oh heck! some assistance required

[Nickie W]

A friend of mine has heard that I'm getting the new kit, and has asked me to do some nude / boudoir type shots of her. This I have no problem with - especially as she has no expectations of fabulous shots, however, my friend is very much big and beautiful - she's about a size 24, and I know that cameras often add weight to a person.

So, now to my question, she has no problems with her size, she adores her curves and is rather more exhibitionist than some, but i'd at least like her to feel that I've tried to photograph her in the nicest possible way.

I know a little about sensitive lighting (think it was short lighting that makes people look slimmer), and the idea of using mono quite appeals, but in terms of posing her can anyone make some suggestions please?

Saying that though - any suggestions on any aspects of portrait work greatfully received. I have managed some good studio shots a LONG LONG time ago, but think it was more luck than judgement...

hoping for some help... again.

Nickie

[simonpaul64]

I think you are on the right lines to think about lighting (perhaps low key) and mono. However, a lot of your problem is solved because she sounds confident about her body. That will come through in the shots and as long as you both enjoy it, you should be fine.

For sure try to get her lying on her tum from various angles. You can accentuate her boobs and bum (whatever she likes) and camouflage her tum a bit.

Also gothic/burlesque clothes can be fun (and work on a bigger girl IMHO), so perhaps go down that road with clothes/makeup and props.

Sounds like it will be a fun shoot. If she is really that confident can I come too???!!! ;-)

Simon

[Nickie W]

hi simon

i will ask her about possibiltity of someone else being there - but i'm not sure if thats why she's asked me to do it - i.e. because we've known each other since we were at college together (which is a long time ago now) and she feels most confident around me.

She is quite a gothic lass anyhow - so rest assured the basques / velvet and heals were definately on the costume list!

definately going to be fun shoot, she has the most gorgeous long hair and fab personality so i'm quite positive!

[fishes]

HI, there's a specialist boudior section on another forum I use, one trick I've noticed is if the subject is larger, they shoot in tight, so it's rarely a whole body shot, maybe they get up high and shoot head/shoulders/cleavage from above or a crop of the curve of the waist etc. it looks good but I dunno if I agree with totally hiding the size of the model instead of minimising, but a mix might be best.

heres a couple of boudoir shoots I like to give you some ideas,www.pachfur.com, in the gallery there is one of a girl full length on a chaise and its a pose I used with a bride when I was doing her "getting dressed" shots, she was very curvy and it was a good pose for her, and also
http://nellie-photography.blogspot.com/2008/05/were-bringin-curvy-back.html

good luck, hopefully you can share the tamer ones ;)

[simonpaul64]

HI, there's a specialist boudior section on another forum I use, one trick I've noticed is if the subject is larger, they shoot in tight, so it's rarely a whole body shot, maybe they get up high and shoot head/shoulders/cleavage from above or a crop of the curve of the waist etc. it looks good but I dunno if I agree with totally hiding the size of the model instead of minimising, but a mix might be best.

heres a couple of boudoir shoots I like to give you some ideas,www.pachfur.com, in the gallery there is one of a girl full length on a chaise and its a pose I used with a bride when I was doing her "getting dressed" shots, she was very curvy and it was a good pose for her, and also
http://nellie-photography.blogspot.com/2008/05/were-bringin-curvy-back.html

good luck, hopefully you can share the tamer ones ;)

Good tips - the link wrong above - it is www.peachfur.com

[simonpaul64]

hi simon

i will ask her about possibiltity of someone else being there - but i'm not sure if thats why she's asked me to do it - i.e. because we've known each other since we were at college together (which is a long time ago now) and she feels most confident around me.

She is quite a gothic lass anyhow - so rest assured the basques / velvet and heals were definately on the costume list!

definately going to be fun shoot, she has the most gorgeous long hair and fab personality so i'm quite positive!

I was just kidding on the second shooter really. I'm sure she is comfortable with you and probably wouldn't want her session to be a schoolroom!

I see you're in Essex though, so let me know if you need any help!

Simon