This series was captured on July 5, 2026, at the Miavel Anime Convention pool exhibition area. It happened to be raining that day, but we felt this damp weather could unlock a unique mood, so we completed this photoshoot directly around the railings near the venue and inside the indoor lounge.
Let's talk about the styling first. For this shoot, I chose a Sweet Lolita dress featuring a color-blocked palette of pink, white, and red. The dress is rich in intricate craftsmanship: the bodice and skirt are embroidered with three-dimensional strawberry motifs accented by sequins and beadwork, hemmed with tiered layers of white lace and ruffled borders. The sleeves feature wide bell flares accented with red-and-white polka-dot ribbon bows. On my head, I wore a wide-brimmed lace bonnet adorned with matching strawberry ornaments. To complement the outfit, I brought along a clear transparent umbrella, which kept the costume details unobstructed while blending seamlessly with the rainy environment.
Wearing such a multi-layered Lolita dress to a convention requires substantial preparation. For example, selecting the right petticoat is crucial—to hold a perfectly puffy, bell-shaped silhouette without tripping while walking or navigating stairs, the circumference and stiffness had to be fine-tuned beforehand. Moreover, because of the rain, I had to be extra cautious when walking and sitting to keep the hem, white socks, and footwear pristine. In terms of makeup, to match the sweet aesthetic of Lolita, the focus was placed on soft pink eyeshadow and rosy blush paired with a gentle lip tone, keeping the hair natural with blunt bangs and long straight black locks.
The shooting process was a delightful journey. Outdoors, we utilized the wooden railings against the backdrop of lush green trees and the pool. The rainfall softened the natural light, eliminating harsh shadows and making exposure much smoother. Standing on the steps under the umbrella or reaching out a hand to catch falling raindrops allowed the photographer to freeze countless unposed, candid moments. Later, we shifted indoors by the window, sitting on the sofa holding a white mug to capture quiet, slice-of-life frames under soft natural window light. Throughout the session, the biggest challenge lay in continuously arranging the dress's layered hem, constantly smoothing out lace and bows to guarantee optimal dimensionality before the lens.
The successful completion of these convention photos owes immense gratitude to the photographer's patient direction. In a relatively crowded convention space, finding ideal angles to bypass the bustling background while sharply catching the specular reflections of raindrops across the clear umbrella took genuine dedication. I've always believed the value of convention photography lies not merely in documenting hair, makeup, and attire, but in preserving one's genuine emotional state at that precise moment. Although navigating in a heavy Lolita gown on a rainy day was physically demanding, seeing the crisp folds of the skirt, the shimmer of strawberry embroidery, and the tactile texture of raindrops in the final selects made every bit of effort worthwhile. The styling details harmonized effortlessly with the rainy atmosphere, giving me a fresh appreciation for Sweet Lolita's expressive potential in natural outdoor settings.