Nahida from Genshin Impact is a character I deeply adore, and I finally had the opportunity to complete this photo set in an environment I love. Commonly known as Lesser Lord Kusanali, everything from her design to her skill mechanics exudes a sense of pure, gentle grace; thus, for this shoot, I aimed to maximize that quiet, nimble charm. While still waiting for the photographer's retouched images, I couldn't resist sharing a preview during this waiting period.
To capture the most natural atmosphere outdoors, we specifically selected a lush, plant-rich venue with excellent natural lighting. Featuring dense foliage and dappled sunlight filtering through leaves, the location matched a Dendro character almost seamlessly. Although shooting outdoors in summer tests physical endurance, the breeze that afternoon was just right; as it gently rustled the wig strands, it instantly evoked that feeling of the character whispering in the wind.
The Cosplay makeup was handled entirely by the talented makeup artist Jiu Wu. Truly, seeing the finished base and eye makeup was a wonderful surprise. To fit Nahida's Dendro nature, the makeup avoided heavy layering, emphasizing translucency and moisture instead. The foundation adhered smoothly with a soft matte finish, while the eye makeup utilized a precise wet-painting technique. Paired with green contact lenses, it caught both childish innocence and divine depth effortlessly. The white highlights in the eye makeup served as the finishing touch, giving her eyes an animated spark.
The wig featured a gradient from silver-white to tender green, which took considerable effort to style—especially the cowlick at the crown and the side styling, which needed to remain soft and airy. I particularly love the low side pigtail design, which carries a touch of innocent sweetness. For headwear, we paired green-and-gold accessories with white petal-like ornaments and iconic pointed elf ears; once fully suited up, the character's disposition emerged instantly. Refining details was crucial: the gold trim on the headpieces needed a metallic sheen, and placement required careful tweaking to align naturally with the ear contours.
We also strictly recreated the metallic neck ornament according to official art. Gold trimming against dark collar fabric added a touch of regal elegance to her solemn aura. Outfit material selection was quite meticulous, as collar embroidery and fabric textures radiated a beautiful luster under sunlight. The character design is filled with rich geometric motifs and natural imagery, and I look forward to seeing this design beauty highlighted through the photographer's storyboard composition.
The hand-held Dendro Slime plushie was a must-have prop that instantly brought out Nahida's playful side. Hugging it while smiling at the camera made me feel as if I had truly stepped into the Sumeru rainforest of Teyvat. Throughout the shoot, coordinating props with the wig was essential, as minor posture adjustments helped present a livelier character experience on camera.
The entire shooting process was delightful, and the photographer was extremely patient, constantly adjusting camera angles to find the perfect perspective. Despite the heat, I am profoundly grateful to my photographer and logistics crew, who moved across locations outdoors to capture optimal lighting while touching up hair and makeup. While waiting for retouched photos can test one's patience, seeing raw shots from our hard work in prep, styling, and shooting makes me deeply satisfied and even more excited for the final edits. I hope the completed set delivers an authentic, nature-infused portrayal of Lesser Lord Kusanali.