Choosing to create this cosplay work during the bustling Lantern Rite gave this photoshoot a special significance. The line in the post description, "All things past and present surge midstream; look to the rising stars for grand ambitions," resonated deeply with me, helping me bring emotions that fit the scene right into the shoot.
For this look, I chose an outfit dominated by dark blue and black, accented with gold cloud patterns and water ripple prints. The top features an off-the-shoulder halter-neck cut paired with detached wide sleeves, striking a balance between traditional elegance and modern aesthetic lightness. The silver-white wig, in particular, looked remarkably translucent under both natural light and scene lighting, with the texture between hair strands upholding the overall styling. To complement the outfit's cool demeanor, I specifically designed red eyeshadow at the outer corners of my eyes paired with true-red lipstick, aiming to present a playful yet slightly stubborn expression in front of the lens.
The scene and environment on the day of the shoot felt custom-made for the Lantern Rite. What satisfied me most were the clusters of orange and blue fish-shaped lanterns hanging above the streets. Standing beneath these warm light sources, my cool-toned silver-white hair and dark attire created a striking visual contrast, giving the images rich color layers and a heightened sense of festive warmth. When framing the shot, I intentionally stood in the middle of the street, gently raising a hand to touch my chin while using depth of field to blur out passersby and buildings behind me, keeping only the dappled light and shadow of the lanterns overhead. This ambient lighting was far more natural and vivid than studio strobes, which is why many friends praised the texture of this photo set.
This photo set was mainly completed across a selfie studio and distinctive outdoor street areas. The close-up portrait in image 3 featured a traditional wooden palace lantern adorned with ink painting patterns as the backdrop. During that shot, coordination between the model and photographer was key: making good use of the warm yellow glow seeping from the palace lantern to illuminate the side profile, using rim light to outline facial contours. For post-processing adjustments, we preserved as much of the on-site atmosphere as possible without over-saturating or boosting contrast, primarily aiming for a soft and premium texture without making the images look cheap from overly aggressive colors.
As a member of the Genshin Impact community and creator circles, being able to recreate the game's Lantern Rite atmosphere in real-life settings is immensely fulfilling. Although this was not a Shanghai photoshoot booking set directly in Liyue Harbor, these real-world streets filled with red lanterns and fish lights were more than enough to immerse us in the festive celebration of Teyvat. The selfie studio also provided great logistical support, allowing us to tweak costume details at any time.
Although the entire shoot was physically demanding—from the tedious task of straightening wigs and hair accessories to finding shooting angles among crowds—the moment I saw the final photos, everything felt completely worthwhile. Through this Genshin Impact cosplay during this Lantern Rite, I felt as though I truly walked into that fantasy world filled with human warmth and lively festivities. I hope this attempt to merge passion with life can also bring a sense of holiday warmth to everyone who sees these photos.