Shooting this set of Spring Banquet photos was mainly to echo the Arknights 7th Anniversary milestone. The styling of the character Shu itself has many gentle details. For this scene arrangement, we chose an interior design with Japanese elements, including tatami mats, a wooden table, a flower vase, and paper lanterns. The overall atmosphere fits well with that slow-paced spring afternoon feel.
Regarding this makeup and hair, I actually spent a lot of effort on the head. The wig used different shades of blonde hairpieces to increase layers, and the two strands of blue highlights in front of the ears echo the dark clips on the hair bun. The pair of blue-and-gold long horns on top of the head is the visual centerpiece; during early production, the curvature was adjusted several times so it could sit securely on the head while showcasing shifting light and shadow under illumination. The elf-pointed ears and the pink spherical hanging ornaments on the sides of the ears also provide a precise detail anchor for the overall character. For makeup, it was paired with light blue contact lenses without overly exaggerated eyeliner, and the base makeup focused on retaining the skin's natural glow, making it look more natural in backlit conditions.
In terms of costume production, the biggest feature of this outfit is the large amount of white fluffy plush on the outer robe combined with the ruffles on the edges of the sleeves. The inner layer is goose yellow, forming a contrast of warm and cool color blocks with the large area of taro purple on the outside. When the light source shines on the thick plush edges, it creates a very soft refraction, making the whole person look fluffy. This softens the impact of the vibrant colors, fitting perfectly into the gentle theme of "Spring."
Regarding posing guidance, when holding the folding fan, I was mostly looking for a relaxed posture, emphasizing a casual and leisurely feel. When switching to holding the teacup, to match the off-the-shoulder and open-back design, I focused more on controlling the extension of the shoulder blades and neck, aiming to look elegant without overexerting myself. The photographer @VikingSeal was very sharp with on-site snapshots, especially in the second photo, which utilized the side-backlight by the window in the afternoon to beautifully present the contours of the back and profile.
Actually, on the day of the shoot, the indoor wooden floor lamps also provided great environmental fill light. Combined with the warm light filtering through the paper doors, the face basically achieved uniform highlights without needing strong external reflectors. For this kind of project leaning toward a tearoom or home atmosphere, the texture of environmental light is indeed easier to evoke the imagery of being "drunk with flowers" than harsh artificial light sources, which is also one of the reasons I personally love this set of photos.