Speaking at 2012 Convention

[Helen Wallace]

The following is NOT a very good examples of a really flattering poses but this bride was a  'big' girl. If I was doing it again I'd turn a bit more just to disguise the 'fleshy' arm more although the dramatic lighting does draw the eye a bit away from the arm....

ps excuse the poor quality image...

Hi Colin,
I've only just seen this, so sorry for the delayed response. 
I think your post proves a point I made earlier perfectly...... we need to rethink what a "big girl" is.  You have referenced a bride as being big, yet she looks about a size 14 to me. That is NOT a big girl!

THIS is a big girl.........

[Helen Wallace]

Oh I pressed "post" before I was finshed, LOL
I have used these photographs of me at my own wedding, rather than post any of my bigger girls/brides, as it could be seen as derogatory.  They illustrate many of the issues faced by photographers perfectly.  My photographer really didn't have much idea how to pose us/me, truth be told. I didn't do weddings at all at this point and so wouldn't have had the faintest idea how to stand or what to do (most brides are the same). 
I have photographed big girls' weddings, but as I work mainly reportage, I capture a little bit of the essense of them naturally..... they always look beautiful.. but as soon as we start to try something more formal, honestly.... it pretty much goes downhill from there. Like I say my posing lets me down anyway, but I'd love to learn and in particular using a "bigger girl" modelling.