This Arknights Lappland cosplay Narcissus main shoot was set in an abandoned, half-demolished building. I've wanted to shoot Lappland for a long time, and since two of my friends happened to cosplay Lappland the Decadenza and Lappland Refined Horrormare respectively, we decided to put together a dual-character ruins photography theme. My first impression upon getting the design concept was that although these two variants share the same facial foundation, their aura and demeanor are vastly different, requiring thoughtful effort in coordinating the setting and props.
Regarding costumes, makeup, and props, both wigs were customized long white hair, but to distinguish between them, we crafted different animal ear shapes and braided details at the crown. Lappland the Decadenza's outfit leans toward a tactical punk aesthetic, combining glossy black leather with metal chains and a pop of red lining for strong visual impact. Meanwhile, Lappland Refined Horrormare, though sharing the black-white-red palette, features a robe with better drape, paired with tall boots and leg straps for sleek, sharp lines. As for props, the massive geometric weapon was handcrafted and assembled by our team; though heavy to hold, it offers striking line definition and fills the frame exceptionally well under a wide-angle lens. The blue roses were subtle accents added mid-shoot to convey a sense of fragile brokenness amid cold ruthlessness.
Lighting for this shoot was particularly demanding. The ruins environment naturally had chaotic light mixed with dust and a damp smell, accompanied by mottled walls. Sunbeams streaming through window holes and cobwebs added a storytelling quality. Rather than relying on overly complex fill lighting, we directly utilized the venue's high-contrast hard light sources, positioning the characters at the boundary of light and shadow. Take the staircase shot, for example: peeling mosaic tiles on the wall combined with intentionally preserved black graffiti created a striking contrast with the characters' pale faces and vivid outfits—a beauty that feels both fractured and surprisingly harmonious.
Interacting and posing together really tested our chemistry. Since both Lappland forms involve large movements, capes easily hit props during turns, requiring numerous candid attempts to capture that calm, composed combat stance. The subtle atmosphere when handing each other the blue rose was wonderful—the site fell nearly silent except for the clicking of the photographer's shutter.
Post-processing was kept minimal, focusing on highlighting the raw grit of the scene against the smooth luminescence of the skin, preserving a hint of wasteland atmosphere coupled with an arrogant posture. Though physically exhausting, seeing the final color tones and mood made every preparation worthwhile. This photo set captures Lappland's unique balance of tough strength and decadent romance just right.