Sensuous Sadie

 

Your Fabulous Fetish Photo Shoot Part 4; Tips for the Plus Size & Proud! 


By Sensuous Sadie
SensuousSadie@aol.com
www.sensuoussadie.com


A Four Part Series
1. Choosing an amateur or professional photographer
2. Getting the most out of your shoot
3. Expressing your dominant or submissive side in your photographs
4. Tips for the Plus Size & Proud! (this article)


Are you plus-sized like me? If so, I encourage you to celebrate your body on film. There are millions of skinny models, but only a few of us who share our special beauty in photographs. Your curves can be incredibly sexy if you remember that you can be a hottie at the size you are now. Fetish photographer David Lawrence says, "People of size, people of mid-size, people of no size all have issues about their appearance. That is one of the issues most human beings have. When you know yourself, love yourself, and are willing to allow all to be as it is then magic can happen regardless of physical size. "

What the Professionals Say
In my research for this series I questioned a number of professional photographers and models about techniques they used for plus sized models. To my surprise and my pleasure none of them sent a list of how to look "thinner." Rather, each and every one of them told me that size is irrelevant to producing a sexy photograph. So, instead of merging these into a paragraph I'm simply going to list the quotes so you can read them exactly as they were said to me. I hope that if you haven't had the courage to photograph yourself before now, that these encouragements might give you a push. For those of you with a more literal bent, I've included some more practical tips after this section.


"I love big bodies because I think there's an automatic grandeur that comes with their size. Big women usually have fantastic cleavage, and almost always look great in corsets. Love yourself – or at least project loving yourself. When someone looks confident and comfortable in their body, that's always very hot!"
~ Barbara Nitke, Fetish Photographer, and author of Kiss of Fire

"Three of our photographers have done shoots with women of size this year. The photographer's role is to see the beauty of each body and find the right angles to accent that body. It really doesn't matter if you are skinny or a person of size, because it's the composition that makes the difference."
~ Mistress Heart, Model and Professional Dominant

"If the subject is feeling submissive and acting submissive, that will show through in the photos and that becomes the focus of the photograph more than what size he or she is.
~ Absolute W, Fetish Photographer and DJ for Dominate Radio

"A person who is happy with themselves is always attractive, no matter what their size is."
~ Aleyna, Fetish Photographer


Practical Tips
If you are obsessed with looking thin, you will be disappointed by the pictures no matter how wonderful you look. Mistress Heart adds that, "The model's job is to feel good about their body no matter what size they are. Be open to suggestions on poses, and think of your body as a vehicle for storytelling. I remember seeing models who are really short but look tall in the photos. I have also seen photos of people of size who had great hair and wonderful clothes, and it's been way so hot!" That being said, it doesn't hurt to make the best of what God gave you. Here are some tips that I use to minimize some of the areas I'm sensitive about.

~ Ask your photographer to take your picture from a few feet above you. When I look up my double chinny chin chin almost disappears and my tummy is minimized. One photographer told me that he always stands well above anyone over 30. But keep in mind that this angle doesn't work for everyone. Fetish Photographer David Southwick adds, "There are specific pointers for plus-sized people. A shot taken perpendicular to the body shows it most fairly as it is. Taken from the head downwards accentuates head and breasts and diminishes hips and legs. Taken from a lower position upwards does the opposite. Laying on your back generally diminishes the stomach, and arching does it even more. Reaching upwards whether standing or laying generally lifts the breasts and flattens the stomach. Remember that backs are often neglected and a shot from the back with the head turned toward the camera can be stunning."

~ If you're going to lay down, be sure that you have support for your breasts and tummy. Stacey also suggests, "Take photos of body parts rather than the full body. A breast, held in one's hand, the nipple hard, looks very sexy. That same breast flopped under your armpit while you lay on your back for a full-body shot isn't erotic. Try focusing instead on glistening lips, the curve of the hip, or your hands cuffed behind your back."

~ Corsets can be very flattering. Don't tie them too tight because then you'll spill out the top and look tacky. Absolute W says, "Usually plus-size women have good cleavage. That can be used as an asset. Have the subject look down with their head and up at the camera with their eyes; that can be a very submissive and seductive look."

~ Dress yourself in an outfit that flatters you wonderfully. In contrast to the corset approach, Sarah suggests, "For plus-sized folk, loose, flowy clothing can be very flattering. They can drape themselves in a cool leopard print sheet or zebra stripes or a few colorful scarves and feather boas."

~ Avoid muff or beaver shots, and angles where one part of your body is much closer to the camera. It can make you look positively mulish. Stacey agrees, saying "Spread beaver shots look cheezy, but a glimpse of the cleft with a little moisture is evocative." Avoid any close-ups of genitalia that look like anything you might glimpse in Hustler magazine. Men: please – no close ups of your penis, either soft or hard. This doesn't appeal to a single woman I know. Instead, give us a full body shot that tells us something about who you are as a person.


 Where to See Great Photographs of Plus Sized People
The Rotunda
A fabulous website featuring the beauty of super large and lovely nude women. http://www.rotunda.com/index2.html  
Photos of Plus Sized Models: http://www.rotunda.com/places/shopping/models.html 

BDSM for People of Size
This is a discussion group devoted to people of size in the B-D-S-M community, especially for Big Beautiful Women (BBWs), Big Handsome Men (BHMs) and their admirers. We welcome discussion and announcements about any issues having to do with being a larger person in the leather community, particularly size-positive articles, websites, and resources that are available at no cost. This group is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning (GLBTQ) friendly. 
To subscribe send an e-mail to: 
SM_PeopleofSize-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  or visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SM_PeopleofSize/   


 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sensuous Sadie is the author of It's Not About the Whip: Love, Sex, and Spirituality in the BDSM Scene. Read an excerpt at http://www.trafford.com/robots/03-0551.html. She is the founder and leader (1999 - 2001) of Rose & Thorn, Vermont's first BDSM group. Comments, compliments and complaints, as well as requests for reprinting can be addressed to her at SensuousSadie@aol.com or visit her website at www.sensuoussadie.com . Sadie believes the universe is abundant, and that sharing information freely is part of this abundance, so she allows reprints of her writing in most venues.

Copyright 2004 Sadie Sez Publications

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

REFERENCES & SOURCES

Thank you to all the photographers and models who send me suggestions! A special thank you to Dove and Helen Von Mott for many of the photo tips.

Articles of Interest by Sensuous Sadie:
The Fetish Wardrobe, a three part series that includes:
Part 1: Can't I Just Wear My Flannel Shirt? Why Fetish Wear is De Rigeur
Part 2: Developing a Fetish Wardrobe on a Budget
Part 3: Accessorizing for Pain & Pleasure
http://sensuoussadie.com/sadiescolumns/series/fashion.htm 

Protecting your Identity in the BDSM Scene
http://sensuoussadie.com/sadiescolumns/community/protectingprivacy.htm 


Weblinks of Interest:

Guest Photographers on Sadie's Website featuring many of the photographers quoted here
http://sensuoussadie.com/guestphotographerslist.htm 

Resources & Photographs for People of Size
http://sensuoussadie.com/resources/bbwresources.htm 

The Rotunda
A fabulous website featuring the beauty of super large and lovely nude women. http://www.rotunda.com/index2.html 
 
Photos of Plus Sized Models: http://www.rotunda.com/places/shopping/models.html 

BDSM for People of Size
This is a discussion group devoted to people of size in the B-D-S-M community, especially for Big Beautiful Women (BBWs), Big Handsome Men (BHMs) and their admirers. We welcome discussion and announcements about any issues having to do with being a larger person in the leather community, particularly size-positive articles, websites, and resources that are available at no cost. This group is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning (GLBTQ) friendly. 
To subscribe send an e-mail to: 
SM_PeopleofSize-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  or visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SM_PeopleofSize/   


Photographers & Models Quoted Here with Permission (alphabetical by first name)

AbsoluteW, Fetish Photographer & DJ for Dominate Radio
admin@bdsmrealities.com
WebMaster and Owner of:
http://bdsm-news.org/ 
http://bdsmrealities.com/ 
http://mistresswebdesign.com/ 
http://pro-district.com/ 
http://mzlisa.com/ 
http://mzlisas-domina-guide.com/ 
DJ for Dominate Radio... http://www.dominateradio.com/ 

Aleyna, Fetish Photographer
joie@photosbyjoie.com 
http://www.innersecretsphotography.com/ 

Barbara Nitke, Photographer & Activist
Author of Kiss of Fire, available on www.amazon.com 
barbara@barbaranitke.com 
www.barbaranitke.com 

David Lawrence, Fetish Photographer & Shibari Bondage Specialist
http://www.shibariartphotography.com/ 
davidlawrence@shibariartphotography.com
 
David Southwick, Fetish Photographer
Poetic Photography
poeticphoto@earthlink.net    
http://www.poeticphotographyvt.com/  

Dove, Retired Model & Editor of ST BDSM
DOVE@sbcglobal.net 
http://www.slavedove.com/ 
http://www.ST-BDSM.com 

Ms. Heart of San Francisco, Professional Model, Domme and Community Activist
msheartsf@att.net
http://www.mistressheartsf.com  
http://www.mistressheartsf.com/WOC.html  

Helen von Mott, Model & Founder of Virago Wrestling
 vonmott@gmail.com 
www.dangergirlz.net 
www.viragowrestling.com 

Merlot, Fetish Photographer
Scargasm@aol.com 

Persiphone Hellecat (Persi)
nursiepersi@persiphonehellecat.com 
www.medicaldeviatesr.us  

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sensuous Sadie is the author of It's Not About the Whip: Love, Sex, and Spirituality in the BDSM Scene. Read an excerpt at http://www.trafford.com/robots/03-0551.html . She is the founder and leader (1999 - 2001) of Rose & Thorn, Vermont's first BDSM group. Comments, compliments and complaints, as well as requests for reprinting can be addressed to her at SensuousSadie@aol.com or visit her website at www.sensuoussadie.com . Sadie believes the universe is abundant, and that sharing information freely is part of this abundance, so she allows reprints of her writing in most venues.

Copyright 2004 Sadie Sez Publications