During the Chinese New Year season in Hong Kong, taking advantage of the holiday break, photographer @Ankhol Amamiya and I shot this set of Rin featuring her iconic red and black color scheme. Soaked in the festive atmosphere of the New Year, we set our photoshoot along Hong Kong street photography locations and unique local architecture.
The focus of this styling was recreating the classic red-and-black academy look. The deep burgundy turtleneck long-sleeve base shirt, paired with the iconic embroidered white cross pattern, is exceptionally eye-catching. Button-decorated sleeves combined with a black high-waisted pleated skirt create a striking color contrast. For accessories, I used two black bows to tie up twin tails; the naturally cascading curls were also meticulously styled, paired with light blue contact lenses and cool-toned eye makeup to convey the character's signature tsundere yet focused presence. The red circular command seal mark on my wrist was a subtle detail of this outfit, which the photographer specifically highlighted in close-up shots.
For the lower half, I opted for a Black tights outfit featuring over-the-knee socks paired with thick-soled black loafers. The band of the thigh-high socks sat right at the upper thigh, visually elongating leg proportions, which, together with the movement of the pleated skirt, matched the character's original design perfectly. Although the cut of the garments is quite everyday wearable, the full combination exudes a strong Anime-style photography aesthetic.
We selected a rich variety of shooting spots. During the day, we focused on retro red brick buildings and white Gothic arches as main backdrops. The steps outside the arch offered excellent framing composition; standing mid-stair while resting a hand against a white pillar with red brick walls behind provided a rich, artful palette. A row of glass windows lined the outer wall, reflecting light and adding depth to the frame. Leaning against the red brick wall looking upward, the photographer captured a candid, relaxed state.
Once night fell, the scene shifted to outdoor stone steps. This was my favorite part of the whole shoot—black wrought-iron handrails lined the steps, which were draped in nighttime moisture. Utilizing warm yellow streetlights as the primary light source, the photographer skillfully used rim backlighting to outline my hair, instantly bestowing a cinematic feel upon the frame. Sitting on the stone steps or leaning on the railing looking back, the combination of stockings and skirt drapes yielded an exquisite texture under the nightscape.
The final scene was set along the bustling nighttime Hong Kong street photography locations. Traffic hummed and pedestrians passed by. Shooting from across the street, the photographer used window reflections and double exposure techniques to blend the rushing street traffic with my still presence beside a signal post. That dynamic contrast between hustle and quiet serenity was extraordinarily captivating.
Working with Amamiya felt natural and seamless; he swiftly captures the ideal intersection between ambient lighting and character mood. From refined compositions to atmospheric storytelling, the visual narrative across these photos came out fully realized. I'm thrilled to have completed such a narrative-rich shoot during Chinese New Year, leaving behind a special memory for the fresh year.