Shooting Sheng Cai'er this time took place at Chenxing Photography Studio (Sheng Cai'er cosplay, Throne of Seal). To capture that quiet, moonlit forest sanctuary, immense thought went into building the set; calibrating the interaction between the giant moon backdrop and ground-level fog alone took quite a while. The makeup and styling crafted by Yuchen were extraordinarily delicate—the elf ears and pearl headpieces were packed with detail, while the deep blue tones of the wig displayed gorgeous texture under rim lighting. The Blue and white ethereal fairy style sheer fabric was delightfully light, but with the midriff-baring design, I had to keep my core engaged throughout the entire session. This was especially challenging while perching on that cluster of weathered drift logs, where I had to balance body contours with the billowing drape of the skirt while being careful not to let jagged rocks tear the fragile tulle (Eunectes Sheng Caier).
The string of pearls and glowing butterflies held in my hands served as the defining highlight. Capturing the butterflies to make them appear organically mid-flight required dozens of rapid bursts. The studio lighting was also an incredible asset—rim backlighting pierced clean through the skirt fabric, making the sparkling textile shimmer brilliantly. With minimal post-production retouching, the resulting imagery carries an authentic, organic feel. In terms of expression, maintaining a cool, aloof gaze without overly animated facial expressions was surprisingly draining. However, seeing the final cuts—from garment texture and makeup to set fidelity—was deeply rewarding, fully bringing the essence of Sheng Cai'er to life.
We spent the entire afternoon in the studio on the day of the shoot. This blue-and-white gradient sheer gown actually requires quite a bit of technique to wear properly: because the top is cropped and the maxi skirt features voluminous, cascading tiers, every single layer had to be smoothed out methodically, otherwise it would appear bulky on camera. Yuchen put immense dedication into the headpieces and necklaces; the pearl forehead accessory and entwined branch motifs resonated impeccably with the fantasy lore, and paired with the elf ears, even a slight profile tilt produced gorgeous silhouette contours.
Regarding the lighting setup, the photographer utilized intense backlighting and side-rim lights. To harmonize with the luminous butterfly props and subsequent visual effects, I had to hold my hands exceptionally steady while cradling the pearl strings and butterflies to avoid motion blur. Posing while seated on the floor or reclining against the drift logs was a true test of core and leg coordination. To showcase the sweeping spread of the train, I tested various sitting angles, tossing the sheer tulle toward the camera before crossing my legs slightly to let the silver anklet and leg contours peek out naturally.
The smoke machine and dry ice on set performed phenomenally, though overly dense fog could obscure the face, so the photographer and I constantly fine-tuned the smoke output to ensure the subject stayed crisp against an ethereal, dreamlike background. The weathered details of the oiled-paper umbrella paired with the stone props on the floor enriched the visual layers of the frame. The entire process felt like painting a canvas—from confirming costume details to engaging muscles and locking eye-lines, every single step demanded seamless teamwork.
For the makeup, the reddish-brown eyeshadow formed a striking chromatic contrast with the midnight-blue wig, while post-processing preserved skin translucency without excessive airbrushing, retaining organic skin textures for authentic realism. The prop umbrella was semi-translucent, built with traditional ribbing structures, looking effortless whether held overhead or rested nearby. Because the set had an air current, the flowing drapes and hair strands often drifted out of place, demanding sharp anticipation to capture the shutter at the peak moment. I also fell in love with the smaller details—like the jewel necklace reflecting changing hues under varying light angles, echoing the pearl headband to elevate the elegance of the entire styling.
While executing the poses, I strove to channel the character's internal emotions. Even without smiling or dramatic expressions, subtle extensions of body language—like fingertips lightly brushing a butterfly or parting the beaded curtain—conveyed a tranquil yet powerful resolve. We scattered numerous foliage props across the scene, blending white-painted props with living plants to grant the frame authentic immersion. The silver anklets were also an intentional accent; although the long skirt concealed most of my legs, during seated poses or slight leg lifts, these small ornaments injected dynamic vitality into the composition. Every shutter click was a seamless convergence of light, character, and props. The shoot flowed effortlessly, and it was a joy to bring Sheng Cai'er from Throne of Seal into reality. Deepest thanks to all the behind-the-scenes staff for their tireless dedication!