Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

From an engagement snap I did yesterday.

How to compose when your dealing with a couple when one or both are plus size. Use the guy to hide areas of the girl. You can not notice her build or heavier areas of her arms. This pose is very flattering to the bride to be. You can not tell the weight of the groom. Both are in their mid 50's, my guess is this will be a picture that they will print, frame and place on their work desk or by their bed. I don't pretend to know everything but what I do know I'll happily pass.

PLus size couple, haven't worked on this snap yet, just here to show you their plus sizes

superpijak Loc: Middle TN

Great suggestion BeerCat

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Thanks

Another from yesterday ........... like this one and again the bride's 'blemishes' are hidden

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Nice job. Your image accomplished exactly what you set out to do. It can sometimes be a delicate exercise in posing without calling attention to why you are posing that way. It takes a great ability to connect with people. Nice job BC.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Thanks Jay ............... here is another, just finished the PP

Cattreasure

You did a beautiful job!!!! When my youngest son got married several years ago, the photographer posed a plus size family member is a way to make her look twice her size. The pictures had her crying because she did not realize that she was that big. Problem was, she wasn't near the size she looked in the photos. I took her to a book store, found a book on posing, and showed her how posing can make you look huge. Needless to say, the photographer sold very few photos.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Very nice posing and lighting. It is stuff like this that will always set us apart.
I still have to tell you that it breaks my heart that you hand them a disk to "hope they print" it.

It isn't the money. Often times, disks get put in a drawer or lost, or a hard drive crashes. "Normals" as I like to call them (non photographers) don't understand the "back up your back ups, then back them up again" system. I always try (even if you don't want to mark them up much) to make sure they get prints. You've done all the hard work, sending them to a printer is easy, but at least you know they will have a permanent version of their portrait. Even if it is small, get it on paper!

That is really pretty close to the reason I give when in a sales session. I let them know that they will get a digital version of any print they buy, so they (always to their benefit) don't have to go to the "trouble" of finding a good printer, and (see reason's above), finally, they still get digital images to share on FB, or even print small for invitations or thank you cards. I give them files saved "low" quality, so they can print up to 4x6 with no visible artifacts. They still look great on a monitor or cell phone.

You know me, I'm not all preachy, but I really do feel that when doing portrait work, even more so than weddings, we owe it to the clients to give them something they can touch (and taste? yuck!!!) and keep permanently.

Shoot, these are good enough, I'd almost buy one for my wall, and I never even met the couple (HA)

I do have some low pressure, but very doable sales techniques that really help push them in the right direction, if you are interested.

Sorry for going off on a tangent. You are just so talented, I can really see where you could start making some good money if you took the business model in a little different way.
bk

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Bob,

I do place the photos on a gallery and they can download any size file they wish, that gallery is up for a year. I will soon be upgrading my smugmug account so they can order all sorts of hard copies, canvas, metal .......... I will be able to price the stuff myself and of course glean 80% of the proceeds.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

That's great. I really do just try to beat the drum that until a paper (or canvas, or metal) print is in someone's hand, it's still just a bunch of 1's and 0's.

Your work deserves to be hung on the wall for everyone to see and admire. Not just blowing smoke, it is a shame that in reality, some may never get printed.

bk

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Bob, I like your thinking. I think that people would still buy prints if they were easily available as an option from their photographer. Unfortunately, I am suffering from analysis paralysis. I am not sure if I should buy a pro printer like one of those high end Epsons, DP printer like yours so I could take it to events, or hook up with a lab they can order with on-line. I am uncomfortable with that later one because I don't get to see the final product before it ships. Have you seen the cool stuff being printed on glass? Albums/photo books! that is the way to go (maybe) and I am about to order a senior book from Graphistudio. The only problem there is that they are very high quality and more expensive than the Shutterfly stuff people can get with coupons for 1/3 of the price. I am rambling, but like I said analysis paralysis. This is also changing topics in BCs thread. My apologies.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

You must do a few pictures that shows the rest of them or someone might thing your intentionally cropping to not show their plus sizes. Here are a few. One done with their bodies turned the other where I slimmed them down a bit withe the help of PS liquid :)

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

More really nice examples. Always good to give as much help with posing (and a little PS magic, as long as it isn't detectable... also, VERY good example of that)

When the couple are both big, I still think it is more important to flatter the woman. As a big guy, I can tell you that we are just as uncomfortable with seeing ourselves in photos, but the women are the ultimate ones I want to look good. As being a very happily married "big guy", I can tell you that if my lovely bride picks the photo she looks best in, that's the one we're buying. How I look and feel will be important, but secondary. I'm not complaining, I just think that's how it is. Most of my clients are women, or they are at least the decision makers. If Momma ain't happy, nobody's happy.

This is an excellent thread with great tips. Thanks for sharing Jerry.
bk

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

No problem Bob ..........

I agree, the client to make happy is the bride and mother. The groom is just there

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Good they get used to that early. HA HA.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

IM glad I took the time to read this thread, Great shots and great ideas, I made a few notes for my future shoots.