[Firefly ACG Expo] Convention photos: Sharing Multi-Style Styling and Looks

The Convention photos shot at Firefly ACG Expo have finally been retouched! This time I prepared five distinct looks in total, shooting continuously from morning until the hall closed in the afternoon, which was truly physically demanding. The first outfit was a white sci-fi hazmat suit paired with black over-the-knee Stockings and lace-up ankle boots. To emphasize the techwear vibe, I deliberately added pipelines and transparent accessories around the waist; when walking, I had to take extra care not to tear the tubing. Although the suit looks heavy, it was actually quite breathable. The shooting location was set right next to the floor-to-ceiling French windows on the upper floor of the venue. The afternoon natural light was exceptionally clear and luminous—front-lit shots showcased the crisp white texture of the fabric, while backlighting cast a beautiful halo across the edges of my hair.

The second look was a black lace dress paired with plush furry gloves and cat-ear hair accessories. The makeup for this look leaned darker, with defined eye contours; the photographer guided me to extend my arms more frequently to better display the cascading layers of the skirt. There was also a pink-haired look paired with white feathered wings; paired with a soft-focus diffusion filter, the image carried an ethereal, dreamy charm. However, anchoring the wings was a massive challenge, requiring invisible shoulder straps and fishing line adjusted repeatedly to ensure they wouldn't slip during turns.

The other two outfits were a navy-blue dress and a white shirt with suspender trousers. The navy dress was paired with lace-up high heels and black mini props; during shooting, we sought out walls with geometric architectural lines as backdrops, utilizing the building's contours and glass reflections to yield surprisingly striking effects. The white shirt look was quieter: crossing my hands over my chest with closed eyes against the city skyline outside the window evoked an introspective, contemplative mood.

Regarding post-processing in Anime-style photography, I prefer preserving authentic skin texture rather than excessive smoothing, instead unifying the cool color palette through grading while occasionally introducing high-saturation color pops—such as bright crimson props—which stood out vividly against cool backdrops. This time, I experimented with varied filters and editorial layouts to express each style: some featured screentone halftone dots, while others took on frosted glass textures. These graphic design elements significantly enhanced visual interest, making the Convention photos look like magazine editorials.

Every comic convention is a dual test of endurance and technique. From makeup and hair to prop maintenance and communication with the photographer, every single detail needs prior coordination. Our synergy this time was seamless, nailing shots on nearly every first take and saving considerable time. As for costume nuances, there is still room for improvement—such as the tension of the sock garters and the joints of the props, which I will aim to conceal better next time. Overall, the resulting Convention photos fully met my expectations. Bringing conceptual visions into reality through cosplay was immensely rewarding, and the warm enthusiasm from everyone at the expo made all the hard work in prepping this gear feel completely worthwhile.