Going straight into the main topic of this ICOS Beijing Anime Festival. This angel styling with blue hair and a white dress took quite a lot of preparation time before setting off, especially the feathered wings on the back and the glowing halo on the head.
To fit the Fantasy style atmosphere, a refreshing blue short hair style was chosen for the wig, and together with the hair accessories and surrounding transparent water ball props, the overall visual effect was indeed very dreamy. In terms of photography, we specially chose a relatively soft-lit spot inside the exhibition hall, utilizing flashlights and ambient light sources to highlight the refraction effect of the water balls and the texture on the wings. This bright shooting method with dynamic light effects perfectly highlights the light and shadow layering of the cosplay styling, and the cooperation with the photographer this time was also highly seamless. To achieve the best results, we even made a special trip to the venue in advance to scout locations, searching for areas without cluttered crowds in the background, which made the final photos look much cleaner.
The venue is indeed massive, with crowds surging inside the 20,000-square-meter exhibition hall. Although the August weather was somewhat hot, everyone's enthusiasm completely overshadowed the temperature. The exact moment I carried the wing props into the venue, the head-turning rate was incredibly high; many fellow fans and tourists came over to ask about the origin of the look or request group photos, and this kind of interaction was truly lovely. The live atmosphere was relaxed and bustling, allowing me to not only see many excellent original costume designs but also feel the vitality of anime culture exchange. Meanwhile, the air conditioning inside the venue was powerful, and with a dazzling array of various booths, the convention-strolling experience was fantastic.
Overall, this photoshoot was not only a test of my own hands-on styling abilities but also a great opportunity to deeply experience the charm of anime conventions. Whether it was setting up exhibition gear, discussing lighting with the photographer, or sharing prop-making experiences with friends on-site, these all belong to the very grounded parts of the cosplay experience. To me, a high-quality convention experience is not just about taking photos and getting final cuts, but more about the sense of participation throughout the entire process. Gathering due to a shared hobby in such an enthusiastic environment and putting one's heart into completing a look is a highly fulfilling thing in itself. I hope this atmosphere of pure exchange can continue forever, and I hope future convention events will bring more surprising visual experiences.