This summer swimsuit look for Belle from Zenless Zone Zero was shot at the beach. To highlight the crisp and refreshing atmosphere of the summer coast, the photographer utilized high-key, fresh lighting during this outdoor shoot, giving the entire photo set a bright, translucent aesthetic.
It was actually an overcast day, with the cloud cover acting as a giant natural softbox to diffuse the light evenly. This gentle lighting is incredibly comfortable for portrait photography, especially near water. The sand was damp and cool beneath my feet, making it easy and comfortable to move around.
In terms of posing, I tried numerous single-leg balancing stances to project a lively cute girl vibe. For the shot kicking up splashes, we repeated the action multiple times to maintain balance while making the water spray look just right. For the shots with the swim ring, because of its large size, finding the right angle without blocking my silhouette required constant communication with the photographer. This interactive process was a lot of fun, and the candid captures turned out the most natural.
For the outfit, to match the character design, I chose a semi-sheer white top paired with orange shorts, white slippers, an orange bow accessory, and a yellow-and-white striped swim ring, creating a vibrant and cheerful color palette. The top fluttering in the ocean breeze against the waves created a fantastic dynamic effect on camera.
Throughout the shoot, I worked on channeling Belle's persona—balancing high energy and sweetness with a playful edge. The photographer advised keeping body movements open and expansive while focusing my gaze firmly into the lens, leading to the confident, eye-catching expressions in the final shots. The best part of outdoor photography is genuinely immersing in the elements: the sea breeze brushing my cheeks and sand sticking to my feet made the entire shoot feel spontaneous and relaxed.
For the shots against the wooden boardwalk, we shifted our compositional approach. The strong linear depth of the boardwalk, combined with the softly blurred green foliage and pink flowers in the background, added an airy, breathing feel to the frame. Balancing on one foot on the boardwalk with the swim ring over my head was tricky for balance, but the final shot turned out surprisingly well.
This photo set documents an authentic, joyful summer day playing by the sea. Compared to studio shoots, the outdoors holds an uncontrollable yet captivating charm, and I'm thrilled to share this vibrant seaside memory with you all.