[Aston Machan cosplay] Umamusume: Pretty Derby White Dress Photoshoot Record

When shooting this Aston Machan cosplay set from Umamusume: Pretty Derby, pre-shoot preparations mainly focused on recreating the rich layering of the costume. This white dress features numerous ruffle details, requiring extra care during wearing and removal to prevent creasing. On the day of the shoot, we specifically chose a pure white backdrop and spread a wide expanse of draped white cloth across the floor to visually echo the fabric's texture. For accessories, I opted for a reddish-brown curly wig along with cute, pointy-horned hair accessories. To match the character's demeanor, the makeup featured defined blush and eye styling, with warm-toned eyeshadow making the whole face look softer and sweeter. The over-the-knee White stockings were also a crucial component of the styling, with their texture casting a delicate sheen under the studio lights.

The concept for this Studio shoot incorporated plenty of plush toys as foreground and background accents—including a pink bunny, a yellow doll, purple plushies, and a giant pink strawberry prop. These props beautifully elevated the sweet and dreamy ambiance. During the shoot, I tried various poses—such as supporting myself on the floor with my hands, tilting slightly, or gently holding my hair—to convey a natural, languid vibe. The brown dashed doodle added in post-production was because the background felt a bit too plain; adding a touch of design that resembles a question mark suited this cute style with a hint of personality.

In the studio, lighting control is paramount for this type of high-key photography. We had to ensure the skin looked bright and translucent without letting the white clothing blend into the white backdrop, requiring the photographer to carefully adjust reflector angles to sculpt subtle shadow layers. The long hemline paired with petticoats caused some restriction with every posture adjustment, so movements had to be crisp and decisive to offer a broader variety for selection. This shoot was a wonderful experience combining cute 2D aesthetics with physical on-site staging.

Throughout the makeup adjustments, I had to account for how camera lighting diminishes makeup intensity while maintaining the overall aesthetic. White clothing easily reflects light and can flatten facial features, so I spent extra effort on nose contouring and facial shading to sculpt refined contours. Because the character requires a specific hair color, styling the wig also took careful effort—ensuring the curl volume was neither too loose nor too tight, resting right on the shoulders. Paired with suitable poses, the final result met my expectations. The shooting day went smoothly; although high heels and heavy clothing made moving around somewhat tricky, seeing the final photos made it completely worth it. This set aims to express an approachable, sweet charm. As a cosplayer, I am continuously exploring how to better interpret the character of Aston Machan from Umamusume: Pretty Derby through gaze, body language, and scene staging.