[Toy Merchant Cosplay] Identity V Retro series "Dream in the Box": A Romantic Cottagecore Escape

For this Identity V Retro series "Dream in the Box" skin photoshoot of the Toy Merchant Cosplay, early preparations focused primarily on the faithful restoration of costume details and location selection. The visual focal point of this Identity V Retro skin lies in its interwoven blue-and-white color palette and the extensive use of lace and daisy elements. Costum-wise, a light blue shirt was paired with a highly layered white lace shawl, featuring exquisite daisy embroidery on the chest and skirt hem. To recreate the vintage yet slightly dreamy feel of the original art, I put a lot of effort into props: the brown woven basket in my hand and the small crossbody bag printed with bees and daisies at my waist were all specially selected and crafted. Regarding makeup, instead of rigidly copying the in-game model, I added floral and fine shimmer elements around the eyes and cheeks, paired with golden double braided pigtails and a wide-brimmed blue hat with mesh lace, giving the overall makeup effect a more doll-like texture. Styling the wig also took quite a bit of time; the twin tails needed to maintain volume without looking frizzy, and after putting on the hat, constant adjustments were required to avoid flattening it, utilizing a generous amount of hairspray.
The weather on the shooting day was fantastic. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a natural soft-focus filter. We started shooting in a setting with red brick walls and light blue wooden doors, complemented by greenery and a wooden house number reading "at home," creating a wonderful cottagecore cosplay vintage atmosphere. Holding the basket or reaching up to adjust the brim of my hat, I tried to keep my body relaxed, showcasing the character's tranquil demeanor. The light blue Mary Jane shoes on my feet paired with lace socks looked gorgeous, but walking on outdoor brick and muddy ground required extreme caution to avoid dirtying them and ruining the frames.
Next, we transitioned to the outdoor paddy field boardwalk. The field of view was exceptionally broad, with distant mountains and high-voltage towers blending into the pink-and-blue evening glow. Sitting on the wooden boardwalk with my legs naturally crossed, the lines of my skirt and legs appeared more slender under the setting sun. The photographer utilized backlight and natural halos, even creating slight rainbow flares in front of the lens, fitting the theme that Dreamcore photography is a romantic escape. In this setting, the wind was relatively strong, frequently blowing the skirt hem and hair astray, requiring patient waiting for lulls in the wind to capture the most natural expressions.
Finally, in front of a blue glass door and window crawling with vines, I stood on the windowsill holding a transparent glass sphere. This action was designed to enhance the narrative sense of the frame, as if searching for something within a dream. Light streamed through the glass onto my face, and the contrast between cool and warm tones gave the image rich depth. During shooting, controlling the brightness and darkness through glass reflections placed high demands on metering.
The entire shooting process tested endurance, as the lace and accessories of this outfit were extremely intricate, requiring constant adjustments to maintain the best state in front of the lens. However, seeing the lighting texture and costume accuracy in the final photos made all the prior effort completely worthwhile. The biggest challenge of outdoor photography is the fleeting nature of light, especially in the evening paddy fields where there is less than half an hour of optimal lighting, requiring a rapid shift into character state upon arrival. This outdoor attempt has provided me with new experience in controlling Dreamcore photography styles, and I will continue refining the details in future shoots.