[Asuka Cosplay] EVA Swimsuit Look Recreated: That Summer of Pool photography for a Japanese anime convention Cover

As a project undertaken during my studies in Japan, shooting a promotional cover for a Japanese anime convention led me to revisit this set of Asuka Cosplay photos in a Custom-matched swimsuit. The location was a vast water park—a so-called pool-themed anime convention—filled with artificial landscapes and amusement facilities. For this outfit, I chose a red athletic jacket layered over a black lace-up one-piece swimsuit. The swimsuit's strap design required meticulous adjustment to ensure the overall look fit the character while maintaining comfort moving poolside. For hair and makeup, I wore an orange wig paired with red hair clips. During the shoot, Master Tudouni asked me to relax completely.

The first front-facing photo made use of the sky and water surface as an all-natural backdrop; holding the straw hat with both hands and looking straight into the lens, this composition highlighted the character's visual features effectively. For the second photo sitting on the edge of the pool, I adjusted my posture with both legs hanging down naturally, emphasizing the sleek, contoured lines of the swimsuit look. The light was abundant during the shoot, with sunlight reflecting off the water surface serving as an excellent fill light. The texture of the black swimsuit had moderate reflectivity under strong light, nicely defining body proportions.

For outdoor convention shoots, the greatest challenge lies in controlling instantaneous lighting. Having an international study background made on-site communication exceptionally smooth. This set served as the finale for my self-coordinated outfits and my last photoshoot project of the summer. From selecting the wardrobe to conceptualizing shooting details, I poured extensive energy into it. On the photography side, a professional photographer accurately captures the model's expressions while utilizing the blue poolside backdrop and the red jacket to create a bold warm-and-cool contrast. We shot quite a few photos in total, and these two on display are particularly representative.

Even though much time has passed since this shoot, looking back and sorting through the photos brings that vibrant photography atmosphere right back. The end of summer meant a demanding new semester of academic life was about to begin, yet I will always remember this convention-related creative journey. During shooting, I realized the straw hat was a remarkably practical prop—blocking harsh direct sunlight while adding playful visual interest to the frame. I have a few takeaways from this shoot: going early in the morning when crowds are thin makes it easy to capture empty pool backgrounds, significantly reducing post-processing burdens.

Many friends wonder what a Japanese anime convention at a pool is like: it's primarily a summer-oriented event where tall roller coaster tracks and lush greenery are visible in the background, serving as wonderful natural framing elements. Compared to studio shoots, outdoor locations greatly enhance the character's sense of realism. Even though shooting required enduring scorching sunshine, applying sunscreen beforehand kept me safe. Thanks to its unique cut-out design and excellent fabric drape, this black strappy swimsuit required minimal retouching. Through these photos, I hoped to showcase the character's bold and confident spirit.

I also learned an important lesson during the shoot: when working poolside, taking utmost care to protect equipment safety is crucial. Reorganizing these photos and seeing the shimmering ripples on the water made me fondly recall the photographer's patient guidance that day. Seeing the visual impact created by broad blocks of color, I feel these photos truly fulfilled their promotional mission. I hope that when tackling similar outdoor shoots, everyone remembers to avoid harsh midday sunlight, protect their skin, and prepare plenty of waterproof bags in advance—practical tips worth keeping in mind. For me, having the opportunity for such convention photography while living abroad was rare and precious, so I cherish it deeply. I will always remember the humidity and openness of that day, as well as everyone's delighted expressions when reviewing the camera preview together.