Photographers, What Are Some Tips For Professional Portrait Photography For Fluffier Subjects?

Please try not to be so concerned with how your image looks and start the process by deciding what you want your image to accomplish. The look of your head shot should be part of your brand. A real estate agent, a trial lawyer and a beautician have very different needs.

HI Natalie!

I know that feeling all too well!! When I'm on the other side of the camera I've never been comfortable being photographed due to my "fluffiness" ( love that term btw, haven't heard it used before! I love the softness it conveys which already speaks a lot about you!!). I have personally found that being comfortable and confident with the person photographing me is very important. If I don't feel comfortable with that photographer, it shows in the final image(s).

From the photographer POV, lighting, choice of lens, the angles you are shot from, wardrobe - these all make a huge difference in flattering ANY body type.

I suggest you do the following:

1. explore photographers to find those that are consistent in their work and display a variety of body types. Reach out to them for more details.

2. if you don't have an outfit you feel great in, go find one. Any other steps that help you feel strong and beautiful are also good ones to take prior.

3. the rest, leave up to the professional that you have chosen :)

On a side note, from reading your profile (and to the "fluffier" comment) "helping" businesses, 2 young children - I see a lot of nurturing and care in your profile. I'd say enhance that with your photographs. I already see you have a beautiful smile and warm personality from the image you are using here on Alignable. These are all things that help other women identify with you and feel like "you get them". Embrace yourself :)

Feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss more!

All the best,

Kristin

Longer lens from an elevated position. The elevated perspective tends to provide a slimming effect as well as a bit of smoothing in the chin & neck area. Clothing style and color is also important.

If you're referring to fluffy 4-legged office mates, treats and a whistle work great for getting their attention.

This might shed some light on how I approach headshot photography. I just wrote this today. I got on a roll, sorry if it's a little lengthy.

There are picture takers, there are photographers and then there are professional headshot shooters.

Anyone can point a camera in your direction, crop to a head and shoulders formate and say, "smile," click the shuttler and call them self a headshot shooter.

A high end headshot is more then taking a smiley picture of you. Good lighting is a must but what's most important is the expression. Do you look authentic, confident and approachable or do you look scared or over eager, which screams, "insecure."

It's the experienced headshot pro that will tell you that big jewelry is a distraction in a quality headshot, so are busy print patterns and wild make-up. A professional headshot shooter will tell you because they don't want anything to distracts from the essence of the image, the face. These are the things a pro photographer will tell you and the photographer that occasionally shoots headshots will not, because they don't know.

When people view your headshot on social media, they make instant evaluations of you. Do you appear trust worthy, do you look believable? There is nothing more important to your personal branding then a quality headshot.

Headshots are the equivalent of a digital hand shake of greeting. Like the origin of the handshake, it was a extend hand to an approaching stranger to show the hand was empty and you were not a threat. The headshot is much the same today.

The human face, with it's 43 different muscles, is capable of expressing thousands of different messages with the slightest twitch of the mouth, a little pressure on the eye brows or slight turn of the head.

What is your headshot saying? What are you communicating? Do you express confidence? Do you appear to be approachable?

A typical portrait basically says to the viewers, "this is what I look like." A property executed headshot is a little more assertive and says, "this is who I am, and I am here to help or serve you.

When it comes to a professional headshot, it's the photographers responsibility to bring these attributes out of people, not the client. This is the main difference between a trained headshot shooter and the general photographer. A headshot specialist, will apply subtle misdirection while shooting to get a reaction. Many times that might bring out a big laugh which is not what I am looking for, it's genuine the little micro smile on the down side of the big laugh that gives me the winning expression. As my headshot, mentor, Peter Hurley say's, "the good photographers are 90% sociologist, 10% photographer."

The most frequent response I get from my clients is how much fun it is during the shoot. When I can convince someone that 90% of whats's shot is thrown away, it frees everyone up to have fun in front of the camera and we usually get great shots.

If you want to increasing your face value, give me a call and lets she what we can come up with for your headshot. I know you will like what we get.

As a follow up - I didn't understand the question was about overweight people.

This is what I do with over weight people. I used to turn all overweight people 45 degrees to the camera. I don't do that anymore. When you do that and turn their head back to the camera, you usually create a fold in the shin out over the collar.

What I do now is turn them square to the camera and drop the front shoulder, the shoulder closest to the camera and then have them extend their forehead and chin towards the camera. This tightens up the skin in the jawline and give you a better picture. But again if you can get a good expression, you create a "lookability" in the image that draws you in, and a persons weight becomes a secondary issue.

Never be straight to the camera. Always angle your body a little bit. Your chin should be down but stick it out a little bit. Arms should be slightly bent and away from your waist line so that you can see your waist line. The closer the camera, the more distorted you will look. So the camera needs to be a little farther away. Where dark, solid color clothing, Allen the same tone if possible. A good photographer will know all of this.

Are you looking for a portrait or a bright, confident marketing headshot? Lighting, of course, is important, but the right pose, the proper wardrobe and most of all the "attitude" is key. You can see from my website that headshot/marketing photography is my specialty and has been for many years.

I've never heard the expressions "fluffier" before... I love it!

Brainstorm some themes for your images. You'll want a photographer that's not worried so much about their image as they must only b interested in getting you an image that attracts the customers that you want.

Think of attire that fits properly. Makeup and hair that presents the look that you want in both venues. Some edits can help with that fluffy look too, so research your photographer and make certain they can or have someone who can post edit for that proper fit.

Locations for the shoot are paramount. You may want to present a look that shows a business and play side of your personality.

A truly good headshot/lifestyle photographer is sought after so they're not easy on the wallet. Research portfolios for the history of working with subjects that align with what your looking for.

Good luck, hope you find more than what your looking for!!!!

Sincerely

J.

Be at an angle to the camera, foreheard slightly forward and chin down a bit.

It's great to be thinking about this, but the previous commenters are right - your main job is to hire a photographer who is in this for you. First look at a number of peoples' portfolios. Look for images that are similar to what you want. Photographers have their own styles so your first job is to find someone who already shoots in the style you like.

Talk with a few of your top candidates before hiring to make sure they are comfortable for you to be around. They should be able to make you smile without even trying. They should ask you questions about what kind of presence you have with clients, and who your clients are and what resonates with them. Do you need to appear approachable? Serious? Fun? They should ask you about your work - where do you do your work? How do you dress when you see clients? Are there any industry standards that you would like to / need to abide by?They should be willing to give you advice about what to wear, etc - you just need to ask!

Once you find the right person, they will do their thing and make sure you look your best. They should be willing to give you advice about what to wear, etc - you just need to ask! No need for you to worry! (If they aren't willing to do that you may want to move on to the next photographer)

Good luck!

I think we need to get the client to understand that being fluffy is not a bad thing. There's a stigma in the industry about being super thin. This isn't true. All people are beautiful. I work with the client to see that beautiful side that maybe they don't. Clothing can help, if they feel comfortable in it. Proper angles to flatter the client. Lighting is also very important. I really enjoy head shots. Check my website for examples of my work. Good luck with your project.