The weekend weather was perfect for taking photos, so I took the Arknights La Pluma costume out for an Outdoor shoot. This photoset was shot across two locations: a city street with a bus stop sign, and beside a flower wall filled with bright yellow blossoms.
Because this outfit's structure is fairly intricate—especially the white apron and blue skirt, which wrinkle easily—I made sure to steam them flat before heading out, ensuring they presented a crisp, structured texture under natural light. The ruffled neckline on the top and the blue-and-white stripes on the cuffs were very refined, adding rich layers to the costume while requiring extra time to adjust into shape. The wig was a dark blue-gray short cut; the ahoge on top required setting spray to stay upright, otherwise it would collapse in the wind. For footwear, I chose black mid-heel ankle boots, which flattered the leg lines while remaining comfortable for walking along sidewalks and planter edges.
The first set of photos was taken at the bus stop. The distinct English lettering on the bus stop sign and the colorful cartoon graffiti wall provided a vibrant, saturated backdrop that contrasted nicely against the blue-and-white outfit, naturally focusing visual attention on the character. Following the photographer's guidance, I balanced on one foot by the curb, twisting my upper body slightly backward, holding a round metal-framed mirror to the right of my face, and gazing into the lens. This posture truly tested my balance, but it allowed the apron and skirt to flare out naturally, with the side angle showcasing the leg lines beautifully. The side lighting at that moment cast soft shadows across my cheek, making my gaze look more focused, while the reflection from the mirror added a clean translucency to the frame. The photographer also reminded me to keep my back straight to emphasize the sharp tailoring of the top, aligning with the outfit's overall aesthetic.
The second set of photos was shot in front of the flower wall. Facing lush green leaves and yellow blossoms, an open-arms pose best displayed the layers of the skirt. With arms held wide and my body slightly leaning forward, the blue and white of the skirt formed a clear color block division across the center, looking exceptionally fresh against the blooming backdrop. In this setting, I deliberately controlled how high I raised my arms to avoid pulling and distorting the fabric under the arms, while paying close attention to leg posture—since I wasn't wearing stockings, the shape of the calves in the light was particularly crucial; tucking the knees slightly inward made the legs appear straighter on camera. While this upright, open pose was relatively static, it effectively highlighted the garment's silhouette and commanding presence.
Across these two sets of photos, the entire Anime-style photography shooting process was breezy and enjoyable, and I learned many photography techniques for coordinating body movements with different backgrounds. This Outdoor shoot gave me a more intuitive understanding of how this character outfit looks in real-world environments, making it a thoroughly fulfilling experience.