Yu Linglong's Happy Fate Red Line themed outfit from NARAKA: BLADEPOINT was brought to life in this photoshoot. The combination of red and plush materials, paired with leg strap designs, added visual elements aligned with anime aesthetics to the original game character. Before the shoot, photographer @ShenhuoFreya and I specifically discussed this red-and-white color scheme; beyond capturing festive New Year brightness, we wanted to preserve Yu Linglong's inherently lively temperament.
Most noteworthy in the costume design are the pinkish-white plush trims on the shoulders and wrists, a material that creates soft rim lighting under studio lights—ideal for backlit shots. Meanwhile, red crisscross thin rope straps along the thighs and feet add visual tension to the overall styling. Being a barefoot look, floor temperature was actually a consideration, but luckily the indoor heater helped immensely. Paired with a platinum blonde wig, heterochromatic contact lenses, and adjusted makeup, the camera presence felt right on point.
A lot of thought went into scene construction. We chose white sheer drapes featuring Chinese calligraphy scrolls as the backdrop, providing a clean base while using light translucency to build a dreamy ambiance. For props, we specially prepared red ornaments displaying \"Get Rich\" calligraphy and patterns, golden ingots, and a small bamboo basket filled with red berries. Simultaneously, white branches simulating plum blossoms were arranged on both sides, with point light sources aimed at the branches and white drapes to create an interwoven ratio of key and rim light, making the character visually pop against the background.
During shooting, the photographer was very thoughtful with positioning wooden chairs and stone steps. The crisp texture of wooden furniture contrasted sharply with the softness of white drapes and white plum blossoms, while red lanterns placed low as accents complemented warm ambient lighting, perfectly matching the romantic and festive theme of the \"Happy Fate Red Line\". When trying various sitting and semi-squatting poses, special attention was paid to keeping the red rope straps clean-lined on camera, avoiding unnatural bunching caused by bent knees—a small professional detail during production.
Looking back at the final photos, I feel that in portraying Yu Linglong, I didn't push for exaggerated expressions, but instead relied on relaxed, natural gazes to convey her innate composure. After all, in shoots blending Chinese tradition with anime aesthetics, a comfortable and confident posture maximizes the garment's elegance. The concept of being guided by the red thread is fascinating; it not only creates visual resonance, but also beautifully reflects people's hopes for good fortune during the New Year. The entire process was both a creative photographic effort and an authentic offline expression of the game character.