Reason for delay

I’ve been trying to get this blog post together for almost a MONTH. Why? First, I kinda overestimated my ability to edit properly made group photos. When I’m solo, or when it’s not a real serious shoot, I can just make myself look the way I want and call it a job well done. Trying to balance everyone is a nightmare!😩

And then? Then I’ve got distracted by just released Arknights Endfield. The factory must grow y’know…

Well, I’ve decided to post what I have now. If I keep delaying to edit more group photos, I’ll just forget the details of the event. So let’s dive into day 2 of my recent trip to Moscow!🚄

Preparations

It all started as an idea between Sonya and I during my New Year trip. As a part of us scrambling to make the holidays interesting, I’ve suggested Sonya to make a photoshoot, and proposed a theme. Roaring twenties, but… edgy. A mafia-style poker night. She immediately fell in love with this concept.

I started planning the shoot and working on props and accessories, while Sonya helped with finds a suitable studio and searching for extras. And then we found our partners in crime. Lin and Ness. Unfortunately, Ness got really sick just before the holidays, but luckily Rizell was interested in participating as well, so we dragged them instead. Santgeo became our photographer.

…And that’s where my planning mode kicked in.

While we were all about capturing the vibe, not being historical purists, I couldn’t resist adding a few touches to make the set pop.

My apartment was quickly transformed into a temporary workshop. I had poker chips, cards, and the essential prop set already. But then, the real work began. My theme was “The Dame,” the mysterious femme fatale with a taste for the finer things. So, of course, that meant cigarettes.

Now, I don’t smoke. I’ve never smoked. But for the sake of a good aesthetic… anything goes! It was the first time I’d ever actually purchased a pack of Marlboro Red for myself. Walking out of that shop felt… illicit.

And that wasn’t enough.

I spent a whole day designing my own custom cigarette packaging, ‘cause modern packaging just ain’t gonna cut it! Redoing the original desing from scratch I couldn’t resist adding a small Easter Egg. Could you spot it? Will it even be visible on photos? Only time will tell…

Sonya’s role was ‘The Boss’ - a ruthless, cigar-smoking matriarch. We wanted cigars, but the available props wouldn’t be able to arrive in time. So I decided to make it from scratch. PVC pipes, craft paper aged with a touch of tea+coffee dye mix, and a touch of charred tea leaves for the butts. Are they realistic? No. Not even a little. But are they badass? Absolutely! And for an added layer of comedy, I’ve made a logo and crafted an import declaration slip for them. “Héroe enmascarado” branded cigars imported in from “Real Fábrica de Doces de Brinquedo” for “The Boss”. Sonya absolutely loved the detail, and during a photoshoot made a mini series of her opening the box.

I finished my look with a vintage cigarette case and a long ivory holder. Paired with my red dress and a thick, white faux-fur coat… well, I was less Makima and more Cruella De Vil, but you know what? It worked. It looked damn good.

The final touch? Making realistic-looking ash and cigarette butts for our photos. The smell… oh god, the smell. My apartment reeked of burnt tobacco for a solid week after. My partner still hasn’t forgiven me. Was it worth it? Yes. A million times yes. The aesthetic is everything.

The revolver

Now, for any cosplayer worth their salt, accessories are key. And let me tell you, my revolver was the crown jewel. A heavy, metallic piece of craftsmanship that looked scarily real. I loved it. But as it turns out, “scary real” is a huge problem when you’re trying to get on a train with it.

My heart was pounding. What if they took it away? What if I got arrested for carrying what they’d think is an illegal firearm? It didn’t had any documents or certificates saying that it wasn’t a real gun, so my concern was real. I even made a call to the hotline, but all they’ve said was “it’s not technically illegal, but since it looks like a real firearm, we can’t guarantee anything…”. Great, thanks!

In a fit of panic, I roped in my partner. “Come with me,” I said, my voice trembling with anxiety. “Just in case I need backup.” I stuffed the revolver and put in my check-in bag.

Walking towards security was pure torture. I held my breath. The officer took my bag. His face went from bored to intense. He stared at it, his eyes narrowing.

“I need to see the gun,” he said.

My blood ran cold. I took it out carefully, saying that it’s not a real gun, though it looks like one. It was a souvenir. It’s all I could say. He turned it over in his hand, inspecting it for what felt like an eternity. I was bracing for impact. Finally, he looked at me, then at the gun, then back at me. He just sighed. “Okay,” he grunted, handing it back.

I gave a sigh of relief.

In Moscow getting past metro security with it was the second challenge of the day. But showing it once more, with the same “it’s a souvenir, not a real thing” spiel, was enough. Phew. Safe passage secured. It was the most expensive, nerve-wracking prop I’ve ever acquired, and honestly? Worth every single second of anxiety. The photos with it turned out iconic.

Walking to the set

One more detail (Yeah, I know, I’m dragging this out, but I’m telling you, I’l forget if I won’t post, and this was funny as well)

The studio was 30 minutes away. So I’ve decided to just walk these. And, to save the time dressing up and not messing around, I’ve put on my hip pads beforehand. Under my casual clothes.

And OH MY GOD.

I suddenly felt… powerful. I was strutting. Like I was Frankie LaPenna, swaying my huge ass down the street. I giggled like dumbass all the way to the studio.

And I was also really, REALLY surprised my pants actually fit. Like, I was thinking the fly not to close, and be held only by the belt. It was… snug. Very snug. It was hilarious and a bit uncomfortable at the same time.

Start of the photoset

17:00 o’clock. On the dot. As usual, being early or exactly on time pays off. While everyone was still on route, I arrived first, and since I was the only model who showed up on time… I got the whole studio for myself for a solid hour!

Me, Santgeo, and my new friend, the camera. What a dream team. He was a pro, and he knew how to capture the magic.

We went wild. Solo portraits. Every angle. I owned that room.

The dress clung to my every curve, the furcoat screamed luxury and confidence. And the cigarette holder or a gun? Oh, that was my masterstroke. The final piece of the puzzle.

The whole experience was intoxicating. Standing there under those bright lights, posing, directing my own photos… I felt like a damn movie star. Unstoppable. Powerful.

It’s times like this that remind me why I love what I do. Now, to wait for everyone else to show up so we can start the real chaos. 🤗😉

Group photos

At about 18 the gang finally ready. And the real fun began. First up, giving the girls their moment in the spotlight.

Lin… well, Lin is a force of nature. A goblin unleashed. She grabbed the knife Rizell brought as a prop and swung it around like a madwoman, laughing and striking poses with a pure, unadulterated joy. It was hilarious.

Sonya… was a boss from the second she stepped foot in the room. All commanding and authoritative. This was the exact moment I pulled out the custom-made cigar box and watched her light up (figuratively and literally) with glee.

Rizell… Well, they were a bit shy since it was their first time in a studio. But, we haven’t forgotten about them. Just let them relax and breathe in the atmosphere.

And then… the group photos.

Oh, the group photos. We went straight for the dramatic shots. Me, Lin, Sonya and Riz all posed together, leaning on that grand chair, guns drawn, daggers held high. The lighting hit us perfectly. It looked less like a cosplay shoot and more like we were shooting the cover art for some dark, neo-noir film. Poster-perfect. The vibes were unreal.

But then we tried to play poker. Oh, god. We tried to play poker.

The idea was simple, but the execution was pure, uncut chaos. In hindsight, I should’ve had a proper scenario written down. Like, who’s the winner, who’s the cheater?

Instead, it devolved into Lin somehow winning everything. Sonya accused her of cheating, and next thing you know, we’re in the middle of a tense standoff. Lin just swept every single chip off the table and declared herself the winner. It was a mess.

But hey, that’s life, right? Sometimes you have to just let the chaos happen.

Some of the individual shots came out great, though! Really great, actually. When I get my shit together and actually edit them, you’ll see. Just give me a few more months, or nag others. Maybe they’ll post the pics as well.

Last ideas

We still had an hour. Time to improvise and find something interesting. The initial theme was pretty much exhausted.

Then Rizell, after watching our poker game unfold, decided to step in for their solo shot. And what a choice they made. Lying back in the grand chair like a king in exile. They held a bottle of Jack Daniel’s in one hand, the pistol they brought along in the other. It was perfect. Dark, moody, and so, so cool. A character piece right there. They owned that chair.

Lin, being the goblin she is, wanted more. So we crammed her into a large prop chest. “Like a coffin!” someone said. And we ran with it. We got some photos of her looking like she’d just been assassinated by Rizell and unceremoniously stuffed inside. Morbid? Sure. Fun? You bet your ass it was.

Final thoughts

Even though the “poker game” part of the shoot was a chaotic disaster, this whole photoset ended up being an incredible success. The pictures are gold. We got some truly iconic shots. We created a memory that’s going to last for years. I can already picture it.

Most importantly? It’s a lesson learned. Next time, I’m coming with a full script. A binder. A clipboard. We’re doing it right.

But for now… this is enough. This is a great foundation.

And guess what? I’m already planning another shoot. A properly staged one. The theme is still a secret. A surprise. For now, go enjoy these pics. The best is yet to come.