What is it about Plus/Full Figured Models?

[Jerel]

I've notice that there are only a few Photographers that shoot and post photos of plus/full figured models. I'd like to know if it more of a challenge to work with plus size models? Is it that plus size women don't like to be photographed? I'd really like to hear your opinion.

[Jim Bryant]

They want to look skinny, unless they are ok with looking fat. A big market out there for those folks in advertising.

[Dennismc]

Jim's bluntness aside

Its true, taking a " society sized woman" and a flattering picture I am thinking is easier, then a plus sized model. The picture has to look good. There are a lot of plus sized women/men that are quite content with their body, but that does not directly relate to a good picture. Getting that picture to look good requires a certain touch, finesse and experience.

You have to make the model look their BEST in a picture of a plus sized person, there is already to much that society would place on them without a bad picture to boot.

I still think it is still the industry's fault as well as consumers to blame for it. Sex sells, period and still there is to much tied up in a size 1 model vs a size 18 model.

[BCampbell]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

They want to look skinny, unless they are ok with looking fat.

Wow.

No.

This is not only wrong, but disgustingly offensive.

"plus size" does not equal "fat". If you're as well versed in advertising as you claim, you'd know that. "full figured" doesn't even mean "fat" necessarily, but it's often a euphemism.

And it's absolutely not true that they all want to look skinny. There are plenty of women out there who are not a size 4 and under, who love how they look, and who moreover are perfectly healthy and happy individuals.

Score one for the patriarchy, man. Well done.

[hibou]

Wow.

No.

This is not only wrong, but disgustingly offensive.

"plus size" does not equal "fat". If you're as well versed in advertising as you claim, you'd know that. "full figured" doesn't even mean "fat" necessarily, but it's often a euphemism.

Thank you for that.

This topic is a can of worms.

[Dennismc]

Plus does not mean fat, you are correct, and I think what Jim was referring to is the fact that a picture can and often does make the model look different. Unless you know exactly what you are doing and how to set up the shot.

SO many plus sized women do not like their picture taken cause to THEM it makes them look fat.

My wife is a prime example of that. She is not a size 2 anymore but also not FAT! Looks great in person but in a picture, (since I dont know how to do it correctly) she feels she looks fat and therefor will not pose for any.

Give Jim a break on that one, watch and read the wording carefully and you will see his point.

As for being a can of worms, YUP and Tough. Life is a can of worms, real life topics are real life topics, not all are rainbows and kittens...

[Algernonep]

Jim may have been a bit blunt with his statement but it is mostly true. Full figured women are overweight (fat). Full figured women (fat) that are comfortable and confident in there size are beautiful women. "Fat" woman are want to be beautiful. They don't understand that you can be beautiful without being skinny. Skinny is sickly and fat is overweight. The word 'fat' just sounds bad.

[Jim Bryant]

you're right....big, tall, plus........must be in sizes over 15 I guess. Still...........most big/plus want to look thin. I have seen some big/plus models who don't care and do look good photographed. Besides......money and money and all accepted in the bank.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by BCampbell

Wow.

No.

This is not only wrong, but disgustingly offensive.

"plus size" does not equal "fat". If you're as well versed in advertising as you claim, you'd know that. "full figured" doesn't even mean "fat" necessarily, but it's often a euphemism.

And it's absolutely not true that they all want to look skinny. There are plenty of women out there who are not a size 4 and under, who love how they look, and who moreover are perfectly healthy and happy individuals.

Score one for the patriarchy, man. Well done.

What are you doing following me around today. Yes, I'm well versed in advertising, it's those PC wieners ad reps who started full figured/ big or whatever slogan they prefer. It's still up to the photographers to deal with the models attidudes. Most I've met are happy with the way they look, hell......money is money.

[windrider86]

Most folks want to do what will make them the most money. Sadly larger size models are not main stream. Society wants thin, fit and sexy. Of course there's that odl saying "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" sadly most beholders want thinner models.

Even when i do portraits of larger women, most will ask if I can make them look thinner. So, it is what is it