This outfit of Sandrone is packed with an extraordinary amount of detail. Color-blocked in deep navy, pure white, and wine red, the off-the-shoulder design paired with metallic edge piping along the neckline and ruby-red gem accents delivers immense dimensional depth. To maintain the structured silhouette of the dress, internal supports were added, meaning securing the waist and shoulders during dressing took considerable time. The wig was trimmed with blunt bangs and long face-framing tendrils on both sides, paired with vivid blue contact lenses and reddish eye makeup, striving to get as close as possible to that exquisite, temperature-less Puppet aesthetic from Genshin Impact.
The venue for this commissioned shoot in Shanghai was chosen in a vintage study. Towering wooden bookshelves, an antique pendulum clock, and a weathered wooden desk created an ambient space that harmonized flawlessly with the character. The gold-patterned teacup held in hand was a specially prepared prop; captured through the Canon camera lens under warm amber side-backlighting, it produced magnificent texture. During shooting, light placement was calibrated with precision—the side lighting caught the golden trims along the garment edges perfectly while allowing the subject to stand out crisply against the dark-toned backdrop.
Regarding pose guidance, to showcase the garment's tailoring and sleek contours, I explored numerous seated postures. Sitting on the wooden desk with one leg propped up or crossing my legs allowed the white Stockings and skirt layers to be displayed gorgeously. Sitting before the desk holding the teacup or resting on the carpet aimed to evoke a calm, tranquil ambiance. Given the Puppet persona, facial expressions could not be overly animated; the gaze needed to preserve a certain ethereal detachment. Throughout the shoot, I continuously controlled my facial muscles, relying on subtle shifts in eye direction to convey emotion.
The structural visual weight of this costume actually lies in the upper body's metal accessories and the skirt's voluminous flare. The orange streamers trailing at the back and the dark pleated ruffles of the skirt rarely stayed in ideal alignment when moving or changing stances, requiring a complete reset after every angle was shot. The smoothness of the white pantyhose also demanded constant vigilance to prevent wrinkles from marring the frame.
The weather in Shanghai that day was glorious, with sunlight filtering through the study's windows to wash the entire frame in a gentle warm tone. From early lighting discussions with the photographer to fine-tuning garment nuances on set, the entire creative process was energy-intensive, but reviewing the final cuts made every preparation feel profoundly worthwhile. I hope this photo set allows everyone to experience a distinctive facet of Sandrone.