After walking through Uji for an entire day, our legs and feet were aching, but sorting through these photos filled me with boundless motivation. Across the sloped alleys, riverbanks, and streets of Uji, we finally wrapped up this group shoot for Sound! Euphonium.
To prepare for this shoot, our group began planning well in advance. From uniform fabric textures and neck ribbon shades to wig cutting and styling, every single detail went through multiple rounds of verification. Because we were shooting on location in authentic Uji, costume neatness and prop accuracy were especially paramount. The weather on the day was wonderfully cooperative with clear skies and bright sunshine, though it also meant the high temperatures severely drained our physical energy. The four of us, lugging heavy bags of camera gear and wardrobe changes, wove our way through the streets and avenues of Uji.
For this shoot, I portrayed Kumiko Omae. For her attire, I chose the classic brown blazer jacket and pleated skirt, pairing the white sailor collar with a deep crimson ribbon. To visually elongate leg lines and capture the everyday realism of Kitauji High School students, I styled an ensemble mixing white calf-high socks with black tights. Meanwhile, my three partners brought Reina Kousaka cosplay, Yoshikawa Yuko cosplay, and Kaori Nakaseko to life. We intentionally selected different colored neck ribbons to distinguish our grade levels, and varied our hosiery choices—some wearing black Stockings, others white Stockings or calf-high socks. Under the bright sun, the varied textures and colors of our legwear paired with the pleated skirts brought forth a vivid, authentic youthful charm.
The shooting process was full of challenges. When shooting near the water, we had to take off our shoes and socks, stepping barefoot onto wet, slippery rocks. We supported one another, carefully minding our footing to prevent slipping while keeping our facial expressions natural and ensuring our skirts weren't swept up by gusts of wind. When framing near the station and stairways, we seized brief windows between passing pedestrians to adjust our positioning. Often, achieving a single perfect frame required several people coordinating to hold shading umbrellas, carry bags, or smooth out hems. To keep our wigs fluffy and voluminous, everyone continuously brushed strands and touched up makeup during short pauses, striving to present our absolute best during the limited shooting window.
While the finished photos might have minor imperfections in lighting or posing—such as slight blown-out highlights under intense sunlight or candid expressions caught mid-burst—the entire journey was steeped in cherished memories. In between takes, we chatted about the story and shared our understanding of each character. Walking where they walked in real life turned this cosplay into more than just a photoshoot; it felt like a genuine cross-dimensional encounter with the characters themselves. Even though the journey was tiring and carrying heavy bags all day was exhausting, we found every second entirely worthwhile. We can't wait for our next gathering, where we'll prepare even more thoroughly to unlock even more iconic scenes.