Putting on this blue and white sailor suit, I gathered the long black wig to one side, tied it into a low ponytail with a white ribbon, and put on the rabbit-ear headpiece with a reinforced frame. Standing on this asphalt road near the river, the sunlight hit my skin directly, clearly tracing the light blue collar and the edges of the sailor suit, instantly creating a wonderful atmosphere in the photo.
Regarding this outfit, there are actually many small details to manage. The white short-sleeved top paired with a light blue sailor collar, along with the striking yellow tie on the chest and the circular badge armband on the sleeve, recreates the fresh, breezy school style of the original design. What pleased me most was the huge, fluffy light-blue bow behind the waist and its trailing long ribbons, which had a lovely dynamic feel as they swayed in the breeze. For footwear, I chose a lighter pair of white platform loafers that walked smoothly across the white zebra crossing, perfectly complementing the crisp look of the overall style.
"Getting my name remembered by Sensei... somehow feels a bit unbelievable..." This thought actually popped into my head during a break in the shoot. Perhaps because doing cosplay in an outdoor street setting filled with everyday life led to passing vehicles and pedestrians casting curious glances now and then. Standing outdoors in such recognizable attire, that peculiar feeling belonging to the character was gently nudged by reality.
The weather on the day of the shoot was extremely clear, with a very clean light-blue sky, though the sunlight around noon was intense. To ensure my face received even lighting without looking flat, the photographer went through great lengths to find several camera spots where light filtered through and ground reflections could brighten my eyes. In particular, for the photo where I look back at the lens, the white pleated skirt and blue ruffled trim bathed in sunlight created a wonderful sense of contrast against the high-contrast asphalt road. The retro pink car occasionally appearing in the background added a perfect touch of vibrant color to the predominantly blue-and-white palette, giving it an unexpectedly charming vintage street-snap feel.
Another photo where I hold a brown cardboard box with both hands actually holds a subtle idea. This piece of cardboard served as one of the props for this outdoor shoot, specifically chosen for its color and texture; holding it against my chest allowed my arms to relax naturally without looking stiff. Since I was facing the camera head-on, focus in my eyes became especially crucial, as I tried my best to settle into a calm and gentle demeanor.
The overall approach for this shoot was to avoid making the images feel overly staged. Although wearing a costume with strong anime traits, I hoped to use real outdoor riverside scenes—such as the parasol behind me, outdoor tables and chairs, the muddy yellow river water, and the high-rises on the opposite bank—to give these cosplay photos a realistic breathability. The ring halo and water ripple effects at the top were minor touches added in post-production, creating a subtle connection between reality and fantasy that complements the character's mysterious elements, adding extra charm to the photos.
The shooting process was actually quite fast, but capturing looking-back candid shots on a busy street still required several tries to get the most natural moment when the skirt flared and the ends of my hair whipped round. Reviewing the photos, wearing this blue and white sailor suit outdoors on such a bright day felt like a wonderful experience. Without overly flashy techniques, simply standing truthfully under the sun, feeling the gentle breeze, pressing the shutter, and freezing this moment before my eyes was completely satisfying.