[Iochi Mari cosplay] Blue Archive: Prayer Time at Trinity Church

During this overseas trip, I specifically set aside two days for this Gothic cathedral. Ever since stepping off the plane, I was eagerly looking forward to shooting an Iochi Mari cosplay set here. Since the character carries the dual setting of both an idol and a clergy member, standing beneath the towering arches and stained glass windows in this grey-blue-and-white dress felt wonderfully fitting.

However, what gave me the biggest headache was prop transit—the custom transparent bracket with a halo effect made before departing was unfortunately crushed during international shipping, leaving us to rely on angles and natural lighting on set to compensate. Although missing that finishing touch, the ruffles and sleeve details on the dress were rich enough. The yellow bow tie at the collar paired with animal ear headwear, set inside this centuries-old stone building, added a warm touch of authentic life to this Casual cosplay look.

The shoot itself was a bit hectic because the church's interior lighting was quite complex; the contrast between light filtering through side windows and shadows under the central dome was immense. To capture facial details and the texture of fabric folds, we had to move between different areas, constantly adjusting aperture and shutter speeds. The outdoor lawn was much easier: the soft, diffused overcast light complemented the clean grey-blue skirt hem. Walking in the Black tights outfit and high heels across the grass and stone pavers was fairly steady, though the bench shots required repeated posture adjustments—balancing a relaxed, leaning state while spreading the skirt to showcase leg lines. I ultimately chose that shot for the cover because the composition captures both the grand Gothic architecture and full-body details of the outfit and stockings in our Church photography.

The street view shots turned out to be a pleasant surprise. We originally only wanted the architectural facade as a backdrop, but a car parked nearby with its trunk open and pedestrians walking past unexpectedly infused the scene with everyday vitality. Placing an anime character into an authentic historical neighborhood feels far more lively than studio work. Though exhausting—leaving my knees and ankles aching after standing for hours—reviewing the raw previews proved all the preparation was worthwhile.

I have plans for subsequent shoots at Japanese-style street corners and gardens once we touch up a few shots blurred from shooting wide open and add more dynamic candid captures. As for the damaged halo prop, I'm already contacting local hobby shops to see if a temporary repair is possible, hoping to deliver finished shots with effects soon. This nine-photo grid is just the first part; if time permits, I'll compile the full behind-the-scenes and reflections next week. After all, location shoots like this are truly precious.