Speaking at 2012 Convention

[David Simm]

Yes I hear that tale all too often, now as it happens in the seventies I worked a lot with Edna Ellison, who built "Creation" a bridal gown boutique in Wigan. The Ellisons built their reputation by making one of a kind gowns in house and above all have very empathetic designers, who Edna had taught during her tenure as the fashion design teacher at the college.

I realize that Wigan is a bit off the beaten track for a gal in Somerset or Essex, but a quick google should turn up a couple of others nearer home, or perhaps these days Creation do supply other boutiques.

It's not so much the fitting that I find to be the problem it's the styling, a bare midriff revealing, now how can I say this politely,a body in  desperate need of liposuction, or just still a strapless top that emphasizes the surplus lard on arms and elbows, that could have been skillfully disguised with the judicious use of tulle/lace or other similar very feminine fabric. Ultra modern fashion sadly only takes into account the anorexic and when healthier gals want to emulate that, it inevitably backfires.

That doesn't mean that I couldn't make great portraits of them, but it does mean that in the out of control environment of candid capture, I'd have to look for areas to partially and creatively black the view or pull the eye away from the obvious.

[David Simm]

PS A simple bolero, of the same material and style could turn the horror of a strapless gown into a very attractive ensemble.

[Tim Hoy]

PS A simple bolero, of the same material and style could turn the horror of a strapless gown into a very attractive ensemble.

... and I've seen him wearing it.  I couldn't agree more.  You looked lovely Governor.

[David Simm]

 

[Helen Wallace]

PS A simple bolero, of the same material and style could turn the horror of a strapless gown into a very attractive ensemble.

... and I've seen him wearing it.  I couldn't agree more.  You looked lovely Governor.

LMAO!!! 

[TURTLEC]

I think an actual workshop on this topic would be useful to many because indeed
the techniques for the 'larger' person will also easily transfer to the average build.

What I find is that when you get a big bride who knows she is big and fully accepts her size/shape etc there is no problem. Its when you get someone who is a certain size but for some crazy reason wante to be two sized smaller and tries to fit into a dress that is also far too small etc..(I fully accept the issues with actually getting a suitable dress).
Or one who sees that lovely dress worn by some 5ft10 super model and thinks that that same dress will lok as good on her even though she is 5ft4 and 'more rounded'...

There are hundreds of articles on posing larger people for flattering results available
which provide useful reference, though obviously you cant beat an actual physical workshop.

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...

[SusanRenee]

NOT speaking at the 2012 Convention, and already feel like I'm missing Xmas

 

[Christina Lauder]

Are you sure you want to miss out Susan? 

[SusanRenee]

I don't think I have anything that would be worthwhile sharing a third time   Not sure whether to come along and enjoy a weekend off, or to try to get into the big Wedding Fair in Aberdeen which is held the same weekend.

I know that if I don't come to London, I'll have to avoid the forum for a while due to pure jealousy!!

[TURTLEC]

Go on you know you REALLY want to come to London...

I can think of at least 2 or 3 talks YOU could easily give that would be
very good and useful to any number of people....

And you'd not enjoy the Wedding Fair in Aberdeen anyway as 'green' (with envy)
is NOT a good look, also the fact that you'd really want to be 400 miles south
would definately make you not enjoy the fair.

My problem is now that I've been to London I really want to be back EVERY year and
just need to work out how to afford it!!!!

[Robert Lino]

Hi everyone,  I just read these posts on a plus size posing seminar, it has been suggested many times and I have used plus size models in some classes, the main problem is finding the model secure enough to come up and be openly directed taking in consideration her body size.  The concept is simple, in posing any body type we "emphasize" and "disguise", , we accentuate those complimentary features and camouflage the not so flattery body lines with lighting or blocking using props.  If there is enough interest I will be glad to summit a proposal for such class.

[Christina Lauder]

Susan, yes you would be very jealous if you couldn't be there.  I remember the first year I met you you made the last minute decision to room share just so you could come down for a few nights.  Think of it as your annual kick off meeting.  Its just what you need that time of year to prepare and motivate yourself for the new year ahead.  Besides, its always good for a little retail therapy as well.  You could also use it as a goal for yourself and try to win an award or merit in the 20x16.  Well I, among many others I am sure, really want to see you there. 

And Robert, surely there are model agencies with plus size models on their books.  If that is the case I can't see a plus size model objecting to being posed as she would need to be for such a class.  She would always be hired for her size.  We don't want to make fun of her but learn the best ways to pose someone like her so that we can be flattering to that size person.  Plus sized women aren't delusional and if they've signed up to be a model I don't think they are ashamed of it either.  So if you think it is something you can do I say go for it.  I'd be interested in seeing this too, for me not from a wedding perspective but I could use this skill for my portraits. 

[TURTLEC]

Couldn't agree more Christine ...I am now at the stage where I think I really NEED to factor in those few days EVERY year. It is some of the best training you can get , you get a huge variety of classes and best of all you get to meet up with some world class professionals and some friends who are willing to have a chat over a coffee or wee glass .

Its good to just get away for a few days and get inspired.....although I admit that I sometimes
feltl a bit depressed because some of the work shown is just so very good it makes me feel
inadequate and that I have so far yet to go...

I also agree that there must be some agencies out there with 'big' models on their books .

[Benny Rytter]

I did a masterclass this year with the topic of general selling/communication with costumers, had the classrum half aprox full both times, and got very nice feedback from the attendants (don't know if they were just polite). I realized that had not been promoting the subject class enough whereas it was not totally clear for the attendants what they were about to listen to.

If there was an interst for a class in enhanced selling skills next year i would of course rip out that week in the calender and share my knowledge.

I also attended some classes around the subject Video - Personally i felt that this subject in relation SWPP members is new but extremely relevant, whereas the posibillities to develop new products, for the photographers to sell is huge. However the concept of showing videos or the gear, has not alot to do with giving people a better understanding of fim production.

I personally enjoyed Rob Summers business approach, which I have now copied and already got 3 clients for promo videos / lecturering DVD - but then again, I admit to myself I am a sales person. I did the sales without having a showcase.

To back me up I got Janni, she is actually the one who is gonna make this work in reality. We are gonna benefit from her 12 year in broadcast, dealing with the issue of  "24 photos a second".

How would people like a class in filmproduction?

The class would cover a more hardcore tecnical/productional approach, how do a stills photographer actually learn how to frame film, move camera, cut outs, selecting scenes, does and dont's....the basics of filmmaking, with basic equipment.

[Tom Carroll]

  So if you think it is something you can do I say go for it.  I'd be interested in seeing this too, for me not from a wedding perspective but I could use this skill for my portraits. 

I too would be interested from a purely portraiture point of view.