Having just returned from my independent pass trip to Chongqing Dreamland, I've finally sorted out the Convention photo recap. This time I cosplayed Cirno from Touhou Project. Taking advantage of this trip, I arranged an indoor ice-and-snow themed photoshoot with photographer @Chunqiufen, with post-processing completed jointly by myself and @WoAiChiHuoJiMian.
This Cirno outfit features an overall blue-and-white color palette. The outer layer is a bright blue sleeveless dress with a reflective pleated texture and a jagged serrated hem, layered over a multi-tiered white pleated petticoat. The inner blouse features white puff sleeves tied with a red ribbon knot at the neckline, accented with a giant blue bow at the back. To stay faithful to the character, I specially prepared elf ear props and red-framed glasses, complemented by a short pastel-blue wig. For the lower half, I chose white over-the-knee socks (Stockings) paired with black Mary Jane shoes, which visually elongated my leg lines.
The shooting location was an indoor industrial-style venue featuring exposed steel structures and skylights in the background. To craft a frosty winter atmosphere, we arranged artificial ice crystals and snow trees on set, layering extensive falling snow visual effects in post-production. To enrich the composition, I brought along three matching Cirno plush dolls—both open-eyed and sleeping variants—alongside snowman props. While interacting with the plushies, I tried poses such as balancing a doll on my head, holding one in front with one hand, and pointing toward them. My personal favorites are the over-the-shoulder glance shots: the folds of the skirt and the white Stockings look remarkably dimensional under the light, and with the drifting snowflakes, the atmosphere was maxed out.
During shooting, the photographer was exceptional at capturing dynamic candid frames, guiding me into postures that fit the character's persona, such as clenching both fists or placing a hand on my hip. Although the ensemble looks airy, the large blue bow on the back and the cascading layers of the skirt required constant adjustments to maintain their ideal silhouette. To convey the character's lively playfulness, I incorporated cheeky nuances into my body language, like tilting my head up slightly or engaging with spirited eye contact.
This Touhou Project themed photoshoot at Chongqing Dreamland was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. From wardrobe preparation and styling in pre-production, to composition guidance on set, all the way to crafting snow effects and color grading in post, everyone worked hard to bring the ice fairy in our hearts to life. While the entire process was tiring, seeing the final photos made every bit of effort feel completely worthwhile.