Shooting a heavy set 15 year old girl in her Quincenera Dress

[brian.chmura]

<p>I've been hired to take Quincenera portraits of a somewhat heavy set young lady who will be wearing a poofy light pink dress with sequens at the top and lots of layers of tulle making a huge puffed out skirt. She will also be wearing a plastic tiara. This is common dress for the Quincenera ceremony (sweet 15 party in Mexican culture) and I've been asked to take a portrait, in a nearby park with a lake, bridge etc. of the young lady that can be used as a poster print at the entrance to the hall where the party will be held. <br>

I have very little experience photographing plus size models, and none whatsoever photographing a short and heavy set 15 year old girl in a dress that, my sense is, will only add to the challenge. I know that I am taking pictures of their little girl and that they will see her as beautiful regardless, but I'd really like to give them the best possible portrait of their daughter, not to mention one that the girl herself will like.<br>

Any advice on how to pose, how to use (or not use) fore and background elements to minimize her figure while still showing detail on the very expensive dress her parents have purchased for the occasion. If there are ways to use scultped light to my advantage, I should be able to work in shaded areas, or after the sun goes down allowing flash to predominate as necessary. <br>

The client comes to me as a referral from a client that I've done family and senior portraits for in the past and I am going to have to take the job.<br>

Many thanks in advance to any that can help me get a plan together for the shoot.</p>

[nathan_stiles]

<p>Make sure that her shoulders and hips are square to you-- about 40^ angle should be flattering. If you can use something similar to split lighting, where part of her (part farthes from camera) falls into shadow, it will have a slimming effect-- though maybe to dramatic for such a happy themed shot.</p>

<p>I'd also make sure I had a good diagonal line in my comp. Always good, but it'll break up the image and make your subject look less boxy. Here's an example I found where the dress makes such a line.</p>

<p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_22EXDJCJp3s/SZ2FWj9K4NI/AAAAAAAAALk/2VFDJQS13SY/s400/56439594HOUSEOFGLITZ18200961223PM.jpg">http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_22EXDJCJp3s/SZ2FWj9K4NI/AAAAAAAAALk/2VFDJQS13SY/s400/56439594HOUSEOFGLITZ18200961223PM.jpg</a></p>

 

[williamting]

<p>Dependent on your personal take, you can Photoshop the portrait to reduce the width ~3%.</p>

[brian.chmura]

<p>Thanks. The dress I am working with won't make a diagonal line as it really amounts to just a fluffy hoop skirt...it hangs straitght down in cascading layers of tulle. These will puff out considerably from her waist (it looks like...I've seen pictures of the young lady and pictures of the dress) which may help if I can find a flattering camera angle. <br>

Is it better to separate her from the background (with backlighting) or better to let her blend into the background a bit on one side to make it no so clear where exactly she ends on the side farter from the camera? </p>

[rob_wall]

<p>Try not to shoot her directly in front of any obects with straight lines; that way you can perform liposuction using the liquefy filter in PS.</p>

[gary_watson]

<p>Definitely shoot from a higher than normal angle--step ladder, bench, whatever. Shooting her straight on will only emphasize her size. She can even be sitting on a stool or chair--or even the ground--but do whatever you can to gain a little altitude. It might help to slim her while showing off the dress. Try it.</p>

[rob_c3]

<p>Liposuction on photos... i like that.</p>

[randy_garrett]

<p> Did one just like that a while back, Took the shots on the grounds of UOP in Stockton California.. Normally they will wear a very full dress, I sat her on the ground under a large oak and spread the dress out on the grass in front of her in a fan style and took the shots from above her at about 30 degrees. try it with someone before you do the shoot and you'll be surprised of the results. Get her to look up a little, it'll strech her neck and look thinner. By looking down on her, her larger upper torso will hide the lower... something else to concider.. when shooting one of these, there are triditions that follow durring the evening dance as the first dance with her dad when he turns her over to her escort.. you might want to read up on the customs of the event, and remember, her mother is ALWAYS the boss, ask her often if she wants shots of a part of the event.. Another note.. Its not often that all the family gets together for something like this and they do get decked out to the hilt.. theres always oppertunity to capture family members in the event for more sales..</p>

[cole_bennett1]

<p>Gary and Randy both stated my best piece of advice - to shoot from above, and have her look up at you.</p>

<p>I've done some minor tweaks with the liquify filter, in photoshop. I would be hesitant to suggest it as a real solution to photographing a large person, unless you're familiar with it, in which case I don't have to mention it : )</p>

<p>I'm interested in seeing the final shots, if you have the chance.</p>

[mrstubbs]

<p>Is there a swing in the park?<br>

Having her swinging away and looking back over her shoulder at camera may give the loftier view from camera and a perspective suitable as a happy fifteen. Flushed cheeks, movement, the warm dress against the cool blue of the sky.</p>