[Xishi cosplay] Honor of Kings Meizhou photoshoot booking: Yao x Xishi Creation Among Stream and Rocks

Doing this Honor of Kings Yao x Xishi Meizhou photoshoot booking with Siyu this time had a preparation process more tedious than imagined; from organizing costumes and props to finding a suitable outdoor stream scene, we invested a lot of thought. We scouted locations in advance and ultimately selected this wooded area with running water and massive rocks, hoping to capture a vibe combining wuxia and nature.

I portrayed Xishi; while this blue-and-white color-scheme costume looks refreshing, it actually contains numerous details when worn. The blue geometric cutouts at the waist, long white arm gloves, and lightweight gauze ribbons could easily snag on tree branches when walking outdoors, requiring extra care when adjusting them during shoot breaks. To restore the character's hairstyle, the wig was styled and set, but during outdoor shooting, we still had to guard against the wind messing it up.

Siyu portrayed Yao, whose costume features more layers, especially that oversized blue cape. When shooting by the water, we constantly had to adjust angles and positioning, utilizing the natural breeze to make the cape billow with an elegant curve in the frame. The fabric covers a large area and easily brushed against adjacent tree branches when turning, requiring teamwork for every adjustment.

To avoid crowds, we found this wild wooded area with streams and boulders around Meizhou. Sunlight filtered through the forest canopy, casting dappled light and shadows; this natural light was exceptionally suited for the atmosphere we desired, allowing us to capture great textures without much artificial fill light. However, the outdoor environment presented challenges: rocks by the stream were slippery and covered in moss, so we supported each other while moving into position, taking great care not to get mud or water on our costumes.

Duo cosplay prioritizes interaction above all. Before shooting, we ran through poses and footwork—such as holding hands by the water or sitting on the rocks resting and chatting. This naturally flowing state yields far better shots than forcing rigid poses. Water reflections and the layering of the woods added a lot to the photos, and the raw shot quality was already a pleasant surprise.

The weather on the shoot day was quite cooperative; although it was slightly humid in the woods, everyone remained in top form. A gentle breeze happened to blow by, lifting the cape and the gauze ribbons on my arms, allowing the photographer to capture a very natural candid moment. Keeping safety first, we recreated the authentic presence of the characters in a natural environment as faithfully as possible.

This shoot lasted from the afternoon until sunset, and changing lighting brought diverse feels to the frames. Post-production mainly fine-tuned the color tones, preserving the cool tones under natural light and the authentic texture of the skin. The final photos turning out so well wouldn't have been possible without Siyu's tacit cooperation and the photographer's hard work. Completing such high-quality 2D creation in Meizhou was truly fulfilling.