Today, I completed this deep-blue-toned ancient style photography set in a studio in Xi'an. Looking at the overall styling, I went with a straight black wig featuring neat blunt bangs, cut cleanly at the ends and accented with blue floral headpieces trailing silver tassels. The makeup focused on enlarging the eyes using light-colored contacts and voluminous lashes, blended with a hint of warm, hazy orange shading along the outer corners. An orange-red lip color brightened my complexion, while highlighters along the nose bridge and cheekbones added three-dimensional depth under the strobes; the delicate beauty mark on my cheek was deliberately retained as a personal touch.
The wardrobe served as the absolute centerpiece of the shoot. The core piece was a dark blue traditional-inspired gown with an off-the-shoulder cut, draped in a sheer layer of lustrous chiffon. The neckline, shoulder straps, and sleeve cuffs were adorned with exquisite platinum-and-gold heavy embroidery depicting floral motifs and soaring birds. Because the skirt features a dramatic high slit, it allowed me to showcase elongated leg lines during poses, amplifying dynamic visual tension. The garment comprises numerous layers, meaning the wide flowing sleeves and trailing train easily tangled while walking; an assistant had to help smooth the hemline with every position change to ensure pristine drape on camera.
The set dressing inside the studio was equally deliberate. The floor was laid with tatami mats, set against deep blue drapery and wooden latticed doors. To echo the garments, the space was decorated with copious amounts of blue artificial blossoms—some arranged in patterned porcelain vases, others scattered artfully across the mats and cabinets. In hand, my primary props were a branch bearing blue blooms and beaded tassels, along with a black folding fan. When holding the floral branch, fingers had to stay supple and relaxed rather than clenched tight, allowing blossoms to drape naturally across the chest or shoulders.
Technically, this series utilized direct, punchy on-axis flash. This hard lighting crisply delineated the texture of the sheer veil and the raised dimension of the embroidery. However, harsh light also casts deep shadows across facial features and fabric creases, demanding constant angle micro-adjustments to catch the most flattering key light. For example, lying across the tatami required lifting the chin slightly toward the overhead source; whereas turning over the shoulder in a seated profile leveraged side rim lighting to sculpt the neck and shoulders while keeping the gaze locked onto the lens.
This Xi'an photo shoot experience was truly special. To honor this serene, ethereal mood, I kept my expressions and gestures restrained and composed. Gentle finger touches against the cheek or chin, alongside leaning lightly with the floral branch, made the character feel organic rather than stiffly posed. Every prop reposition and fabric drape had to be verified through the monitor. Sustained standing and seiza kneeling taxed core endurance, especially while keeping the spine tall and poised. While constantly monitoring hair neatness and ensuring the embroidery remained unobstructed was demanding, seeing the crisp, cool-toned richness of the finished Chinese style portrait made all the rigorous preparation worthwhile.