photographing medically obese people

[winterstar]

What are some good tips for photographing someone that is obese? How can you minimize the girth, especially if they are being photographed with others, such as their child? Or a skinny spouse?

If you have examples, I'd surely appreciate it!

Thank you.

[Benji]

There are a number of ways to minimize the obese subject.

1. A 45 degree turn of their torso will slenderize them.
2. Short lighting will make them appear more slender.
3. Use head shots or head and shoulders shots that leave the tummy out of the image.
4. In a group shot hide any and all overweight woman behind someone else like her husband or her children.
5 Seated poses tend to add bulk whereas standing poses allow that bulk to more equally distribute itself.
6. NO SHORT SLEEVED CLOTHING EVER.
7. NEVER allow your subject to slump over (even if they are thin!)
8. Some slenderizing can be done in Photoshop and if done judiciously cannot be detected by the subject.

Benji