help, please...

photofreak

I'm not sure this is the right place to post this question...forgive me, if not.
I have a photo shoot next week and was told by the mother her daughter has some reservations about her photo being taken, as she is a little heavy. I'm wondering if anyone knows of any posing techniques for heavier subjects. I want to be very sensitive to this young woman's concerns so, any help would be greatly appreciated.
I'm off to cover the Relay for Life in Denver (it's an all nighter (gulp) so, wish me luck there. I'll not be able to check back until tomorrow or even Monday.
Thank you, to all in advance for reading and responding. I so appreciate everyone here and all the help you wonderful people are willing to give to us newbies!!!
Mandi
www.mandraleephotography.com

Andy

photofreak wrote:

I'm not sure this is the right place to post this question...forgive me, if not.
I have a photo shoot next week and was told by the mother her daughter has some reservations about her photo being taken, as she is a little heavy. I'm wondering if anyone knows of any posing techniques for heavier subjects. I want to be very sensitive to this young woman's concerns so, any help would be greatly appreciated.
I'm off to cover the Relay for Life in Denver (it's an all nighter (gulp) so, wish me luck there. I'll not be able to check back until tomorrow or even Monday.
Thank you, to all in advance for reading and responding. I so appreciate everyone here and all the help you wonderful people are willing to give to us newbies!!!
Mandi
www.mandraleephotography.com

Try shooting higher than your subject in cases like this, and have the head more angled than the body to you. And the subject should be looking upwards at you. That's the most flattering angle. Try tight crops, too, mix it up. Oh and be SURE to use a long focal length, at least 85mm.

photofreak

Andy wrote:

Try shooting higher than your subject in cases like this, and have the head more angled than the body to you. And the subject should be looking upwards at you. That's the most flattering angle. Try tight crops, too, mix it up. Oh and be SURE to use a long focal length, at least 85mm.

Thank you, Andy! Sorry, I posted in the wrong thread.
So, I should take a small step ladder...this would probably work...
appreciate the quick response!!! You rock, as usual!
Mandi

AntoineD

photofreak wrote:

Thank you, Andy! Sorry, I posted in the wrong thread.
So, I should take a small step ladder...this would probably work...
appreciate the quick response!!! You rock, as usual!
Mandi

You may also have a nice chat with the young girl before the shooting, it can help create a nice yet effective relationship.

I've made my best portraits after a cup of tea

ssdsarah

OK, so I am a little late to properly respond to this thread but I thought as a "fat chick", I might be able to give my few suggestions...

1. If you are taking a group shot, try not to put the big girl front and center. I hate it when someone takes a shot of my family and puts me F&C. This makes me look even bigger...

Notice how this shot makes me look even bigger even though I am not center. I am still in the front and whatever is in the front looks bigger. If Rachel was in the front (the little girl), she wouldn't look any "bigger" because you can tell by looking she isn't fat...

See how Rachel still doesn't look bigger but I look a little smaller since I am in the back??

2. In a portrait type shot, I would try to get the person telling you a story about something and shoot pictures of them telling you about something that makes their eyes light up. Bright eyes will pull the attention of anyone looking at the shot and they won't notice the largeness of the subject.

See how my mom's whole face is lit up and how at the end of the day you don't even notice that she is overweight?

3. Also for portraits, Anything where you can get a hand or something under the chin that looks natural will make a larger person look smaller as you won't be able to see chins if there are more than one...

Notice how in this shot, the feather boa is concealing all hints of extra chins. You can probably tell I am a big girl but you don't know how big, and you are underestimating because of the lack of flab and chins in the picture.

4. In pairs or group shots, try to get the faces as close together as possible so the bodies don't have to be shown...

There are actually two big girls in this shot but because our faces are so close together, you can't really tell as much... And also, Rachel (the smallest) is in the front and Rachel's neck is doing chins camoflauge for me so that we have used more than one of the "principles" in this shot...

I guess that is a pretty good start for now, lol...
Cheers!
~Sarah~

Andy

ssdsarah wrote:

Cheers!
~Sarah~

way good advice thanks for taking the time to make such a great post!

ssdsarah

Thanks Andy!

*runs off feeling so helpful*

Cheers!
~Sarah~

AntoineD

My first wedding was about a fat bride !
It's been much a challenge not to make her look fat. Well, she was being so nice that she would always appear 'okay' on the picture.

This is, I totally agree with your advices, sarah: thanks

rosselliot

well, I know straight on shots look the worse (if they're wide cross-ways) so usually a slight turn. never a head-on. like have them turn their torso and point their head at you (for the most part, maybe a tad tilt or angle away from the camera).

I think you should try to make them as comfortable as possible, because nothings worse in a picture than an overweight uncomfortable and nervous person (it shows in the pictures!). make them look jolly and happy - tell jokes, make sure they're comfortable around you. if they're happy, smiling, and all that jazz, the pictures couldn't turn out better know matter what angle you took them at!

well, either way - I haven't really had any photo shoots with overweight people, but I'm a little overweight myself, and I know that I'm always more satisfied with picture where I'm laughing and I look really happy like I just finished telling a joke....cause I crack myself up on jokes I've told a hundred times; my friends wouldn't disagree, let me assure you. I mean, I'm trying to lose weight, but you gotta be happy with who you are right at that moment- you only have one body, so might as well be happy with it all the time. and if the picture looks like the person is happy and pleased, their weight won't be the first noticeable thing.

well, I'm sorry...I just kept typing. lol. I tend to do that too. I'm a talker...

well, um...good luck!!!!!!

- RE

wxwax

Sarah, nice job! Terrific advice, well illustrated.

photofreak

Sarah, you were not late in responding at all. I posted that far enough in advance to ensure several responses. THANK YOU so very much for taking the time to respond and to do it so detailed. Your reply has helped me immensely!!! The photo shoot is this afternoon...I will have your info in my head! Again, thank you, for taking the time to give me your point of view on this. You are appreciated!!!

Antoine, One of the things I do with Senior Portraits is to meet them at their home and then we go together to the location. This way we have time to chat and I can get a glimpse of who they are...somewhat. Good suggestion! Thank you, for taking the time to reply.

Ross,
You crack me up! One of my attributes, I'm told, is my humor. I use this alot during photo shoots. I find it helps in making the subject feel more comfortable and less intimidated by my camera. And, especially if someone is self concsious about their weight.
So...I will take a small step ladder, my sense of humor and the information you all have been so kind to share with me. Big Kudos to you fellow d-grinners!! Thank you so very much!!!! I'll be anxious to share with you the photos IF she chooses an unlocked gallery.
Mandi

AntoineD

So we all agree: everything's about attitude

ssdsarah

I am glad to hear that you will be able to use my suggestions for your shoot! I am sure it will turn out great!!

Cheers!
~Sarah~

JBurt

ssdsarah wrote:

Thanks Andy!

*runs off feeling so helpful*

Cheers!
~Sarah~

I too want to thank you for your advice and samples. I was recently asked to do a wedding where the bride and her family are all large. Fortunately, it is not til March so I can play with adjusting setups. You've given me some additional ideas which is always welcome.

ESiggins

More Than Jolly

make them look jolly and happy

Ross,

I'm sure you didn't mean any offense, and I totally agree that you have to make a protrait subject comfortable, but I worry about the stereotype of the jolly, heavy person. I know that in most portrait situations people smiling and having a good time is great, but sometimes it's not appropriate. In most of my best portraits, the subjects are not smiling. I once shot an overweight poet who writes dark, brooding poetry - it would've been rediculous to have her laughing in the shot. But by zooming way in on her eyes (one of Sarah's good suggestions) I was able to convey her emotional character without emphasising her weight. My point is, heavy people deserve to look good in photos, even if they're not feeling 'jolly'.