[Nico cosplay] Gentle House's Nicole in Zenless Zone Zero: Studio Photoshoot Showcase

This photoshoot mainly focuses on recreating the languid and nonchalant charm of Nicole from the Gentle House in Zenless Zone Zero, styled in her classic pink-and-black color palette.

For the wig, I selected a vibrant tone with subtle pink hues; the small bow on top and two hair clips across the forehead faithfully recreate the character's signature features. Paired with light-colored contact lenses and delicate eye makeup accents, the overall makeup was kept clean and sharp rather than heavy. The fine glitter applied beneath the eyes was a deliberate finishing touch to make my gaze look even more radiant and spirited.

For the costume, I chose a black-and-white cropped midriff top under a black leather jacket. The jacket is crafted from glossy material, outlining crisp, sleek contours under neon illumination. The lower half features micro-shorts accented with a leather belt and metal buckles, highlighted by over-the-knee stockings with cutout straps in this Stocking outfit, paired with chunky black combat boots to showcase the character's dangerous yet playful allure. During prep, this leather jacket and the boots were quite stiff with noticeable resistance when flexing; to achieve optimal visual results, I had to hold dynamic poses steadily. The boots' brightly accented soles looked very street-smart when stepping on the grid framework.

The props were also prepared with great care, especially the green one-eared rabbit plush, whose soft texture was perfect for interactive posing on set. The venue was set in a photo studio simulating a Cyberpunk neon bar, featuring exposed red brick walls and hanging clapperboards. The vintage red rotary dial phone in the background added nostalgic flair, while wine bottles and glasses in the corner enriched the slice-of-life realism. Studio lighting was dominated by blue-purple and pink ambient tones; while such lighting tests makeup cleanliness, it surprisingly lent an exceptionally translucent texture to the skin. When scouting locations, we specifically wanted to match that gritty underground faction ambiance on the fringes of the 2D city.

Throughout the shoot, I experimented with multiple angles and postures: an elongated seated pose on a high bar stool with legs crossed, a top-down perspective kneeling near the lounge booth, and an immersive pose nestled in the sofa pretending to read. Holding the "Cat's Lost Item" artbook under directed lighting allowed me to completely immerse myself in the daily life of the Gentle House. The top-down high-angle shot in particular carries a high risk of discarded takes because if the perspective between face and body isn't dialed in or if expressions look slightly unnatural, it easily falls flat; fortunately, my gaze locked directly onto the lens, conveying that enigmatic, half-smiling aura. When holding the book in the fourth shot, I deliberately adjusted the height of my arms to prevent stiffness while ensuring balanced lighting across my face.

The shooting atmosphere was both relaxed and focused—the moment the camera pointed my way, I could snap into character immediately. However, wearing this off-the-shoulder leather jacket under studio air conditioning was genuinely cold, requiring me to wrap up in a coat between takes. Wearing the Stocking outfit with chunky platform boots for hours also strained my legs, and squatting or kneeling poses demanded substantial flexibility, but seeing the clean lines captured in each frame made all the effort feel worthwhile. Pre-shoot adjustments to hair and accessories were also meticulous: the bangs and side hair had to be thinned out to avoid making the head look bulky, and securing the headpieces took considerable work to keep them from shifting during dynamic motions.

As a cosplayer, every photoshoot is an interpretation and secondary creation of the original lore—respecting foundational character traits while infusing one's own understanding. Reviewing this complete photo set, the cool, moody tone intertwined with neon flares harmonizes beautifully with the atmosphere of this urban corner. All the recent testing and fine-tuning feel completely rewarding—a heartfelt homage to a beloved character in Zenless Zone Zero.