[Moriya Suwako cosplay] Suwako in the Rain, a Natural Tale of Touhou Project

To recreate Moriya Suwako's deep connection with water and nature, this outdoor shoot was specially set by a pond on a rainy day. The mossy stone in the water caught my eye immediately; its natural texture and the ripples created by raindrops on the water's surface beautifully complemented the purple-and-white outfit. Rather than emphasizing dynamic poses, this Photoshoot in the rain focused on depicting the character resting quietly in the water, with the overall composition and technique revolving around this tranquility.

In terms of outfit and makeup choices, I tried to stay as faithful as possible to the original iconic elements. Managing long golden hair in rainy weather was certainly no easy task; to keep a natural hair texture without having it clump into strings from the rain, I applied plenty of setting and moisture-proofing products beforehand. The wide woven hat featured purple tassels hanging from its brim, which swayed naturally whenever the wind blew or water flowed, adding a touch of dynamism to static shots. The outfit featured a bold purple bow at the waist paired with ruffles on the skirt hem and cuffs. Although fantasy-styled overall, the dampness from the rain gave it a gentle, moist sheen.

Cleverly utilizing that massive lotus leaf was another challenge during this shoot. The prop's stem was relatively long and thin. Holding it overhead to achieve a perfect umbrella-like effect required not only finding the right angle but also maintaining a graceful posture without looking stiff. Photographer @夜空📷 repeatedly helped me fine-tune my position in the rain. Considering that rainwater could hit the lens, we wiped down reflector boards and equipment during every break. The biggest concerns during a Photoshoot in the rain are facial glare and ambient lighting, but fortunately, the photographer excelled at handling this soft natural light, keeping the colors looking natural.

Truthfully, I rarely try a style where I sit directly in natural water bodies—after all, while ensuring the environment remains undamaged, I had to make sure I didn't slip off the mossy stone. At the same time, going barefoot in the water meant adapting to the wet sensation while overcoming psychological anxiety about unknown things under the water. But seeing the final results made all these overcome obstacles worthwhile. In the photos, raindrops bloomed into round ripples across the water surface, and the character's hair strands, hat, and lotus leaf appeared remarkably clean amidst the curtain of rain. That cool yet natural atmosphere perfectly matched the impression of this Touhou Project character in a Nature-style cosplay work.

After the shoot ended, drying and cleaning the costume and my wig took a considerable amount of time. Water stains on the purple fabric had to be gently wiped away with a slightly damp towel to avoid leaving marks. The lotus leaf prop was also partially softened by rain, but it fulfilled its vital mission. Though the entire process consumed much physical energy and effort, it allowed me to accumulate plenty of experience in On-location shooting during rain. I really enjoy the rustic and genuine sense of realism in these photos—no artificial posing, just a harmonious connection with nature on a rainy day.