Taking on this Custom swimsuit design shoot for Cartethyia, our core concept was the "Pool Knight." Instead of a conventional daytime Pool photoshoot, we chose late night because the pool water reveals that bottomless, deep azure hue only under nocturnal illumination. The location was an open-air pool; the water was far colder than expected, requiring serious mental preparation before stepping in.
For hair and makeup, this two-piece swimsuit featured a light grey-blue palette with tie-dye textures, creating a reflective sheen between metal and silk under night lights. With intricate accessories adorning the forehead, ears, and neck, we secured everything with rigorous waterproofing techniques on land to prevent shifting or makeup melt. The buoyancy of hair underwater was intense; to keep movements natural both below and above the surface, I constantly recalibrated my center of gravity. The clear swim ring was our central prop, but because it drifted so easily in water, holding an elegant posture on it demanded intense core strength.
A special mention goes to the greatsword prop we brought to life on site. It was remarkably long and, combined with wing-like feather accents on the blade, carried significant weight. Lifting it one-handed on land is standard practice, but doing so while balancing in water doubled the difficulty due to drag and buoyancy. To capture the dynamic feel of "turning splashes into blades," we tested churning up water through strides and pivots multiple times, while the photographer snapped candid shots from the deck, simultaneously shielding the lens from heavy sprays. Water directly hit my eyes at times, making them hard to open, but the entire team pushed through for the final result.
Nighttime lighting was another technical hurdle: light sources directed from the poolside had to cast diffuse reflections across the water's surface. At times, to secure an optimal low-angle shot, half of my body remained submerged, supported purely by core and back strength. For the shots themed around "sinking beneath the depths," I took a deep breath, submerged completely, and held my breath waiting for the shutter. Controlling how strands of hair drifted in the water proved tough—the slightest twitch turned everything into a tangled mess.
This shoot sought to convey intricate emotions. In the lore, Cartethyia is solitary; people fear her runaway hydro powers, leading her to choose self-confinement. During the shoot, I kept a calm sense of detachment in my gaze, contrasting with the vibrant, refreshing pool environment. Often, I was not simply posing, but striving to embody that bittersweet mindset of "choosing to protect even when misunderstood."
From early prep to wrapping the night shoot, the entire endeavor was intensely demanding. Despite soaking in chilly water for hours, getting goosebumps, and wrestling with unwieldy props, seeing the rippling water caressed by light and the character's narrative depth made every struggle worthwhile. Let this set commemorate a knight's tale hidden at the bottom of a pool, dedicated entirely to the night.