Photo Shooting A BBW & Plus Size Woman

[Secret-Silhouettes 3385]

Photographing a BBW is not as easy as everyone thinks.Just because you have a camera dosn't mean you know what you are doing.And not just because you have a $3000 camera does not make you a shooting star either.I have come across all types of people,professional photographers and some of them really don't know what they are doing.So figured I would give a few tips on shooting a BBW & Plus Size woman.

You cannot and should not shoot a BBW girl the same way that you shoot a skinny girl or spinner as most us "Cerbians " say (Is That a real word) It will just not work.Many have tried and failed.I have used professional photographers to shoot,And guess what - lol they failed!! Some of them even go as far as saying that they have shot for" so and so" company.But I tried them out and was very disappointed.Wasted my time and money.

Please dn't get me wrong I am not an expert with photography neither am I a photographer.I am just speaking simply based on my experienced over the years.

Spinners have many advantages over BBW Girls in the photography department no one is questioning that.But at the same time BBW Girls have several advantages over Spinners when it comes to being in a photoshoot.

Let me elaborate for you here that a Spinner can stand (full frontal ,back or side) anyway she likes and still do not have to hide or tuck anything in.Thats one reason why spinners can look good in a bikini almost all the time.That same pose cannot allways work for a BBW or Curvy Girl.Lets not fool ourselves thinking it can be done ..because it can't I have tried it myself.

One simple fact that people fail to realize is that BBW ladies come in many shapes and sizes there are many variations within a BBW,Whilst Spinners have fewer variations.

BBW Girls have the main 3 shapes: Pear,Apple and Hour Glass.But within these 3 shapes you have variations of each shape even to point of extremes.There is even such a thing called extreme Peas ,Apples & Hourglasses.In my opinion photographers should not photo shoot these types of BBW ladies the same.There are no rules Im sure of it - just saying it makes it easier if they didn't.Each shape has its own way of photographing,thats if the photographer takes his or her craft serious like they claim.

The single and most important factor in photographing a BBW is the Pose.

I have seen many photographs that "spinner" photographers have shot of BBW ladies and they are just that... Photographs.No love,No Dept,No feeling.Just a simple photograph.As far as I am concerned they could have photographing a glass of water or the Great Wall Of China.When I do come across a photographer from time to time who knows photograph a BBW you se it "in" the photograph.No jokes just plain and simple seriousness,love and devotion.

Another important factor in photographing a BBW and this factor applies to everyone else is to focus on the eyes.The eyes are the window to the soul.So when you have captured the woman's eyes in the photograph everything else will fall into place if you pay attention.This is simply achieved by having her look directly into the eye of the camera (I do own a camera btw its a NIkkon D7000:-).When you feel her looking at you then you can take the picture.Nine times out of Ten you will have a great photograph.Bearing in Mind if you followed the most important factor of all ,the pose.If the pose and eye contact are there you will have an awesome photograph.If not,take the photo again.It does not really matter what the BBW is wearing.Hopefully she is enthusiastic about taking photographs.I'm sure nothing is more annoying than a BBW who dosn't want to take many photographs because it will show in her eyes.Never force a BBW to take too many photographs because you will have the worst pictures ever,thus making you look bad as a photographer...lol and trust me she will get so really aweful photos .

Now that I have pointed out the dos and donts of taking photographs of BBWs lets examine "BBW"

 

Facial Expression

And trust me you have to practice this.Its not easy.So everytime you look at the mirror try several expressions.Its going to be weired at first but believe me it works.Stare at yourself in the mirror and and hype yourself up whilst doing that.Talk to yourself in the mirror ,in your mind not out loud.Its self building and builds confidence.Works for me.I look into the mirror and I say to myself ,mostly out lous that I am awesome.Been doing it for years and said it so much and everyday that I actually feel that I am awesome.

 

The Posing

The best pose are the most uncomfortable.Whatever is good for you in life is always is always the hardest thing to do.Why,I have no clue.In my experience when I say that a certain pose hurts,its usually the best shots.And of course the photographer have to take these shots fast as cause def cant hold it for long.So Ladies remember that beauty is pain.

Chin Tucking

Its when you tuck in your face so a double chin becomes more visible.It makes you look fatter and have no neck.Secret to overcoming this is simple.Everytime that you are being photograph poke your head out and tilt forward or to a side and feel confident to the point of outright dominance.

Background

Leave the background as it should be a background.Do not focus on the picture on the wall If you are trying to shoot certain parts of the BBW.Nothing is more annoying than looking at booty shot and theres your grand parents pictures in there or other stuff.

As I always say Real Woman Are Curvy :-)

[Studio 110 by Sophia 150333]

I have done photography for BBW and agree with all that is said here!

The important thing to remember is that you do not want to " hide the body " but to show it off! Own your body no matter what the shape:)

 

Hair, lighting, props, curves, attitude, colors, accessories are what lie behind a great photo shoot! Work what you have, with out hiding your true beauty!

 

Well done!

[piano8950 32577]

Background

Leave the background as it should be a background.Do not focus on the picture on the wall If you are trying to shoot certain parts of the BBW.Nothing is more annoying than looking at booty shot and theres your grand parents pictures in there or other stuff.

 

If a photographer ever has this pop up in one of his/her pictures, they probably don't know what they're doing.

[Studio 110 by Sophia 150333]

If a photographer ever has this pop up in one of his/her pictures, they probably don't know what they're doing.

 

Yes this is so true. I have had my fair share of "pro" photographers, only to have to check...double check....then have a last look before the pic is actually taken!

 

All along. thinking...why am I doing this? Why is he not seeing this? lol

 

So ya sometimes I have been called a "control freak " on my photo shoots, LMAO!

 

But point being, when dealing with photographer, be your own set manager, display the theme YOU want, the feelings, accessories, etc:)

[Kimberly-Shea 28280]

I fail to see how any of this is BBW specific?

 

I've had all of the same issues and use the same tricks and techniques to get the best shot possible. As do most of the women I know. (BBW, curvy and spinners alike)

 

All women have better angles/positions. Good tips all the same.

 

Kim

[Secret-Silhouettes 3385]

Kimberly there is no way at all that a photographer can shoot a BBW and A spinner the same way - The body is different and in trying to do so the results would be different.As I said in the Original Post I am not a photographer i am merely speaking based on years of doing BBW modeling and any Plus Size woman who have done a few photo shoots would know that posing and body placement including having confidence makes a big difference.

 

I fail to see how any of this is BBW specific?

 

I've had all of the same issues and use the same tricks and techniques to get the best shot possible. As do most of the women I know. (BBW, curvy and spinners alike)

 

All women have better angles/positions. Good tips all the same.

 

Kim