Preparing for this shoot in the Western Sichuan snowfield took considerable time. Located at a high altitude, the area features unpredictable weather, intense UV radiation, and fierce winds. The trickiest element was the massive black-and-white lace witch hat; with its ultra-wide brim and multiple tiers of mesh netting, gusts of wind easily threw off my balance, requiring me to constantly hold down the edge with my hand.
To capture the feeling of a traveling magician on a journey, we prepared a pumpkin lantern and a broom prop in advance. Handling the broom while walking across the frozen lake tested my bodily balance and slip prevention. The outfit centers on a classic black-and-white palette, featuring a multi-tiered cake skirt paired with White lace socks; this contrast stood out with exceptional clarity and crispness against the snow-capped mountains and dry grassy plains. Photographer Mingyan is exceptionally skilled at handling high-contrast lighting; the strong reflections off the snow required meticulous exposure adjustments. The costume's corset and hollowed-out star patterns also showed their rich tactile textures under the intense highland sun.
In addition to the snowfield, we previously shot close-ups under a colorful fabric archway, where the soft indoor lighting created a distinct contrast with the intense outdoor sunlight. Such high-intensity Outdoor cosplay shooting tested both physical stamina and energy—especially running around in dry grass wearing platform shoes and hauling the heavy skirt hem to turn around, which was genuinely exhausting. Yet the magic of on-location shooting lies in bringing out this authentic realism of being on a journey. Pairing Marisa Kirisame from Touhou Project with the raw natural landscape of Western Sichuan breaks free from conventional studio constraints, adding genuine freedom and ease to the imagery.
The entire process felt like a real adventure—chilly winds froze my hands, and I had to constantly make sure props and the skirt didn't snag on anything. Seeing the crisp light and shadow alongside the luminous background in the final finished photos made all the outdoor exertion completely worthwhile, leaving behind an unforgettable experience.