Big is beautiful - how to?

wud

wud

Senior Member
I really hope I dont offend anyone with this post, I am just seeking inspiration.

Some women are a little bigger than others. Thats fine. I want to learn a little more about how to photograph these, but when searching, I keep finding these "soft porn" images and this is good - but not what I want to do.

Do anyone know of a photographer who do beautiful images of the bigger ladies, which doesn't involve underwear and feathers??
 
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Sorry but are you complaining you cant find the hardcore stuff :D:D:D,i cant help with the search my wife would never believe why ime doing it
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
A friend told me to position your camera looking down slightly on them and them looking up.

This is her FB page link - https://www.facebook.com/emadiphotography/


When photographing women US sizes 24 and up here are a few tips to remember:
  • First always shoot from above. Get them to stretch up as much as possible. You want to emphasize the natural curves but loose the double chin.
  • Second in all shoots (regardless or size) it’s helpful if you move a little slower, be fun and full of energy but have your clients move into and out of each pose a little slower this way it is easier to capture the moments between poses.
  • Third as you pose your clients go for quality and perfection in each pose rather than quantity. Since there will be less poses that can be done with ease make sure each one counts. In all shoots always try to get the shot perfect before you take it, instead of editing it to perfection after




Taken from Boudoir Photographers Unite.com
 
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
I did have a quick search even used words like the F word no not that one but still no luck,never thought of Scotts plus size description
 
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dramtastic

Senior Member
Back on topic, I guess it depends what sort of vision you have for this particular subject and when you say bigger how big? Usually downunder the only time we see photo shoots using larger ladies are for retail catalogues. Most of the larger retail chains have fashion lines catering for larger ladies, so they will print catalogues to suit from time to time and that includes underware.
If you were going for a the 'usual' WUD style I'd say soft ethereal tones. What I wouldn't do is go heavy on the makeup as it can look clownish on bigger ladies.
Anyway, as Sir Mix a Lot said back in the day....Sir Mix A Lot - Baby Got Back (1992) - YouTube
Maybe some inspiration there :D
 
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wud

wud

Senior Member
dramtastic said:
Back on topic, I guess it depends what sort of vision you have for this particular subject and when you say bigger how big? Usually downunder the only time we see photo shoots using larger ladies are for retail catalogues. Most of the larger retail chains have fashion lines catering for larger ladies, so they will print catalogues to suit from time to time and that includes underware.
If you were going for a the 'usual' WUD style I'd say soft ethereal tones. What I wouldn't do is go heavy on the makeup as it can look clownish on bigger ladies.
Anyway, as Sir Mix a Lot said back in the day....Sir Mix A Lot - Baby Got Back (1992) - YouTube
Maybe some inspiration there :D
Click to expand...

I'm just thinking about the average plus size women - not everybody looks like a model (neither do every small size women). I've seen images which just make the bigger girl look like... well, nothing good, I wanna do it better. I totally agree about not using to much makeup!

I don't have anyone coming up in a larger size but hopefully I'll get some day, and will be able to make them look their best.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
hark

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Jeff Smith has some books that describe posing. No matter whether a photographer is dealing with a thin client or one who is overweight, I highly doubt anyone will want to appear heavier than they really are. What I like about his books is that he explains the benefits to doing certain poses (making the hips appear thinner, etc).

If you are able to use the look inside feature, you might want to take a look at either of these books. The Table of Contents shows how detailed he is by breaking down the body part-by-part describing the poses.

Step-by-Step Posing for Portrait Photography: Simple Lessons for Quick Learning and Reference

Posing for Portrait Photography: A Head-to-Toe Guide for Digital Photographers


 
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nickt

Senior Member
Many full-bodied woman like to refer to themselves as 'Rubenesque'. So maybe search with that term added, it tends to be a 'nice' politically correct word. However, it refers to the style of famous painter Peter Paul Rubens who painted mostly naked large women, so you will get plenty of that stuff too.
 
wud

wud

Senior Member
hark said:
Jeff Smith has some books that describe posing. No matter whether a photographer is dealing with a thin client or one who is overweight, I highly doubt anyone will want to appear heavier than they really are. What I like about his books is that he explains the benefits to doing certain poses (making the hips appear thinner, etc).

If you are able to use the look inside feature, you might want to take a look at either of these books. The Table of Contents shows how detailed he is by breaking down the body part-by-part describing the poses.

Step-by-Step Posing for Portrait Photography: Simple Lessons for Quick Learning and Reference

Posing for Portrait Photography: A Head-to-Toe Guide for Digital Photographers
Click to expand...

A big and bold thank you!


nickt said:
Many full-bodied woman like to refer to themselves as 'Rubenesque'. So maybe search with that term added, it tends to be a 'nice' politically correct word. However, it refers to the style of famous painter Peter Paul Rubens who painted mostly naked large women, so you will get plenty of that stuff too.
Click to expand...

Great info, thanks. Well, we can learn from paintings too :)

​
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
I also think what the client is wearing can be a major factor when the client is full figured. Clothes that are too tight, or don't fit right, will make it harder to take a flattering shot. I've seen beautiful shots of larger women, but often I've seen larger women in stores and on the street wearing clothes that is anything but flattering. I'm not sure how a photographer can approach this subject in efforts to help her look her best, without offending her due to this being such sensitive topic.
 
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