[Hu Tao Cosplay] NARAKA: BLADEPOINT Year of the Horse Greetings: The Blessing Messenger Arrives for New Year

Having prepared the Year of the Horse greeting photos, NARAKA: BLADEPOINT's Hu Tao changed into a fluffy New Year outfit. The inspiration for this set of photos is the collision between New Year customs and the game character. The first full-body photo holding the scroll is the highlight, instantly maximizing the atmosphere of "Bringing in Wealth and Treasure" and "Happy New Year" while making me look full of energy, so choosing it as the cover is just perfect. The main color palette of the entire look is red and white, matching the visual habits of the end of winter. The white rabbit ear accessories, white wig, red ribbons, and exquisite metal brooch blend the character's softness with the warm New Year atmosphere.

A lot of interesting things happened during the shoot. To highlight the atmosphere of good luck in the Year of the Horse, many large props were prepared on-site, such as that heavy golden sycee. At first, I was worried that holding it would look stiff, but it turned out that the glittering gold luster beautifully complemented Hu Tao's skin tone under the warm lighting, leading to a close-up shot of me cradling the sycee. Then there was that stick of candied hawthorn covered in sugar frosting; the moment I picked it up to take a bite, my expression management had to switch instantly to a lively state. The small lion ornament nearby also carries strong Chinese characteristics; using it as a visual foreground or background enhanced the spatial depth of the photos. For a cosplay photographer, capturing the emotions within these props and interactions is crucial.

In fact, doing this level of high-end studio Chinese style photography comes with many finer points. Although this red outfit features thick white plush at the collar and cuffs, the inner layer needs to be as form-fitting as possible to avoid looking bulky on camera. The white plush gloves and high-heeled snow boots are also a carefully selected combination, adding warmth to the character without ruining the calf lines. The wig and the rabbit ears on top tend to shift during movement, so I needed to maintain a sense of balance at all times, especially when shooting with the firecracker strings and sparkler tubes, ensuring my finger grip positions wouldn't reveal any flaws. The string of firecrackers was actually made of lightweight materials and felt very light in hand, but to make the scene look real, I worked hard to stiffen my wrists, giving the firecrackers a natural hanging texture.

The pace of shooting the entire set was very tight. Hu Tao's setting inherently carries cuteness and agility, while the New Year theme requires elegance and generosity, which relies on shifting expressions and body language. In every frame facing the camera, I tried my best to convey the festive joy of bringing good luck in the Year of the Horse. This set doesn't rely heavily on post-production special effects; it mainly relies on real scenes like red lanterns and window lattices to create a Chinese atmosphere. The golden tassel curtain in the background also provided great bokeh under the reflection of the flashlights, making the photos feel more textured and warm. The ritualistic sense of delivering New Year blessings was thoroughly expressed.

And during the studio shoot, I also want to share a little secret with my friends. Although the white fluffy wig looks very lightweight, it's actually quite heavy when combined with the ear accessories. To keep the angle of the headpiece consistent in every image, I often had to lower or tilt my head to cooperate with the camera, requiring my neck to engage core strength for support. The photographer suggested that I use symmetrical composition more often; for instance, when holding the "Happy New Year" and "Bringing in Wealth and Treasure" scrolls with both hands, expanding my shoulders creates a frame filled with exceptional tension, an advice that was later beautifully validated in the final photos.

As a coser who loves delving into details, every photoshoot feels like a thematic creation. Combining the character Hu Tao with traditional festival symbols was a brand-new attempt for me. Not only the outfit coordination, but also the color temperature of the flashlights and the depth of field of the background were deeply communicated with the team. The final results certainly did not disappoint all the prior preparation. I hope this greeting photoshoot, brimming with New Year flavor, can capture the New Year energy within the photos, serving as a unique memento for the Year of the Horse.