[Nico cosplay] Cunning Hares, Nicole's 300 Burrows — Joyful Photo Release

The character Nicole, boss of the Gentle House (Cunning Hares) in Zenless Zone Zero, has always been a subject I wanted to photograph. This time, I finally had the opportunity to collaborate with Xiaofeng to complete this long-awaited Zenless Zone Zero Nico cosplay photo set. Throughout the shoot, I gained a deeper appreciation for this money-grubbing yet sharp, dashing boss.

For this Chaozhou photography shoot, we selected an industrial-style warehouse in the Chaozhou-Shantou area. The immense ceiling height, combined with on-site lighting, naturally brought a cyberpunk wasteland vibe. We set up yellow-and-black caution tape beforehand—the "CAUTION" and "POLICE LINE" areas visible in photos 2 and 4—which, paired with overhead industrial pendant lights casting down top light, immediately amplified the character's playful composure even in hazardous zones.

In terms of costume, Xiaofeng prepared with great care. The black patent leather off-the-shoulder jacket over a blue-patterned cropped top is definitely a test of figure. The lower half features black shorts with fuzzy trim, layered black belts, and thigh straps, paired with a distressed stocking outfit of ripped black knee-highs and chunky military boots, faithfully capturing the character's capable yet alluring side from the game. The prop details were equally spot-on: the yellow-green plush doll charm hung by the hip, accompanied by a heavy-duty black briefcase—Nicole's iconic hallmarks. When shooting the pose in photo 3 where she lifts the briefcase overhead, we deliberately found a 45-degree angle from the rear side, creating a great balance between leg lines, waist silhouette, and the shape of the leather jacket. In just those few seconds, Xiaofeng nailed that tsundere "I just made a fortune!" expression flawlessly.

Shooting extensive leather and patent materials in a dark environment is quite challenging. I opted for substantial side backlighting to lift the specular highlights off these textures, creating rim lighting along the leather edges that delineated the character's silhouette while contrasting against the dark backdrop. For instance, in the close-up shot of photo 5 with the briefcase held behind the head, the red heart badge on the outfit and the fabric textures were captured with crisp clarity.

Lastly, I must mention the special effects scene in the final photo, which was composited in post-production to create a space surrounded by giant screens on all four sides. While VFX filled the shot with tech and digital energy, personally, I still prefer the practical studio shots from the earlier photos. That authentic lighting and physical interaction with the caution tape feel truer to Nicole's gritty, streetwise character.

A tremendous amount of care went into this shoot—from preparing props and finding locations to building sets with real caution lines, taking considerable time from start to finish. That's why it took a while to deliver the photos to Xiaofeng; I'm deeply grateful for her patience and wonderful synergy. Her expressions carried immense visual tension, and collaborating was effortless. Although holding that heavy briefcase while posing was physically demanding, seeing the final results made every effort worthwhile. The process of bringing beloved characters to life in reality is truly the most captivating aspect of cosplay photography.