Looking back at my photography journey in the ACG community over the past year, from casually trying Genshin Impact cosplay at first to exploring more stylized character designs from games like Arknights cosplay, my progress is genuinely reflected in every set of finished photos.
This year, I completed quite a few outdoor shoots in Ma'anshan. As an amateur cosplayer who loves Lolita, Hanfu, and JK fashion (Three subcultures), I always feel that a good costume greatly helps me get into character. This year, I tried Chinese style, JK uniforms, Lolita fashion, and light armor with fantasy elements. Preparing these outfits actually took a lot of effort, especially styling the wigs and matching the props. Although I had to carry bags big and small every time I went out for a photoshoot, I truly enjoyed every bit of it.
Speaking of shoots, I really want to thank our local Ma'anshan photoshoot booking team. They are extremely professional and always capture the exact atmosphere I want. Most of the time, we shot in local parks, reservoirs, or even abandoned factories and streets. To catch the perfect light, we often started makeup and styling at four or five in the morning. Forests wrapped in morning mist, dappled sunlight filtering through trees, and winter snowscapes all became fantastic backdrops in our lens. Additionally, a few shoots this year were indoors, such as a dining scene shot in a restaurant where sitting with fellow fans made me feel fully immersed in the characters' daily lives. This immersive recreation experience is something no other type of photography can replace.
When rainy days made outdoor shooting impossible, we shifted to indoor studio shoots, utilizing natural window light to create a soft image texture. I once stood by the river in the cold wind during an early winter morning, wearing a lightweight summer cosplay outfit. Although shivering from the cold, seeing the finished photo's cool, aloof ambiance mixed with a hint of stubbornness made every effort feel immediately rewarding.
In prop making, we also strived for excellence. Sometimes an inconspicuous accessory, like an animal-ear headband or a folding fan, could become the finishing touch for the whole outfit. My expectations for photos aren't just about looking good; I hope every photo conveys a narrative, allowing viewers to feel the character's mindset at that specific moment.
Let me talk about combining Lolita, Hanfu, and JK fashion (Three subcultures) with ACG culture. I noticed that many anime cosplay costume designs nowadays borrow heavily from traditional Hanfu or Kimono tailoring elements, which, paired with intricate prints and metallic accents, look amazingly photogenic. When taking photos in these outfits, you must pay attention not only to posture but also to specific gestures and gazes, which served as great practice for my camera presence.
For every set of photos this year, I tried my best to not only recreate character costumes, but also blend into the scene to breathe life into the character. After all, true cosplay isn't just putting on an outfit, but a secondary creation of the character's spirit, demeanor, and world atmosphere. While taking photos, I gradually explored photogenic angles that suit me, slowly color-grading light and shadow filters in post-processing to match that fictional world.
Although Ma'anshan cannot compare to first-tier cities like Shanghai or Guangzhou where large anime conventions happen frequently, the local ACG community atmosphere is actually very harmonious. Through offline meetups for popular titles like Genshin Impact and Arknights, I met many like-minded friends. Everyone loves discussing in group chats which locations suit which styles best or complaining about wig shop quality. That feeling of everyone running around together for what we love makes me feel exceptionally fulfilled.
Looking back at this past half-year, it was truly immensely rewarding. I not only refined my makeup and styling skills, but also got to know more local fellow fans. Integrating into Lolita, Hanfu, and JK fashion (Three subcultures), I realized it's not just about wearing clothes, but a choice of aesthetics and lifestyle. That red-and-white Lolita dress and that blue-and-white fantasy robe have all become my most cherished visual memories of 2026.