[Xiangling Cosplay] Genshin Impact Liyue Master Chef Candid Convention Photos at Anime Expo

The Anime Expo 2023 convention photos are fresh out of the oven today, kicking off this Genshin Impact Xiangling cosplay sharing session directly. Actually, my goal for AX this time, aside from hanging out and browsing, was to shoot a set of Xiangling photos that I'm satisfied with. After deciding on the character, I put a lot of effort into the costume details, and the final effect turned out exactly as I wrote in my social media post: doing a Xiangling cosplay requires barely any heavy post-processing. Just wearing this outfit and standing in the light allows the character's inherent vitality and nimbleness to flow out naturally.

Let's first talk about the composition and atmosphere of this set of photos. A big thanks to Teacher Heiye for the precise captures in these convention shots. The shooting location happened to be in a hallway on one side of the convention center, backed by full floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The weather was beautiful, making the lighting exceptionally translucent. The first photo interacting with the friend in the animal suit was a little skit I suggested, imagining a joke scenario of "Liyue Master Chef setting up a food stall at AX." However, that shot might be a bit too scene-stealing, so when selecting the cover, I still chose the second photo as the main image. The second photo is actually a very classic standing pose designed to show off all the small accessories on this outfit, such as the plush animal head pendant at the waist and the hanging red-to-green gradient tassels. The overall tailoring of the outfit is crisp; the dark background paired with golden subtle patterns, along with red bows and trimming, inherently carries strong traditional Chinese style visual tension. In the photo, I specifically rested my hands on my hips to showcase the asymmetrical off-the-shoulder design on the upper body while also letting everyone clearly see the red ties on the legs and the small golden bells hanging from the boots.

As for the third photo, it's actually one I'm personally very fond of. With one leg lifted and holding a small red horn prop in my mouth, compared to a rigid standing pose, this posture vividly displays Xiangling's playful, energetic girlish charm as someone constantly handling spatulas and pots. Moreover, my center of gravity was very stable when taking this shot; the leg lines, including the exposed part of the thigh, looked very even in the light, and the layered design of the boots was clearly visible.

Back to the costume itself. What satisfies me most about this cosplay outfit is its accessory details. The short blue hair with two round hair buns is adorned with small golden hair accessories. Actually, tying the original hairstyle requires some technique; to keep the buns on both sides round and fluffy during photos, I used quite a bit of hair support material inside the wig. The cloud motifs on the sleeve covers and the collar design each required corresponding tailoring skills. I particularly love that red strap on the outer thigh; it's not just decorative but also serves a visual cinching purpose, creating a perfect transition between the hem of the clothes and the skin. I walked around the convention for hours in those black-and-gold high-heeled boots. Though high heels are definitely tiring, for the sake of character accuracy, the extra fatigue was worth it.

During those days at Anime Expo, the Los Angeles sun was incredibly bright. While shooting outdoors, other convention attendees frequently passed by in the hallway, often stopping to compliment the outfit or asking if it was a Genshin Impact character. In that atmosphere, it was easy to get infected by everyone's enthusiasm. Although I really thought about wearing this outfit to set up a snack stall at the convention entrance next year (after all, I am the Liyue Master Chef), this time I was purely here to enjoy the convention itself and the joy of shooting. Unlike many cosplayers, I relatively prefer these kinds of convention photos taken under indoor natural light. It lacks the harsh contrast brought by external flashes, and when the light spills over the golden patterns on the clothes, they even reflect slightly—the texture was absolutely nailed.

Lastly, let me praise Teacher Heiye's candid photography skills again. He didn't make us force difficult, unnatural poses but allowed the movements and expressions to maintain a natural, flowing state. In the Genshin Impact character roster, Xiangling's affability and passion for food are actually hard to describe directly with words. But wearing this outfit, raising a polearm, or simply standing there quietly, I felt myself become one with this character. As a cosplay sharing session, I feel this set of photos perfectly expresses my understanding of Xiangling, and I am very satisfied. This is not just a series of photos; it's more like a brief slice of memory at Anime Expo about Liyue cuisine and a cooking girl.