[Yao cosplay] Yao-mei from Honor of Kings is here at the convention to protect everyone!

At this convention, I finally brought Yao's classic look from Honor of Kings to life. For these pink twin braids, I crawled out of bed at 5:00 AM to start styling. The wig underwent anti-frizz prep, but with all the foot traffic moving through the hall, the ends still flew a bit. The beast ears and hair accessories at the crown were anchored with hairpins, meaning I had to tread carefully to avoid catching them on the cape while walking.

The outfit is primarily built from brown leather and white fabrics. To capture that primal yet playful essence, I kept the tailoring relatively form-fitting, highlighting the midriff. By far the heaviest piece was the staff in my hands; although crafted from a lightweight blend of PVC and wood, sculpting those cyan branch details at the top still gave the prop considerable heft. Holding it aloft with one hand for extended poses definitely left my arm aching.

This time I brought along two oversized plush leg warmers. Wearing them inside a summer convention hall was undeniably sweltering, yet the photographic payoff was unquestionable—the fluffy volume sculpted fantastic lower-body proportions. When scouting locations inside the hall, I deliberately sought out gray pillars and well-lit zones to capture dynamic action shots with the airy cape. Simply sweeping the cape and gripping the staff firmly yielded shots brimming with dramatic tension.

Arriving on the convention floor, this costume carried immense recognition. I remember a little girl running up to tell me how much she adored the character, and I smiled and said, 'Don't worry, Yaoyao will protect you!' The greatest joy of Cosplay photography lies in translating a 2D game design into a living three-dimensional presence; from pattern drafting to prop construction, I oversaw every step personally. Bringing this finished battlegear to meet fellow fans at the convention fulfilled a cherished dream. The shooting schedule was fast-paced, and standing on my black chunky platform shoes all day took a physical toll on my feet, yet reviewing those vibrant, life-affirming frames on camera made all the exhaustion melt away instantly.