[Belle cosplay] Zenless Zone Zero summer swimwear water play special

This time, bringing Zenless Zone Zero's Belle summer swimwear look into a real outdoor swimming pool was a very relaxing and fun experience. Although this look is themed around Summer water play, the actual details of the Cosplay outfit are very rich. The black-and-orange bucket hat provides great shade from the sun while visually echoing the orange shorts. The small orange floral decoration accenting the hat adds a touch of cute, childlike fun to the overall styling, looking particularly energetic when paired with the yellow-and-white cartoon swim ring.

For the top, I chose a white cropped T-shirt with a semi-sheer effect; both the neckline and hem have unique designs, and the chest is printed with colorful graphics. Compared to completely tight Cool swimwear, this tied T-shirt with a certain loose and sheer feel better restores the character's casual yet vibrant vibe. When water droplets fall on the shirt, it presents a translucent texture; although it slightly adds weight, it photographs with high fidelity in a water environment. The bright orange shorts paired on the bottom are a piece I really love, featuring black lace-up details on the sides that not only serve as decoration but also keep the overall color palette from being too plain. The overall combination of black, white, and orange aligns closely with Zenless Zone Zero's signature high-saturation, vivid, and street-style aesthetic.

The location chosen for this shoot was a sun-drenched outdoor pool, where natural light refracted through the azure water surface into sparkling ripples, with the large expanse of blue backdrop perfectly accentuating the bright tones on the subject. When choosing props, I deliberately used a light yellow cartoon swim ring; the cute graphics on it enhanced the richness of the frame so the photos wouldn't look monotonous. During shooting, I experimented with different poses. For instance, when sitting in the swim ring for close-ups, using the swim ring as a visual foreground framed the subject nicely, while standing and semi-prone postures fully showcased the cut and lines of the costume. Because the shirt is white and made of thin, sheer fabric, it adheres somewhat to the skin after getting wet, which provides very realistic visual feedback for a summer water theme.

When portraying Belle, I captured her lively and relatively relaxed state. Characters in Zenless Zone Zero usually have strong personal styles, whereas the summer swimwear look tones down the tension of combat and magnifies a refreshing aura akin to a summer outing. To keep movements natural and fluid, I casually rested my hands on the rim of the swim ring or gently pressed the brim of my hat with my fingertips, trying to simulate that relaxed sensation of playing poolside. As a cosplay creator, mastering the character's demeanor and overall atmosphere is also a vital part of shooting. When lighting, props, costume, and movements all align across four dimensions, the presented image carries great visual tension.

This style of underwater or poolside photography has high requirements for water resistance and safety. Because of frequent repositioning in the water, both the bucket hat and shorts of this Cosplay outfit were made of quick-drying fabrics. The white sheer T-shirt becomes heavier when soaked, so special attention was needed for balance when adjusting poses to prevent slipping or flipping the swim ring. Fortunately, the yellow swim ring had sufficient buoyancy, providing great physical support for the shoot. Although the summer sun was blazing, soaking in the pool was actually a refreshing way to beat the heat and relieve stress, helping me stay in top shooting form.

After a full day of adjustments and framing, the final set of photos, in my opinion, nicely conveys Belle's summer-infused vitality in Zenless Zone Zero, while the translucent, water-drenched texture of the shirt adds a touch of refreshing allure to the photos. Bringing a virtual character's summer look into a real-world setting requires balancing character recognizability with practical real-world wear. For me, capturing these highly accurate moments with a camera amidst sunshine, pool water, and splashes is deeply fulfilling in itself. Enjoying this summer coolness of the moment, while savoring the creative joy brought by character recreation.