Slipping into this Rem cosplay swimsuit and stepping onto the water swing into the pool instantly cooled me down completely.
This swimsuit features a translucent fabric layered over a blue-and-white striped base, paired with a matching sailor-collar short-sleeved top and pleated skirt. The yellow necktie at the collar was the finishing touch; the blue-and-yellow color contrast made the visuals pop. On my legs, I paired white over-the-knee stockings with blue stripes, which took on a distinctive aesthetic when soaked in water.
The centerpiece of this shoot was the water swing set over the pool. Featuring a wooden footboard suspended by two long poles, the water level reached just above my ankles. Sitting on it was quite a test of balance—it swayed at the slightest movement, and I had to maintain poses while making sure I didn't tumble into the water. Water resistance is noticeable, and once wet, the skirt clung to my legs with added weight, yet created an organic drape that added wonderful detail to the frame. The translucent top became even sheerer when soaked; caught in the light, the texture looked incredible.
Water surface reflections were quite intense, so photographer Xigua Hits Earth 5775 adjusted angles repeatedly to dodge the glare. To catch the dynamic splash of water, they had me kick the water with my feet. Being submerged made makeup a major challenge, but thankfully the waterproofing held up flawlessly, remaining completely intact even when splashed with droplets. The ends of the wig also got slightly wet, clumping into defined strands that produced a candid wet-hair look straight out of the water, fitting the character even better.
Playing with water during this water play season is truly a workout—staying balanced on the swing required keeping my core braced, leaving my thighs slightly sore afterwards. Yet seeing the glistening water effects on camera made all the effort of getting soaked worthwhile. Toward evening, the water began to chill, so I bundled up in a bath towel between takes. For an immersive outdoor shoot like this, beyond minding expressions and poses, you also have to stay alert for mosquitoes—bug spray is an absolute outdoor necessity. The overall color grading leaned cool, echoing my blue hair and blue outfit perfectly. Placing the subject directly into an aquatic environment infused the scene with vivid interaction between light and water, breaking the boundaries of typical studio work. Next time, I'd love to venture into deeper water to see if we can capture more underwater angles.