The theme of this shoot centers on Mudrock from Arknights, fondly known to everyone as the Sarkaz Big Girl. In contrast to her usual look in heavy armor, choosing this black dress styling felt like a great way to showcase a completely different facet of her temperament. The outfit was prepared with great care: the main black gown was paired with semi-sheer tulle sleeves and a vibrant red lining, creating rich visual texture under cool-toned lighting. The black pointed horns and elf ears on my head were essential for shaping the character; the wig was also carefully groomed to ensure a natural drape, which—combined with the black choker and thigh ring—created a crisp, striking silhouette. Lacing up the Strappy high heels took some time, but their sleek line work worked wonderfully to visually elongate leg proportions in frame.
The location chosen was an indoor studio with a classical and subtly Dark style ambiance. The floor featured high-gloss black-and-white checkerboard tiles, while the background included oversized windows, a white stone elephant sculpture, and red-glazed porcelain jars, infusing the scene with antique elegance. To complement this setting, photographer Lan Jingtian arranged cool-toned directional side lighting, delineating facial contours and silhouettes with sharp clarity while using floor reflections to enhance depth.
Throughout the shoot, we experimented with diverse seated poses: gesturing gently outward with one hand, resting both hands across the chest, or—as in photo two—lightly propping both hands under the chin with crossed legs while gazing directly into the lens. The composition of photo two felt the fullest and most balanced, gracefully accentuating body curves while clearly revealing facial expressions, making it the natural choice for the cover. Although sustaining crossed legs for an extended period was tiring, we adjusted repeatedly to achieve the best visual outcome. The core focus of this session was utilizing silhouettes and lines to convey the character's cool elegance and languid charm, achieving a seamless fusion between the black gown, Strappy high heels, and cool-toned backdrop. It was a thoroughly enjoyable shoot, and I love the mood captured in the final set.