[Yao Mei cosplay] Relaxing Moments by the Summer Poolside

This shoot was centered around a Yao Mei Summer waterside theme, and quite a bit of preparation went into it. First came styling the wig and accessories: the pink wig had to be smoothed out carefully, and the deer antlers and beast ears had to be firmly secured. The heart-shaped sunglasses and headpieces also required just the right angle, otherwise they would slide off whenever I lowered my head. As for makeup, to complement the clear, refreshing summer aesthetic, the base makeup was applied lightly to highlight the eye makeup and the little heart markings on the face. For the outfit, I chose a sheer white top paired with pink ruffled shorts; the delicate tulle shimmers under the sun and catches the breeze gracefully by the water. The water gun prop was added to keep the visuals lively, making poses feel much more natural.

The location was a relatively open outdoor pool. The vibrant blue water formed a striking contrast with the pink wig. Posing while standing or sitting on a paddleboard proved quite challenging due to the floating sensation—it wobbles with the slightest movement. The close-up in Photo 3 was taken while sitting down; it required keeping my back straight, shoulders relaxed, and eyes looking straight into the lens. We tested angles repeatedly to find the best lighting on my face. Photo 1 features a close-up of bare feet, which conveys a relaxed poolside vibe, while the skin looked clean and fair in the sun. Photo 4 shows me lying on the board with the water gun—a pose demanding substantial core and lower back strength, yet it captured just the right playful charm.

Since normal, tasteful styling was emphasized, I made sure not to force overly revealing or unnatural poses while highlighting the character's cuteness. Playing in the water in summer inherently brings a healthy, cheerful vibe. To achieve high-quality cosplay photos, we used reflectors for fill light and adjusted our positioning whenever the background sunlight was too overpowering. For this Honor of Kings Yao Mei cosplay, my goal was to faithfully recreate her ethereal and agile nature, but framed within this waterside setting, it was even more about expressing radiant summer vitality. Although shooting under the scorching sun was tiring, it was thoroughly enjoyable. You can see the authentic skin texture and sparkling water highlights in the final photos, making it a fantastic summer experience. The final results lived up to expectations, capturing every intended effect and preserving an unforgettable 2D moment unique to this summer.