[Maomao cosplay] The Apothecary Diaries: Kitty Carnival Ancient Style On-Location Cosplay Photoshoot

The weather today was extraordinarily nice with crystal-clear sunlight, so I made an appointment with the photographer to shoot Ancient style on-location photography of Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries. The theme chosen for this shoot was the 'Kitty Carnival,' with locations scouted in an antique, traditional garden. When wearing this outfit, I made specific adjustments to the wig's styling; Maomao's original hair is a bit messy, so I retained the blunt bangs and low pigtails adorned with red and blue beads on both sides, tying the top bun quite firmly to make moving around outdoors easier. The outdoor costume mainly consists of a pink and purplish-red crossed-collar design, with the outer layer being translucent tulle. Strolling through the courtyard, the sleeves fluttered with the breeze, giving the photos a wonderful dynamic feel.

For makeup, I focused heavily on eye details, using blue contact lenses and adding some red smudging at the outer corners to highlight Maomao's slightly clever yet languid vibe. The entire Cosplay photoshoot process was actually quite tiring, as the sleeves of this costume are very large, requiring extra care when walking in the garden to avoid catching on tree branches or railings. However, the lighting that day was truly fantastic—the sky was intensely blue with puffy white clouds, creating a strong color contrast against the red pillars, green leaves, and traditional flying eaves. Standing under the eaves, a beam of sunlight happened to hit my face, and the photographer candidly captured the moment I looked up at the sky; I really love that shot.

In fact, what is feared most in outdoor shooting is harsh lighting or strong winds, but today happened to clear up right after the rain, leaving the air still slightly humid. I leaned against the covered corridor of the garden for a while, then moved to the center of the courtyard, trying different poses to complement the architecture here. For instance, when leaning by the window, I tried to let my gaze empty out, looking at the distant sky and imagining myself as that young girl slipping out of the imperial court for a breath of fresh air. In the shot looking back over my shoulder, the photographer had me raise my hand slightly, using the drape of the wide sleeves to enhance the tension of the frame.

We didn't bring many complicated props this time, mainly wanting to express Maomao's relaxed, quiet state during the garden stroll. Looking over the whole shoot, what I'm most satisfied with is the texture of the pink outer gauze in the light; the semi-transparent material brings wonderful depth to the scene. For the theme of this Kitty Carnival, I started sorting out the wig and accessories a week in advance. Maomao's hair color is quite unique, requiring daily care to prevent frizz. The patterns and ribbons on the garments were also confirmed repeatedly down to the details to ensure the best presentation before the lens. Shooting in the garden, the temperature was actually not low, and wearing several layers of clothing was indeed a bit stuffy—especially the long sleeves, where moving even slightly made me sweat. But once in the shooting zone, my focus centered entirely on movements and expressions.

During lunch break, I reviewed the photos taken earlier under the tree shade and found that my skin tone and the clothing colors blended beautifully under natural light. In the afternoon, we switched between several scenes, from the covered walkway to stone steps, and then to the pavilion by the water. Different backgrounds set off different feels for the costume: beside red pillars, the pink dress appeared more vibrant; in front of green trees, the overall palette turned fresh and crisp. Looking back at these photos feels like a garden diary, recording tranquil moments.

Between takes, I also discussed angles with the photographer. The architectural lines of the garden are distinctive, with the curves of the eaves and red pillars naturally forming great framing devices. Moving through these structures, I tried to integrate the person with the environment. Although the clothing was heavy and somewhat hindered movement, seeing the quiet, classical atmosphere emerging in the camera made all the hard work feel insignificant. This set of photos was actually taken quite casually, without forcing exaggerated poses, mostly following the rhythm of the environment to walk and pause. Whenever the wind blew, the outer gauze skirt swayed slightly; that natural dynamism is hard to replicate in a studio. After a full day of shooting, despite physical fatigue, I felt completely fulfilled inside. Seeing the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves onto the ground and those moments of strolling through the garden in the photos, capturing this state felt genuinely wonderful.