Before the weather in Chengdu completely turned cold, I rushed to arrange this Firefly swimsuit session. We chose Mandao Camp Cafe this time; the venue is super spacious with paddleboards to enjoy on the pool, and the owner was very welcoming, making the shoot completely stress-free. Collaborating with photographer Lizi, we spent a long time brainstorming ideas beforehand, deciding to move away from Firefly's usual combat-ready or stoic image to reveal her relaxed, everyday vacation self in swimwear.
To match the summer pool photo shoot theme, the hair and makeup went for a fresh resort vibe. The blue-green gradient wig looked exceptionally translucent under the dusk lighting. Makeup emphasized a dewy, glowing glass-skin finish, paired with blue contact lenses echoing the hair color. The outfit featured a black ruffled top paired with light-blue high-waisted shorts, topped with a straw hat tied with lace ribbons—a color palette that stayed faithful to Firefly's signature elements while radiating strong summer energy. The outfit has abundant details; the layered ruffles and bows needed dynamic posing to display properly without looking bulky.
The soul of an outdoor location shoot is light and shadow. We waited until dusk when the sky turned deep indigo before rolling, using artificial lighting to underexpose the ambient background and illuminate the subject, maximizing cool-and-warm contrast. This lighting setup heavily tests the photographer's mastery of contrast ratios, but thankfully Lizi is seasoned, yielding crystalline clarity in every raw frame. We set up multiple shooting spots by the poolside, on the lawn, and beside a round table with a white lace tablecloth. The straw hat proved to be a versatile prop—holding it overhead or in hand added natural ease to my gestures. Posing felt effortless as I channeled an authentic vacation mindset, savoring the breeze and the texture of the lawn.
The loveliest surprise during the shoot was meeting a fluffy, well-behaved blue-and-white dog. Having a pet in the frame instantly brought the scene alive. Crouching down to pet it brought out pure relaxation, creating candid moments far more captivating than stiff poses. Outdoor shoots certainly test stamina—enduring mosquito bites while keeping facial expressions pristine and micro-adjusting crouching postures to flatter leg lines required constant focus.
Reflecting on this set, Firefly's vacation demeanor should naturally feel effortless and breezy. Location shoots carry many uncontrollable factors, like twilight bugs and damp grass. Fortunately, the lawn at Mandao Camp Cafe was well-maintained, comfortable to step on even barefoot, though I wore platform sandals. The color grading incorporated subtle cool tones to evoke the refreshing chill of a summer night. Every location shoot leaves minor regrets—we couldn't finish the paddleboard shots due to fading daylight, which conveniently gives me an excuse to post a second set tomorrow!
Honestly, preparing cosplay wardrobe, wig, and makeup takes immense effort—from selecting designs, buying and sculpting wigs, to test makeup and pose choreography. Yet seeing the final photos makes every bit of patience worthwhile. Although Firefly is rather composed and quiet in Honkai: Star Rail, I hope this Firefly swimsuit set reveals a livelier, more down-to-earth side. With autumn creeping in, catching the tail end of summer for a satisfying shoot checks off a major item on my Chengdu cosplay location shoot bucket list. I'll post the paddleboard photos tomorrow once sorted; for anyone scouting locations in Chengdu, this spot is truly worth recommending.