For this 14th anniversary Luo Tianyi shoot, we chose Universal Studios as our location, tying into a themed project documenting a renowned singer's performance behind-the-scenes. Slipping into this blue-and-white idol stage costume, my mind was entirely filled with the sensation of stage spotlights shining down. The costume design is exceptionally thoughtful: splicing aqua blue with pure white, accented with a bright yellow necktie and a green gemstone choker, making it visually crisp and refreshing. To align with the stage performance theme, it was paired with black over-the-knee Stockings and blue-and-white chunky platform boots; though the boots were slightly heavy while dancing, they solidly anchored the overall silhouette. The sleek texture of the black tall Stockings looked wonderfully slimming under outdoor daylight, lending a continuous, flattering contour to my leg lines on camera. The blue detached sleeve cuffs paired over a black inner layer added striking dimensional depth to every movement.
The daylight on the shoot day was fantastic, and the sprawling graffiti wall behind us was bursting with rich colors, its blue and pink palette echoing the tones of my costume. The graffiti wall provided intense visual punch, so in terms of composition, our goal was to make the subject pop from the backdrop, leading us to experiment with dynamic poses—single-leg hops, cross-steps, raising a white plushie doll one-handed, and runway-strutting with a microphone. Jumping poses tested core stability and facial expression management the most; because we were capturing motion in split seconds, I had to jump repeatedly, leaving me out of breath afterward, yet seeing the hair and skirt fluttering in mid-air made it feel completely worth it. The white plush doll added an adorable presence to the styling; its big eyes and playful interaction helped soften distance and add whimsy. The black cable prop connected to a small round sphere was also fascinating—lifting it high created a sense of spatial extension in the frame.
As a Vsinger, singing and dancing form Luo Tianyi's foundation, so in front of the camera, I strove to project a live performance state. The extension of hand gestures, focused eye contact, and fine motor control of my extremities all worked toward capturing that authentic stage presence. The sleeves and tie fluttered naturally in motion, breathing dynamic beauty into the stills. Funny moments happened during the shoot, too—when striking sweeping, expressive poses, curious passersby would watch, and some even whispered wondering if an anime convention was taking place. That collision of bringing 2D ACG elements into real-world everyday settings was genuinely fun.
Throughout the session, I had Luo Tianyi's songs on repeat to channel the right emotional state. How to convey musical rhythm within a static photograph is a challenge that demands constant contemplation. The gaze cannot be vacant; it has to feel as if you are genuinely looking into the eyes of the audience below the stage. Being an outdoor shoot, lighting shifted rapidly; the photographer continuously adjusted angles while I maintained frozen poses. The 14th anniversary marks a truly special milestone. From simple early designs to rich, multifaceted stage performances today, this persona carries the memories of so many fans. Creating this photo set wasn't just about showing off a gorgeous costume, but about recreating that feeling of pouring sweat and passion onto the stage through specific settings and props. By the time we wrapped, dusk had settled, and my legs were aching from wearing over-the-knee Stockings and boots all day, yet scrolling through the captured moments—both the lighting and the vibe—brought immense satisfaction. This series documents the creative journey at Universal Studios, serving as a heartfelt little memento for the 14th anniversary (Luo Tianyi cosplay).