Plus Plus Plus size model

[sldi]

I have to shoot a plus size model Sunday morning, I went thru the search on here looking for advice and found info shooting larger models. My MUA met with her for hair and makeup consult Tuesday then called me, "you have a plus plus plus size model." No disrespect to larger models, (doc says I am 28lbs over myself), but the info I gleaned from the search will be of little use. The model is a XXXXL size and since its a headshot session for a talent agency that wants accurate representation I can't just photoshop away a few hundred pounds.

My course of attack is to:
1. Keep her away from other objects that might indicate size, such as door frames, and other smaller objects.

2. Use oversized accessories to reduce her relative size.

3. Keep her shoulders and arms covered as much as possible.

4. Focus in her most attractive feature (pretty blue eyes) and make sure the makeup / hair are perfect.

Any other help would be most appreciated on this

[brewercm]

Are they wanting you to take the focus off of her weight or is that something that the focus should be on. There are more and more advertisers that are attempting to stear part of the market towards the plus, plus/plus sizes etc.

I understand your question but am curious of the intentions of the shoot.

[PeteQ]

If it is just a head shot it is pretty straightforward. Shoot from a slightly elevated position so that she is looking up at you a bit with short lighting. These alone help to slim almost anyone. I would worry less about accessories and the surroundings (especially since it is a head shot) and shoot tight with a relatively shallow depth of field and that will do a lot for you as well.


@Clifton, I think the intentions of his shoot are to provide a good head shot for his client who needs one for a talent agency. She probably wants something that accurately represents her face and then she can go from there. If my clients come to me with a specific request I try to facilitate that.

[brewercm]

I got ya.
New to a lot of this so was just curious as I'm starting to notice a lot more plus sizes in commercial advertisement. Much of this has been in the underwear lineups even and some look very fine the way they go about doing it. I like seeing someone that is a little more what you see in the public and a natural look rather than some of the anorexic looking models that are pushed out there.

[sldi]

It is more than just the headshot, there needs to be full length poses too. Not needing take away from her size, just wanting to present it in the most favorable way.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Really if you take too much away from her weight and she gets a call out on the photo they may reject her right off as soon as she walks in. Remember this is a Working photo representing what she looks like, if she has false expectations of her chances to enter the industry no need to feed them.

Yes there are more plus size models out there, + size in the industry is a 12-14 not the 0-2 that you see on high end fashion catwalks, but a size 12 is like 5'8" and 140 lbs or so and not the 120-125lbs or less 0-2's.

Really very very few print ads use just head shots.

So I would do as Pete says on the pose and give her headshots, bust+head shots, 3/4 -mid calf up, and then full length shots in at least a couple costume changes.

I wish you good luck.

[dbphotos]

Headshots for a "real" modeling agency should be nothing more than a good snapshot. They don't want fancy lighting techniques and post processing. Keep it simple and honest.

[CaptainTom]

Model shots are used differently than actors headshots but basically the agency will look at a series of headshots and select those that have the general "look" they're after.
Actors and models have auditions and the headshots are then used only to give a visual cue as to the person doing the audition. Very few decisions are ever made from just a headshot.

98% of the headshots I see (we have a brazillion of them) emphasize the eyes nose mouth looking up at the camera with paramount lighting.

Tom
Box Office Manager
Stage West Theater

[dbphotos]

Tom is right. I was reading "model" instead of "talent".