This time, I decided to shoot Nahida in a real forest rather than a studio set. The essence of the Dendro element belongs alongside soil, fallen leaves, and tree trunks—that kind of vitality cannot be simulated by artificial backdrops. After scouting several locations in advance, I finally chose a spot featuring thick old trees and natural rocks, specially adding a swing and a few clusters of wildflowers for decoration.
The costume and wig were the highlights of this preparation. The skirt featuring a white and grass-green color block used fabric with a subtle pearlescent sheen, casting a soft glow under the tree shadows. The gold piping along the edges was meticulously detailed, and a soft inner lining was added to achieve a natural drape. The armbands and leaf-shaped emblem on the chest were custom-made by an artisan teacher using soft resin and metallic paint, so they wouldn't reflect overly harsh glare under the camera. The wig transitioned from silver-white to light green, with slightly curled and feathered ends; to fit the character's elf ears, the base near the ears was intentionally lowered. During the shoot, the wind blowing through brought motion to the hair tips, perfectly echoing the flowing nature of Dendro.
As for props, that round green little fruit was actually a cushion filled with cotton, very light to hold. Balancing it on my head or holding it in one palm during shooting added a lot of playful interaction. And those little guys wearing green leaf hats on the ground were official merchandise plushies bought specifically for this shoot. Scattering them around the rocks and tree roots made them look like Nahida's little guardians, instantly making the scene come alive.
Regarding pose design, I tried to add a touch of playful charm while maintaining the character's elegance. For instance, in the shot where I sit on a tree branch resting with my eyes closed—the branch was thick, but quite high off the ground, taking some effort to climb up and down while the photographer kept reminding me to stay safe below. The gesture of rubbing my eyes was intended to show lazy sleepiness, but the light on my hand turned out a bit harsh, so I softened it slightly in post-processing. My favorite moment is jumping on one leg while lifting the green sphere—shot on a patch of grass, it required good balance, taking several attempts to capture the stable moment where the extension of the skirt and ribbons created great visual tension. The swing shots added warm fill light, and tiny string lights were attached to the tangled white flower vines; as the shutter speed slowed in the evening, the bokeh spots spread out like a fairytale scene.
The entire shoot lasted about three hours, from noon to dusk. Since midday sunlight was too harsh directly overhead, most shots were taken under tree shade or using backlighting to create silhouettes. I wore light-colored contact lenses, making my eyes look clear and translucent under natural light. The makeup was kept subtle, focusing on emphasizing the delicate reddish tint at the corners of my eyes and soft lip color, with nails painted in a sheer tint. Although I got quite a few mosquito bites along the way, seeing the playback where light filtered through leaves onto the costume made it all feel completely worth it.
This series didn't try to force an imposing or aloof tone, because Nahida herself carries a gentle yet firm little girl aura. I've always felt that the best Elf cosplay isn't about replicating a poster, but letting the character step into real scenes and come alive. The forest in this outdoor photography shoot was filled with green, perfectly matching the character's theme. Especially in the swing shot where a gentle breeze swayed the flower garlands, I felt genuinely spellbound for a moment, as if the Dendro Archon was truly sitting there watching the world. Post-processing didn't rely on heavy filters, just slightly toning down highlights while preserving the original gray levels of leaves and fabrics, making it more timeless and pleasing to look at.
In the end, over a dozen satisfying final photos were produced, and I selected these few to share. Every single one is the culmination of the photographer and me brainstorming angles and lighting. I hope everyone can feel a real, vibrant Dendro elf through these images in this forest photoshoot.