[Genshin Impact Raiden Ei & Raiden Makoto Cosplay] Inazuma Sisters Japanese-Style Studio Photoshoot

The theme for this two-person studio photoshoot was set as Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei from Genshin Impact, located at a Japanese-style studio in Guangzhou. The scene elements are actually very classic: red torii gates, cherry blossoms covering the branches, warm yellow andon lanterns, as well as geta clogs, Japanese umbrellas, and sake bottles. When scouting the location, I felt that the light, shadow, and set decoration were particularly suited to presenting the atmospheric bond between the sisters, so before shooting we settled on camera placement that emphasized a story-driven feel.

In terms of clothing, their two styles are actually quite complementary. Ei's modified Japanese-style outfit is crisp and cool, leaning toward a combat style. From the white and purple base layer and deep purple armor to the iconic glossy black over-the-knee high-heeled boots, the visual focus is pulled toward the lower body. The boots and skin exposure design are actually quite a test for composition—if not handled carefully, it can make the legs look short, but paired with low-angle shots or a seated pose, it effectively conveys a sense of power. Makoto's outfit is a gentle Japanese style: a translucent white outer garment paired with purple floral motifs, along with the traditional combination of geta clogs and white mid-calf socks, immediately bringing out a classic, elegant temperament. Both of their hair colors feature layered purple tones, creating a lovely resonance under the lights.

Speaking of a two-person photoshoot, it is indeed much harder than a solo shoot. For instance, in the cover shot I'm most satisfied with, Makoto's head naturally rests on Ei's shoulder. This action looks effortless, but in reality we had to adjust absolute positioning and eye gaze direction. The low-angle framing also needed to avoid the top frame of the lanterns while ensuring the cherry blossom branches served as a framing accent in the foreground rather than blocking their faces. Furthermore, we had to balance the main light sources on both of them during the shoot. The smooth surface of Ei's boots was prone to reflections, while Makoto's light-colored clothes tended to blend into the background. Light metering required constant balancing to ensure the final photos had clear, transparent light and shadow.

The use of props was also a highlight of this photoshoot. The Japanese umbrella hanging with purple flower strings was mainly held in Makoto's hand, serving as an embellishment that balanced the negative space in the upper left of the frame. The sake bottle placed on a low wooden table nearby implied a daily scene of resting after a grand battle. During breaks in the shoot, we also tried swapping the sword and umbrella; every time we changed actions, we felt like we were looking for realism within the characters' daily living states. Since the space in the studio wasn't particularly large and the cherry blossom decor was dense, many angles required the two of us to stay as close to each other as possible. The intimate and interdependent feeling presented in this set of photos was precisely the chemistry we found after practicing in front of the lens for a long time.

In terms of retouching and color grading, I preferred to retain the warm yellow base color cast by the red lanterns in the original shot, focusing on darkening the shadows of the background ceiling beams to keep the models' faces bright and clean, while appropriately desaturating the pink-purple tones of the cherry blossoms to avoid a gaudy look. This time, beyond capturing the outward traits of the characters, we wanted to convey the quiet serenity of the sisters' relationship. Creating this set of photos was filled with all sorts of joyful mishaps—like skirt hems frequently getting caught in floor cracks, or feet hurting after wearing boots for a long time—but the moment the shutter clicked, all these details transformed into the most genuine expressions and movements. That's why I personally love this final result very much.