The brides for my next two weddings are beautiful full figured women. Problem is that I have never shot a full figures bride. I know I need to avoid unflattering angles but it's easier said than done in most cases... I don't want to manipulate the images to slim them out cause they both know they are full figured and are confident with there appearance.
Can anyone post some shots of full figured brides to help get me going in the right direction..
I think one of the keys is to ask what is what is the viewer focusing on as they view the image. I would go for more fun images, really aim to show the personality.
1. Make them have fun. They will focus on the emotions they felt while you took the photographs
2. Always shoot them from above or from the side.
3. Use items of people to block parts of there body making them look smaller.
4. Use dramatic lighting to help make them look slimmer.
The dress contributed to the bride looking much thinner in this one (and the following) too, significantly from our prior meetings. A designer who knows how to create something that best flatters a girls figure is worth her/his money.
3/4 view is your best friend Also just as a hint it is a lot easier to have them fix the top of their dress BEFORE you take the shot than to have to liquify in PS AFTER the shot has been taken. Here is one from my last wedding where I had both a full figured bride AND groom...
Use telephoto alot. Find ways to cut them in half, either with another person, a railing, etc. Especially watch the arms, as they are usually wearing a strapless dress. Use the veil, railings, groom's arms, whatever to cut the arms in half.
The best way to cut people in half is lighting. Side light is going to save you. Don't set your off camera light right over your shoulder and front light them because you are going to widen the heck out of them. Instead, look for situations where you can light directly from the side, turn them slightly into the light and let the off-lit side fade into darkness. Works great.
TRReichman wrote:
Use telephoto alot. Find ways to cut them in half, either with another person, a railing, etc. Especially watch the arms, as they are usually wearing a strapless dress. Use the veil, railings, groom's arms, whatever to cut the arms in half.
The best way to cut people in half is lighting. Side light is going to save you. Don't set your off camera light right over your shoulder and front light them because you are going to widen the heck out of them. Instead, look for situations where you can light directly from the side, turn them slightly into the light and let the off-lit side fade into darkness. Works great.
TRReichman wrote:
Use telephoto alot. Find ways to cut them in half, either with another person, a railing, etc. Especially watch the arms, as they are usually wearing a strapless dress. Use the veil, railings, groom's arms, whatever to cut the arms in half.
The best way to cut people in half is lighting. Side light is going to save you. Don't set your off camera light right over your shoulder and front light them because you are going to widen the heck out of them. Instead, look for situations where you can light directly from the side, turn them slightly into the light and let the off-lit side fade into darkness. Works great.
TRReichman wrote:
Use telephoto alot. Find ways to cut them in half, either with another person, a railing, etc. Especially watch the arms, as they are usually wearing a strapless dress. Use the veil, railings, groom's arms, whatever to cut the arms in half.
The best way to cut people in half is lighting. Side light is going to save you. Don't set your off camera light right over your shoulder and front light them because you are going to widen the heck out of them. Instead, look for situations where you can light directly from the side, turn them slightly into the light and let the off-lit side fade into darkness. Works great.
BTW, Bambi Cantrell has a dvd on full figured ladies, she shoots from above, uses shadows to be less revealing of the full figure too. Worth a look if you could get one.
Also just as a hint it is a lot easier to have them fix the top of their dress BEFORE you take the shot than to have to liquify in PS AFTER the shot has been taken. Here is one from my last wedding where I had both a full figured bride AND groom...