silver-white hair.
We put significant thought into pose choreography. First was the forward-striding sword-shoulder pose, requiring opened shoulders to leverage profile lines for added visual tension while beautifully flattering leg proportions. The over-the-shoulder glance was designed to emphasize waist-to-hip curves, with the blade partially obstructing the view to leave room for imagination. For single-leg standing and barefoot floor-seated poses—where barefoot styling heightened the vivid contrast between skin and white fabric—maintaining prolonged balance demanded tight core engagement. Paired with adjusting the angles of the clear high heels, my legs and core were genuinely sore after the session, yet facial composure had to remain effortless before the lens.
This outfit is not a complex, heavy cosplay costume; it leans toward fashion and athletic swimwear, demanding high standards for body silhouette. It requires projecting summer refreshment without compromising the character's lethal, resolute edge. Half the shooting time was spent adjusting the sword's orientation and the skirt's flutter—such as in the kneeling sword-holding shot, where blade reflections had to catch the face without obscuring chest lines, while keeping nail colors harmonized with the white palette. The airy sheer skirt produced completely different light translucency between standing and sitting, which the photographer explored across multiple angles. Compared to intricate armor or heavy textiles, this nearly all-white look severely tested lighting skill, as slight missteps could flatten white into blown-out dead zones, losing the semi-translucent layering. The color reproduction turned out wonderfully luminous, with fluttering hair strands and static tassels creating dynamic balance. Relinquishing the heavy Prop sword at wrap-up brought an immense sense of relief. While these photos showcase sensual costume aesthetics, they reflect a deeper, reimagined interpretation of the character's spirit.