Today's photoshoot featuring Nilou in a Sailor suit, set against the giant Ferris wheel under blue skies and white clouds, truly captured that crisp summer seaside feeling. It all began with the arrival of summer; eating an ice pop, inspiration struck out of nowhere: what would Nilou from Genshin Impact look like in a Sailor suit? So I immediately prepared this shoot.
Let's talk about the overall styling first. Crimson twintails paired with the intricate headdress featuring horn and fin motifs required quite a few bobby pins to fasten securely. The red wig had a wonderful sheen under the sunlight, though it needed regular brushing to avoid tangles. For the outfit, I chose a light-blue Sailor suit top paired with a navy pleated miniskirt; the metallic badge accents along the side of the skirt were finely crafted. Over-the-knee White stockings were paired with thigh garters, where adjustments had to be made meticulously so they wouldn't pinch into the skin—natural elegance was paramount. Aiming for that lighthearted, carefree vibe, I simply kicked off my shoes during the shoot and stepped barefoot onto the stone wall.
The location was right next to an amusement ride, with the white Ferris wheel and pink-and-blue metal framework serving as our backdrop. To capture an airy, buoyant feel, I tested several poses along the wall. Spreading both arms with my back to the camera required engaging my core to keep the posture steady, creating that feeling of embracing the sky. Sitting on the stone wall with legs dangling and looking back at the lens, I was actually a little afraid of heights; but for lighting composition and clean leg lines, I had to master my expression and avoid showing hesitation. Facing such a massive background as a Ferris wheel, composition must prevent character proportions from feeling unbalanced; opting for a mid-to-long telephoto focal length was a great choice to compress perspective and add rich spatial layers.
A Summer location shoot in the heat is truly a test of endurance—the scorching sun warmed my skin, demanding constant touch-ups for makeup and sunscreen. During a break, I actually ate an ice pop; as it melted slightly onto my hand, I worried about dripping onto the White stockings, though luckily nothing was stained. The fish mural on the neighboring wall and the gentle breeze fluttering my hair also added vibrant authenticity to the scene.
Although this Sailor suit isn't Nilou's canonical dancer costume, the casual everyday aesthetic combined with her signature horns and hairstyle made for an intriguing experiment. During shooting, to preserve highlight details in the cloud-streaked sky, exposure compensation was dialed down slightly while using a reflector to bounce fill light onto the face, making the subject pop. The blue-and-white color scheme felt exceptionally soothing in the summer heat; while White stockings look stunning, caring for them outdoors demands extra caution to keep dust away. The stone wall was quite warm, requiring a bit of fortitude to sit on, but seeing the final cuts made everything worthwhile.
Nilou's headdress combined metal and resin elements, carrying noticeable weight that left my neck slightly sore after wearing it for a while, so I leaned back whenever possible between takes. I had also pre-steamed the necktie and skirt pleats so they fell impeccably flat, elevating overall texture on camera. Because Nilou in Genshin Impact is a dancer, even while wearing a Sailor suit, I wove fluid, dance-like postures into my movements. For instance, when spreading my arms, my fingertips extended gracefully rather than sticking out stiffly. Though the seated pose looked relaxed, my back muscles were quietly engaged to keep my posture upright and flatter the leg lines.
I hope everyone looking through these photos can feel that refreshing breeze of coolness.