This photo set was shot featuring Hu Tao's Sakura Sky Maiden skin from NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, with the overall visual ambiance primarily built upon a custom pink cherry blossom and hot spring set prepared in advance.
Photography and props were handled by Dada; the floral ornaments on the folding fan and paper umbrella were entirely handcrafted, and the detailed texture of these props contributed greatly to the final imagery. I did the makeup myself—considering the 2D character setting, the palette focused primarily on pink-violet tones to accentuate eye contours. The hair styling was managed by Lingxi, with the layering and curves of the pink wig meticulously styled. The animal ears crafted by Youran were delightfully full and coordinated seamlessly with the overall hairstyle.
For the location, we selected the 'Earthly Paradise' set at Guotai Studio, where a pool and abundant cherry blossom branches were assembled, complete with mist effects in the water. The photographer's lighting setup was quite precise, utilizing side backlighting to highlight the translucent edges of the hair and sheer fabric, complemented by a softbox in front to ensure balanced illumination across the face.
The dynamic flow of the styling required the closest attention during the shoot. To preserve the dimensional feel of the skirt's delicate tulle, subtle adjustments to the tilt of my stance were necessary throughout. For example, in the cover's seated pose, elongating the leg lines while maintaining a delicate demeanor with the fan prevented the composition from feeling cramped. When shooting near the water, controlling movement to prevent ripples and rising mist from obscuring the face proved to be a real challenge.
In post-processing, Dada harmonized the color temperature of the background cherry blossoms and subdued water reflections, deliberately preserving the skin texture of the legs and the vivid hues of detailed accessories like the red ankle ribbons. The costume incorporates golden ribbon accessories and floral elements; the contrast between the structured skirt hem and the sheer outer tulle caught studio lights differently, requiring moderate highlight suppression in post-production.
From planning to execution, this entire photoshoot underwent several rounds of coordination, investing considerable time in prop placement, posing direction, and fine-tuning light positions. The entire team collaborated smoothly, and the final imagery aligned closely with our initial concept.