[Sunna cosplay] Zenless Zone Zero: Refreshing Summer Poolside Photoshoot Log

Shooting this poolside scene of Sunna from Zenless Zone Zero took nearly two weeks of preparation, from initial wardrobe sourcing to the final cuts. I've always adored Sunna; her unique aura really draws me in, so bringing her into the three-dimensional realm meant doing plenty of homework on styling and fine nuances.

I spent a long time trimming and styling the wig. Blunt bangs were paired with slightly curled side locks framing the cheeks; to give the silvery-white strands a natural yet voluminous bounce, I thinned and shaped them carefully in advance. For hair accessories, I prepped a cyan geometric ribbon clip alongside a small black triangular clip, positioning them on the crown and forehead respectively to recreate her signature hallmarks. For makeup, to capture that Anime cosplay quality, I applied pink eyeshadow with enhanced definition on both upper and lower lashes. Blush and lip gloss were also kept within the pink palette, striving for a soft yet energetic aesthetic.

Wardrobe-wise, I wore a classic black one-piece swimsuit complemented by pink-and-white striped knit arm warmers. The warmers were secured at the top with black leather straps and metallic buckles, which not only honored the character's design but also introduced tactile visual layers and sharp contour lines. Because we shot right along the pool's edge, reflections off the water surface were intensely bright. The tiled deck was rather slick, so initial posing required extreme care to avoid slipping. Fortunately, the photographer was seasoned and guided me into sitting on the pool rim with legs slightly bent extending toward the water, hands resting naturally clasped across my knees. This pose displayed the swimsuit's back silhouette while using water reflections to expand the spatial depth.

To convey Sunna's breezy summer chill, I dipped my toes lightly against the water's surface, creating a candid moment of having just finished splashing around or preparing to dive in. Sunlight dancing across shimmering ripples looked gorgeous, but it posed real shooting hurdles—the glare made it tough to keep eyes wide, requiring frequent angle recalibrations and makeup touch-ups. The knit arm warmers looked fabulous, yet they were prone to soaking up water, so I guarded them meticulously during breaks to keep the fabric crisp and pristine.

Throughout the entire shoot, I maintained her gentle carriage—tilting my head slightly with an innocent gaze, harmonizing with the pool's crisp aqua tones to materialize the sentiment that 'the 2D world is magic in reality.' Real-world water and sunlight colliding with 2D character styling truly sparks a unique magic. For post-color grading, I avoided heavy manipulation, mostly preserving the authentic water reflections and the outfit's vivid color contrast to showcase a fresh, natural vitality. Every cosplay journey is a brand new adventure; bringing a beloved character to life in a real-scene photoshoot makes every ounce of effort entirely worth it the moment the final photos emerge.