The shooting efficiency at the Mianyang anime convention genuinely amazed me. Working alongside the photographer Shou Kuoyu was seamless; we merely spun around a few times, and in just a few minutes, incredible shots were already pouring out. This time, I cosplayed Seven Blossoms from JX3. I originally thought about picking the signature pink uniform, but after much contemplation, I felt the classic red-and-white gradient tulle skirt remained the most iconic, best capturing that electrifying and agile spirit.
When I first unboxed the outfit, it felt very intricate. The hollowed-out gold patterns around the waist and the inlaid pearls and gems really demanded top-tier craftsmanship. To ensure the skirt fluttered properly, it featured numerous layers of tulle. Although heavy to wear, the texture and presence were undeniable. Moving around the convention hall was rather cumbersome, especially with two large fans trailing extra-long sheer veils—I had to tread carefully to avoid tripping over myself. Yet once shooting began, those long veils became the crowning highlight, sweeping along with each movement and drifting naturally with the airflow, instantly maxing out the visual impact.
The choreography for the fan dance drew inspiration from the kinetic energy of the Seven Blossoms' sword dance, engaging core strength to drive the arms and cast graceful arcs across the air with the sheer fabric. To introduce more visual tension into the photos, I attempted several one-legged spins and balance poses. The veils drew striking red-and-white motion trails mid-air, which, paired with the photographer's slow-shutter techniques and dynamic capture, brought out a sense of momentum and blur perfectly suited for this garment.
Reviewing the photos afterward, the lighting was by far the most delightful surprise. The ambient lighting within the venue was chaotic, but the photographer mastered the lighting direction using off-camera flash, making the golden chest adornments gleam, the red tulle appear translucent, and the white fabric edges shimmer with a soft luster. The low-angle upward perspective elongated my proportions beautifully while granting the voluminous skirt an even floatier feel.
Being able to fully display a floor-sweeping gown at a bustling convention owes a great deal to the photographer's patience and sharp eye. Rather than holding stiff, static poses, we leaned into capturing active motion, creating a far more natural outcome. Though the costume was complex, seeing the fluttering veils and glistening crystals through the lens made the entire hustle worthwhile. The red-and-white color palette brightened my complexion, and the gold hair bells paired with side buns brought a youthful charm. This lightning-fast turnaround was genuinely exhilarating. Thank you to Shou Kuoyu for every shutter press that preserved these gorgeous moments, and I look forward to creating more satisfying work just as smoothly at future conventions.