Photographing plus sized people

[Lee123]

I need tips on how to find the best angle for people who are a bigger size, especially someone who doesn't have much of a neckline.

I once did a shoot for an older couple. The day started out terrible when I came down with flu and a high fever. I had to persist and honestly, my own focus wasn't that great at all. But it really seemed a challenge to find their "good side" to photograph.

To make matters worse, their clothing were not complimenting them either. I had given them guidelines and though the color was good the lady wore a shirt with a collar. Not flattering at all for someone whose neck is very "full". It pretty much looked like she was wearing one of her husband's shirts.

So I've learned to include suggestions on the style of clothing but I could still do with advice about what to do in the same situation. I also failed miserably when I tried any kind of romantic pose because they couldn't get their faces close together (someone's tummy was always pushing too much against the others'). They both do not like to be photographed which didn't help matters any more and my best coaxing and compliments couldn't convince the bricks in the wall that this was going well.

I absolutely dread going through this again.

Thanks in advance

[idcrewdawg]

Compose from a level slightly elevated, and have them look at the camera as well as just straight. The elevated position will tend to thin the neck while getting more of the face. For the romantic pose, perhaps just having them look into each others eyes, and think about what they love the most about their partner.

[Benji]

Assuming you have Photoshop here is one way to do it that will solve most of your problems. Photograph each one seperately then combine them in Photoshop. If you don't move the lights the shadows will match and you will not be able to tell. If you think they won't go for this, take several of them together then a number of them seperately and combine the best individual shots together. They will never know.

Use short lighting (shadow on same side of the faces that the camera is) and DON'T let them slump over. Make 'em sit tall and lean slightly forward over the belt buckle. Shoot from a slightly higher camera position and have them project their heads forward slightly (enough to tighten up the turkey neck, but not so much they look strange.) Use a mid-telephoto lens.

Benji

[Jerel]

Great Info. I too had been asking how to pose Plus size women in another forum. One thing I did was went to Flickr and looked at examples of photographers who photographed Plus size women. That has helped me out alot. Take a hour or so and look around in flickr.

[tingeliM]

Well, I myself am a plus size woman and I've done quite a few self-portraits. I've somehow managed to make myself look much skinnier than I think I really am (I think I can see the 'reality' in the photos other people take of me).

It all really depends on the shape of a person's body. For example, I have a nice curvy line when lookin from straight ahead and I accentuate it by posing with hip to the side or legs tight together and hands on my waist (pushing the 'lovehandles' in a bit ).
My thies are pretty heavy and I've noticed that they look skinnier when I stand legs apart.

These pretty exaturated poses might feel funny to make, but in photos they don't look as funny (same with make-up, hair, whatever, even if you have the craziest paint in your face, in photos it doesn't show that much).
I also have a hidious double-chin and I like to hide it by shooting from a higher angle. And as far as angles go, I find that side-profiles are always the biggest no-no.
Then there's the basic advice, suck the tummy in as much as you can and keep a good posture.

Here's a link to my SP-account in Flickr. Hope this helps even a bit.
52 Imaginary Friends and other stories

[geekgirl415]

Originally Posted by tingeliM

Well, I myself am a plus size woman and I've done quite a few self-portraits. I've somehow managed to make myself look much skinnier than I think I really am (I think I can see the 'reality' in the photos other people take of me).

It all really depends on the shape of a person's body. For example, I have a nice curvy line when lookin from straight ahead and I accentuate it by posing with hip to the side or legs tight together and hands on my waist (pushing the 'lovehandles' in a bit ).
My thies are pretty heavy and I've noticed that they look skinnier when I stand legs apart.

These pretty exaturated poses might feel funny to make, but in photos they don't look as funny (same with make-up, hair, whatever, even if you have the craziest paint in your face, in photos it doesn't show that much).
I also have a hidious double-chin and I like to hide it by shooting from a higher angle. And as far as angles go, I find that side-profiles are always the biggest no-no.
Then there's the basic advice, suck the tummy in as much as you can and keep a good posture.

Here's a link to my SP-account in Flickr. Hope this helps even a bit.
52 Imaginary Friends and other stories

I gotta say you're gorgeous! Great shots....

[tingeliM]

Originally Posted by geekgirl415

I gotta say you're gorgeous! Great shots....

a.k.a great illusionist
Thank you.

[wanelad]

What about the use of a make up artist, I am sure they would be full of tips and hints. Model Mayhem has a site where you may find a make up artist just looking for the experience. Worth a shot anyway

[Jim Bryant]

don't use a wide angle lens shooting down on them...makes them troll-like, Jabba the Hut looking. I try to use a lens in the telephoto range.