I arranged a Sui siblings group photoshoot with Ling and Dusk, taking advantage of the pleasant weather to shoot this series in an outdoor Chinese classical garden. Today's makeup, styling, and props were thoroughly prepped—everything from fabric print details to weapon weights strictly referenced the original designs, with many accessories adjusted by hand. I initially thought shooting with three people outdoors would be hectic, but our teamwork turned out remarkably tacit and smooth.
Let's talk about the outfits. My red-and-white design is very striking; to support the silhouette of the jacket, stiff tulle mesh was used inside for lining. The cutout waist design paired with white shorts, along with the red-and-black dragon-head ornaments, creates a sharp and energetic look. The textured orange-red gloves are actually quite troublesome to put on and take off, but I wore them for fidelity's sake. Ling's attire is mainly cyan-toned; the dragon-patterned glove weaving cyan-green and crimson on her arm is exceptionally eye-catching, which, paired with her signature dragon horns and long blade, gives her an imposing aura simply standing there. Dusk's robe features a blue, purple, and white gradient that drapes flowingly, with breathable fabric that's ideal for outdoor shoots like this Chinese-style fantasy cosplay.
The photoshoot process was full of fun, and the photographer captured many candid interactions. For instance, the shot where Nian unilaterally declares Dusk is super fun was actually captured during a break when we were joking around. Ling was facepalming to the side—probably because I was being too rowdy as a sister—while Dusk held a cup smilingly watching the spectacle. These slices of life felt far more vibrant than rigid posing. The circular moon gate and bamboo grove backdrop in the traditional Chinese garden paired seamlessly with these Chinese-style fantasy cosplay characters. Sunlight filtering through leaves cast natural dappled light across our garments, creating great ambient mood without heavy post-processing in this Cosplay photography session.
Cosplaying with sisters brings joy not just from presenting the 2D imagery of beloved characters, but from the genuine relaxation of being together. Ling helped me fix my hair, Dusk helped check for lens glare, and while the props were heavy, sharing the load among three made everything much easier. I feel the ambiance of a Sui siblings group photoshoot truly relies on authentic interactions like these rather than stiffly standing around waiting for the shutter. The prep work took considerable effort, including wig styling: my high ponytail and red-black horns required repeated fixing with hairspray to stay erect. Small details like nail art and waist pouches were faithfully recreated according to character sheets to eliminate any visual discord in this Nian, Ling, and Dusk cosplay.
For location selection, we deliberately avoided peak foot traffic, allowing free framing and clean backdrops. The circular window spot offered great spatial depth, yielding rich layering in the frame. Choosing this season to shoot in lush greenery provided a refreshing visual contrast against our white and cyan garments. Although it was quite warm and wearing wig caps and wigs made us sweat quite a bit, seeing the final photos made it completely worthwhile.
Doing a group photoshoot truly means sharing both the joys and the sweat. Having wigs stuffed in hairnets can itch, but seeing the wind billow through our wigs and hems in dynamic motion made us forget any momentary discomfort. Because the three of us occupied staggered positions and varying heights, controlling body posture and compositional balance tested our leg and core strength, but we persevered together with great tacit understanding.
During shooting, the two were often amused by me—Ling would try to hold back laughter only to get caught facepalming on camera, while Dusk, being gently reserved, would thoughtfully remind us if our hems had creases. This gathering atmosphere felt genuinely real, something I cherish even more than the final photos. I feel a wonderful charm of Cosplay photography is that it allows characters to step out of the 2D realm, endowed with authentic warmth and vitality.
I will continue collaborating with them moving forward, and perhaps share more photos or behind-the-scenes moments from this series. Today's post is mainly to record the shooting process and impressions, leaving more action and combat poses for next time. As an active cosplayer, I pay keen attention to prop textures and garment tailoring, and seeing these beloved Arknights characters faithfully recreated brings a profound sense of accomplishment in this Nian, Ling, and Dusk cosplay.