A HIGH SCHOOL GIRL DREAM: MY JANUARY PHOTOSHOOT ADVENTURE

Good day, Hivers! It has been a while, hasn’t it? 🙈 I hope you will take a moment to read this little blog of mine because I am so excited to share something special with you. On January 5, 2025, I had a fun photoshoot where I dressed up as a Japanese high school girl! Although the outfit is customized, I am still really proud of how it turned out. It was a simple yet creative way to bring the look to life.Hajimemashou! (Let’s begin)

What I have here are some of my photoshoot pictures, yes, just some of them! There are actually so many more, but I picked a few of my favorites to share with you today. Haha! I hope you enjoy looking through these shots as much as I enjoyed creating them. It was such a fun experience, and I think the vibe of the outfit really shines through in the photos, it's really givingggg!!!

So, take a good look at this! I poured my heart into the details and poses, and each picture has a little piece of the excitement I felt while doing this shoot. I cannot wait to hear your thoughts about it!😄

Now that you’ve seen it, let me share a little backstory. This is just Phase 1 of the shoot! 😂 I ended up taking so many pictures that day. My younger sister was the one behind the camera, and while the shots aren’t super professional, I’m still happy with them. 😌

It all started when I was bored and remembered I had a thrifted Japanese high school costume. It’s amazing how thrift finds, or ukay-ukay clothes, can be transformed into something unique, especially since these types of costumes aren’t easy to come by in our country. I paired the outfit with matching shoes and socks, and after doing my makeup, I got straight to the photoshoot.

My sister wasn’t really in the mood at first, so I had to convince her to help me out. 😅 At one point, I even asked some kids nearby to take pictures of me since my sister was being stubborn. Haha! She eventually took a few shots, though, so it worked out in the end.

wwwwwww

After that, I decided to review the pictures and, honestly, I couldn’t help but laugh at some of them. There were awkward poses, funny angles, and moments where the lighting didn’t cooperate, but that’s what made it even more special. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real and that’s what I love about it.

At one point, the kids I asked to help were giggling while taking my photos, and it made the whole experience feel lighthearted and fun. I even overheard them whispering about how cool the costume looked, which secretly boosted my confidence.  

Here with me is my baby, Heji! A little background about his name—when he was just a tiny patootie, his fur had these spike-like patterns that reminded me of a hedgehog. Inspired by that, I decided to name him Heji. Plus, I love it even more because it reminds me of Naruto Shippuden! The name just felt so perfect for him.

Now, back to the story. It was honestly a bit embarrassing at the time. People were walking past us, giving those quick glances that made me feel so awkward. You know, the AWKWARD MOMENTS HAHAHAHA! But I kept telling myself, "This is for the photos!" and honestly, the embarrassment quickly disappeared when I thought about how good the pictures would turn out. It felt so rewarding knowing the effort was worth it.

About the ribbon—yes, I actually made that! It was originally supposed to be a hair clip, crafted from a ribbon and a reused clip. But then I realized it could be super useful for some of my photoshoots, and guess what? I was absolutely right! The first time I used the ribbon was for my AYASE MOMO cosplay from Dandadan.

I wish I could share the photos with you guys, but sadly, the quality isn’t great because I took them at night with my Android phone, and, well, night lighting isn’t exactly forgiving. Still, it was such a fun experience! Cosplaying her, even in a low-budget edition, was totally worth it. There’s something so satisfying about putting together a cosplay on a budget and still capturing the character’s vibe. But, I'll let you guys see some 😊

Honestly, I’ve been thinking about redoing the whole look someday—improving the cosplay, getting better lighting, and maybe even using a proper camera. I really want to show you guys the upgraded version when it’s ready, so I hope you’ll wait for that moment with me! Fingers crossed for a future photoshoot that truly does justice to Ayase Momo and my DIY ribbon!

Moving to phase2 of the photoshoot, see you on my next blog😜😉

(from PINTEREST)

Looking back, this little photoshoot was more than just a random activity. It was a way for me to express myself and appreciate the small joys of creativity. From making Heji’s name meaningful to crafting a DIY ribbon for my cosplay, it was a reminder that it is not about having the most expensive costume or the fanciest equipment. It is about making the most of what you have and turning it into something meaningful and memorable.

I have always loved dressing up and experimenting with different styles, and this experience reignited that spark. Stepping into a new character, even for just a moment, feels like bringing a piece of a dream to life, one photo at a time. Sure, there were awkward moments, like the people walking past us or the less-than-perfect lighting, but those imperfections only added to the charm of the whole experience.

To anyone reading this, I @saixieh hope it inspires you to embrace your creative spark, no matter how simple or small it may seem. Sometimes, it is those little bursts of effort and imagination that make life brighter and more exciting. Here is to more fun, more costumes, and more memories to cherish. Let us keep creating and making magic out of the ordinary! Happy New Year and God Bless!! 💜