Help with wedding this coming weekend (7-10-10)

Hey everyone! I have a wedding coming up this weekend and it has been a while since I have worked with a bigger couple. What are some good posing tips to keep in mind for posing a bigger couple? The bride isn't too big...a few extra pounds but the groom is a pretty big guy. I know the groom personally from the day job so it will be a pretty laid back event. Thanks for your help!

I guess the first thing I have to ask you Mark, is this an issue with the couple? Do they have a problem with their self image or is it something that bothers you? If they are comfortable with who they are, I would say cover the event in the same manner as most other couples.

Now from a technical standpoint I would be careful with WA lenses. Used close up and from the wrong angle they can introduce very unflattering distortion... on just about anybody, no matter their shape. Longer lenses tend to compress perspective a bit, pleasantly arranged profiles can help out a lot too. Much of this has already been covered here:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=892624

I think you'll find some useful, obnoxious and helpful info as well

sapearl wrote in post #10502892
I guess the first thing I have to ask you Mark, is this an issue with the couple? Do they have a problem with their self image or is it something that bothers you? If they are comfortable with who they are, I would say cover the event in the same manner as most other couples.

Now from a technical standpoint I would be careful with WA lenses. Used close up and from the wrong angle they can introduce very unflattering distortion... on just about anybody, no matter their shape. Longer lenses tend to compress perspective a bit, pleasantly arranged profiles can help out a lot too. Much of this has already been covered here:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=892624

I think you'll find some useful, obnoxious and helpful info as well

It is not any issue for anyone. I just want to make sure they end up with the best pictures possible so if there are certain tricks to know then I am all ears. I will check out the link. Thanks!

entrefoto wrote in post #10502971
It is not any issue for anyone. I just want to make sure they end up with the best pictures possible so if there are certain tricks to know then I am all ears. I will check out the link. Thanks!

Sounds good Mark . One of the key things people talk about is angles in the right combination with good lighting, and creative lighting. With careful positioning it's possible throw portions of the body into shadow, or dimmer light values, that may minimize some proportions while drawing the eye to others.

I think the best approach for shooting larger people is NOT stressing to make them look smaller -- but trying to make sure you don't make them look worse. So often, people will try to work magic -- but there's no pose that can make a big person look small. They are big. They know it. Hopefully they are comfortable with it. You just shoot them -- making sure you don't overstate their size in the photos -- but not stressing on making them look smaller.

Still, all the advice in other threads are great. But I think with the frame of mind as stated above, people can execute those pieces of advice with less stress and/or with a more realistic outlook

Bobby

_______________

San Diego Wedding Photographer (blog)
Twitter -- Facebook
the Raddest Photo Trip Ever!!!
Come on the next one Dec 6th-19th 2010!!!!!

bnlearle wrote in post #10503356
I think the best approach for shooting larger people is NOT stressing to make them look smaller -- but trying to make sure you don't make them look worse.

this.

Yeah, me, too. I only do simple things:
- don't shoot up from below and if possible, shot from above down.
- don't have them look straight into the camera; better to have them turn their face slightly away and look back with their eyes.
- Same thing for their bodies; no straight on shots, the should turn their bodies away a little.
- You can use clothes, the veil, their partner's arms, etc, to hide things too.

Peacefield wrote in post #10505393
Yeah, me, too. I only do simple things:
- don't shoot up from below and if possible, shot from above down.
- don't have them look straight into the camera; better to have them turn their face slightly away and look back with their eyes.
- Same thing for their bodies; no straight on shots, the should turn their bodies away a little.
- You can use clothes, the veil, their partner's arms, etc, to hide things too.

Excellent points Robert - I remember this some of this from the prior discussion..... and now I just have to make a point of... remembering . - Stu

The reality, though, is this is really just basic posing. Those same points are useful with people regardless of their girth.

Peacefield wrote in post #10505393
Yeah, me, too. I only do simple things:
- don't shoot up from below and if possible, shot from above down.
- don't have them look straight into the camera; better to have them turn their face slightly away and look back with their eyes.
- Same thing for their bodies; no straight on shots, the should turn their bodies away a little.
- You can use clothes, the veil, their partner's arms, etc, to hide things too.

Very good advice. At the PPA convention in Nashville, one of the speakers showed how he took a heavy bride and "thinned" her out a bit. It had everything to do w/ a higher angle, her looking up to thin her neck out and proper lighting so the fall-off was just below the bust line. It made her look 20 pounds lighter. I have a wedding in Sept of a bride who is plus size. I'll be boning up on this very thing from not to then.

Ironically, I got asked this very question yesterday and blogged it

http://bobbyearle.com …people-for-photographers/

Bobby

_______________

San Diego Wedding Photographer (blog)
Twitter -- Facebook
the Raddest Photo Trip Ever!!!
Come on the next one Dec 6th-19th 2010!!!!!

bnlearle wrote in post #10507728
Ironically, I got asked this very question yesterday and blogged it

http://bobbyearle.com …people-for-photographers/

Bobby

_______________

San Diego Wedding Photographer (blog)
Twitter -- Facebook
the Raddest Photo Trip Ever!!!
Come on the next one Dec 6th-19th 2010!!!!!

Great blog article! You're photos are awesome as well!

Good advice from everyone! Thanks a lot!

bnlearle wrote in post #10507728
Ironically, I got asked this very question yesterday and blogged it

"Just like I know that I have a massively large head"

lol... we share this problem.