philo Loc: philo, ca

I will be doing a portrait of a heavy set woman (300+) and looking for suggestion on posing.
be nice!!!!!!!!!!!

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

First off , the dress she would be wearing should be flattering. You may pose her learning against a tree, tall bush or even walking through a door that is partially open. She could lean over a false prop that looks like a bannister. If she is sitting down it may help. Perhaps you may do well if you control her anxiety. Be professional, courteous and photograph her face first from the head to shoulders. Set your lighting to front and sides. Not overhead. It will create unflattering shadows on the face. There will be shadows below the eyes creating bags, on the cheeks creating jowels and above the neck creating a double chin. A woman's hair is her pride and she wants it to be admired by everyone. Avoid make up that is frosted. It creates flash back and will make her eyes high lined and just awful. Have her look and turn her head to the side to create interest. As in, "what is she looking at?" Do your best to avoid the winkies, blinkies and nods! Remember the number of frames should be no object. Keep pressing the shutter, and you'll get several great shots in all.

Happy Shooting!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

The key for posing is avoid straight on shots. Slight angle shots work best from my experience.

philo Loc: philo, ca

thanks for the suggestions. i will try a tree. this will available light in the shade. I have no control over what she is going to wear. She is not really overjoyed to do the shoot.

Haydon

Dark solid colored clothing, a dark background and shooting a low key image. Turn the body and shoot three quarters of the face. Shadows and light falloff will be your friend. Try to avoid full body shots. Shoot from a higher POV. Short light with Rembrandt will be preferable. Use off camera flash.

I always give clothing suggestions and in many cases have them send images prior through a cellphone. It's up to you to ensure an image is flattering and it's so easy to have a shoot sabotaged by the wrong clothing. Joe Edelman's famous words, no plaids, no patterns, no prints. You're the one in charge directing the shoot. Best of luck.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

make sure she covers her legs!!!!!!!!!!!

Haydon

If you find the information in this thread to be incomplete, I'd suggest you make a posting over at "Professional and Advanced Portraiture". Ed Shapiro always makes a special effort in his posts. We're lucky to have him here. I'm sure he'll chime in quickly.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

If the lady is not into the shoot, in my experience the images will reflect her feelings. However I have been able to get some good shots and change the subjects mind.
Try and make the session fun.
Frank

berchman Loc: South Central PA

Why is she doing the shoot if she doesn't want to? Is someone forcing her?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Turn 45% to you. If it is a portrait you are going to concentrate on the face. DO SO. Also use a 135mm or greater, tends to flatten things out a bit.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

Look for areas that are unflattering once the pose is set. Especially upper arms and legs and ankles.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some links -
https://www.slrlounge.com/how-to-pose-so-you-dont-look-fat-in-photos/
https://mcpactions.com/2014/03/19/10-steps-photographing-posing-curvy-women/
https://www.pinterest.com/clqmanuel2010/poses-overweight/
https://moneymakerphotography.com/photographing-beautiful-portraits-overweight-people/

ELNikkor

I did that once, had her peeking out from behind a tree...

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Is she self conscious? Highlight the head and shoulders, keep everything else dark or better yet, just do head and shoulders. Bring out that beautiful smile and fire in the eyes.