georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

I'm sure many of our members have had this challenge of how to position specific people in group shots.
I've been asked to shoot pictures at the funeral for my sons partners mother. My sons partner is extremely heavy (appx 310 lbs and 5'6"). This lady always stands in front centre of pictures and it becomes the first person you see. I have tried folding her into group shots before but she either sulks and hides in the picture of just walks away. Diplomacy is used but it always fails. This time it's her mother and they want pictures of the piper, a few vets that will come along, and with her family of brothers and their families. Expectations are high for a good set of pictures at the grave site. I've gone through all the jokes and ideas given by other so I though our group may have some ideas.
Thanks.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

All you can do is take them as they are.

As an American Legion photographer, at military funerals I tend to take candid shots from a strategic position just outside of the center of attention. I feel that a funeral is a sacred ceremony and I don't like to draw attention to myself.

If staged group shots are requested afterward, I tend to lead people to a place where I can take wide shots using trees as a back drop and keep about 30% of them in the picture so the people are part of the scene. I let the recipient of the photo decide if they want to edit and crop it differently.

cmc65

I think you may have already answered your own question "this time it's her mother". Let her choose where she wants to stand..then work around it. Obviously it's important to her that she is prominent in the picture and in this case it's important that she be seen with all these other guests for the memory value.If you have the time beforehand I would spend even 15 minutes in a consultation on what her expectations are for the pictures. Family is always more difficult.

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

Put her on a diet.

Really, 310 lbs and 5'6"? And she wants to be in the picture? Sounds like a joke.

Sorry I know you are serious but I have to chuckle. Sorry again. OK one more sorry.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

At the very least ask her to turn to the camera at a bit of an angle and bend a knee. Good luck.

AKPanda

ok, this may not be helpful in a phtography kind of way, but might help anyway. This woman already knows she's large, and is apparently ok with it. Why are you so uncomfortable with it? If you can embrace who she is, as she is, your photos will reflect that. I understand the desire to produce "the best image possible" but your idea of what is the best may not match her expectations. She's large, everyone knows it, you're not going to change that. Balance what you can, have her turn slightly, whatever you think will produce a better image, but first start with accepting the subjects in your filed of view as they are. If you were painting a room for a friend and hated the color they chose, what would you do? paint it a different color or accept their choice and move on?

cmc65

Well said.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

You can get some posing ideas by google'ing "Pose heavy people" or something similar. If she's willing to help by posing, the first two things I'd do with her is to have her put her face slightly forward and chin down (no exaggeration - just slight) and then turn so she's facing the camera at about 3/4 full-front rather than straight on.

You might even print out (or show on an iPad) examples like this and ask her to pose that way.

Disclaimer - sample shot is from www.lenaleephotography.com , and I use this to help pose women in single and group shots.

Kingmapix Loc: Mesa, Arizona

One way is to only shoot head and shoulder shots.

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

I agree that head and shoulder shots are easier. OP is asking about group shots, though, which can be more challenging.

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

WOW...you sure made a lot of assumptions. The lady involved is not "ok" with her weight and usually avoids a camera. According to her family, the people that asked me to do the pictures and explained the situation, she seems to take a prominent position in a photo shoot just to make others not want to take pictures. I'm am not "uncomfortable with it" and don't know why you would say that. It's a challenge like any other photographer would have.
I turned to the Forum to get advice from other photographers on their experience in various positions in group shoots that may compliment this woman who will be in the picture. I'm sure she is disappointed in pictures she has seen of herself and for that reason just doesn't want to be in pictures. Since it is a sad occasion and the fact that I was able to take a picture two years ago with her in it and was successful in positioning her to everyone's satisfaction including this lady, I was asked again to take the pictures.
I have checked the Webb and various sites for ideas, but I was asking the Forum for their feedback on a technical basis.

AKPanda

George, you're right I did make some assumptions and I do apologize. I guess what I read by your description of her always standing in the front and sulking/ slinking away when folded into the crowd lead me to believe she was ok and you were asking for help in how to make her look better / be more acceptable. We are all influenced by our own experiences. I AM a large sized person who is perfectly fine with my person and have had many negative experiences with others being uncomfortable with my personal acceptance.
I sincerely apologize if I've offended, that was never my intent.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

My approach in situations like this may not be the most popular, but I've always believed it best to 'show it like it is'. I would not 'pose' anyone in this situation... just tell the story.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Definetly use a bladed stance and in group photo use a right to left, short to tall composition. Seated tall people in front and shorter spouses/girlfriends standing behind, if you have chairs/benches.

DVJ

There is a temptation to make a joke about this, but you obviously know better than that.