I had a great phone conversation today with friend and colleague, Robert Valdes, HD Wedding Videographer, and I shared about my passion and strengths in working with the more abundant bride. I am not here to knock down photographers or videographers about how they approach the larger more lovelier bride, I just want to share on how I approach this situation.
Being a larger woman myself, I have always panicked at the thought of seeing myself in photographs, not to mention video, after all, the camera does add a few pounds and inches. And to make things worse, depending on the angle of the camera, the posing and the lighting, the larger bride can be devastated the day she’s presented with her wedding photos. A day that should be filled with beauty, radiant smiles, laughter, tears of joy, can end in a flash the moment she sees herself in an alarming and unflattering manner. Remember…it is up to us as your photographers to see the beauty and create it so we can capture it! Even the thin brides needs to be analyzed before being photographed, so for the BBW’s we MUST take our time.
Think of it this way, a little girl starts planning her wedding early on, playing with her Barbies is where it all begins, she becomes ONE with that barbie doll, she dresses her and then introduces her to Ken and VOILA! It’s time for a wedding! So, you see, not only do I approach photographing her as if I were photographing myself, I approach her wedding day with the tender loving care and memories of her childhood. The day is finally here, and you better believe it, I am going to bust my butt to get her the images to match that lifelong childhood wish and dream!
If one cannot see the beauty in each of their clients, how well will those images tell the story of their lifelong dream? If you want to make an impact when photographing BBW’s or your larger male clients, meet with them talk to them about their camera concerns if they have any. If they do not mention it, don’t just walk away with a signed contract and do nothing! DO MORE! Work harder to position your subjects in flattering light, angles and positions. After all, they are hiring you because they LOVE your work, show them some LOVE and don’t just point and shoot. Pay attention to the dress, the arms, the shoulders, the tummy, and make sure if your client has a double chin to do everything you can to camouflage or flatter and diminish. If when meeting with a larger bride, she reveals she is going sleeveless, keep that in mind and plan accordingly, alert your assistants and give them advice of the best angles to capture her or the groom. If this is the case and she has a veil, this may be your saving grace!
I have had many opportunities to work with plus size brides, and I LOVE it! It’s keeps me on my toes, and honestly, it really makes me think that I should have this attitude with ALL of my brides, but in reality, from one big gal to another, she’s going to get just a little more from me! Here are just a few pointers when shooting a BBW.
NEVER photograph a larger bride straight on, think in 45 degrees angles
Pose her slightly behind her groom
Photograph large gals in the “center”, always and have the group lunge forward towards your lens
Pose her arms away from her body to avoid making her look wider
DO photograph your BBW brides from a higher camera vantage point. This is awesome to diminish the chin
NEVER photograph her from behind unless it’s cropped tight and looking over her shoulder slightly turning her body
Window light can be your best friend! Position her at the window and shoot from the shadow side, watch how her body is flattered by sculpting her with shadow
And as my friend Jerry Ghionis says, “shoot her through the eyes of her husband-to-be!”
Sending a huge shout out to all my BBW brides and brides everywhere! Celebrate BIG!
Please feel free to show some love here in our comments section. And if you are interested in learning more about approaching the plus sized beauties with your camera, I am available for one on one mentor sessions or I can answer any of your questions here on the blog.
Barbara Yasuhara is a portrait and wedding photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area, Honolulu, and Miami areas and a contributing author of the Wedding Photographers Resource. Her website can be accessed at http://ystudiophotography.com
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