Many photographers just getting started in boudoir photography ask me “how do you approach photographing plus-sized women?” My answer couldn’t be simpler: I approach each subject the exact same way, whether petite or plus-sized, male or female, child or adult. First and foremost, I focus on bringing out my subject’s personality, her love of life, love of herself, whatever is distinctive and true about my subject and the sensuality of the moment. Second, flattering someone is all about what you choose to focus on. You can easily flatter (or unflatter) any size/shape woman with lighting, angles, wardrobe and lens choices as well as the spirit in which you capture her.

I’ll let you in on a secret though, if you’re not accustomed to shooting boudoir. You can ask any pro who’s photographed a ton of women – they will all tell you that plus-sized women LOVE their curves! and if a plus-sized woman is coming to you for a photo shoot, she is digging who she is and wants to celebrate herself and her body! Ps. it’s actually the skinny gals who are more critical of their bodies and will require more encouragement and positive feedback during the shoot.

Here’s a few favorite shots from a recent mini-shoot I did with Julie, a beautiful new mom and plus-sized woman who enjoys her body and can demonstrate what I feel is most important to keep in mind when coaching and photographing women:

Sensuality and sexiness comes from within!…

Location: The Mondrian Hotel on Sunset, Los Angeles
Photography: Christa Meola
Make-Up / Hair Stylist: Rachel Lund – the best MUA and a terrific girl to have on set 🙂

More curveliciousness on the blog soon!

x. Christa

“I could NEVER do a sexy photo shoot.”… aaaand that’s my cue! I LOVE photographing women who think a sexy shoot is sooo not them, or not what they could ever do, or that they don’t photograph well, or yeah yeah yeah 🙂 I get asked all the time if I only shoot models. Hell no! My clientele is mostly 40+ moms who have never dreamed of stepping in front of a pro’s camera before, especially not in the buff. Exactly the kind of woman like Mrs. C., a dear friend’s wife who I invited to do a shoot, and of course she said she “could never!” Oh, how I love a good challenge! My persistence in putting her on the scheduled worked, and to Mrs. C’s credit, she committed 110% to the experience and showed up with all she had.

Mrs. C has the greatest legs you’ve ever seen, a rockin’ backside, beautiful skin, a gorgeous smile and a playful spirit. We booked a hotel suite, had some wine and a total blast! My team and I enjoyed the shoot as much as Mrs. C did, and everyone went home that day giddy and with smiles on their faces. I think the resulting photographs are elegant, sexy and playful… and definitely showcase what every woman can do, if they just give themselves the opportunity.

When another woman posted on my Facebook page that she didn’t think she could do a sexy photo shoot because she’s shy about her body, Mrs. C didn’t hesitate and wrote the following comment in response…

You don’t know me, but my new friend, Christa just did the most amazing boudoir shoot with me as a surprise for my husband. I told her I didn’t think I could ever do something like this because it just wasn’t me. But the more I thought about it the more I wanted to challenge myself. Christa is not only amazing behind the camera but also so great and inspiring in front of it! We had such a fun time!! It was so much more than I ever expected. When I showed my husband my album from the shoot, he was absolutely floored! Of course he loves the naked ones the best 🙂 I kept saying to him “Can you believe I did this??”

I’m forever thankful to Christa for talking me into doing the shoot and giving me the confidence and safety to enjoy it. It was not only a fabulous gift for my husband (which he absolutely loves) but truly a gift for myself. I love having these photographs, and I look at myself in a whole new light. I see the things I love about my body instead of the things I don’t.

Christa is truly amazing and gifted and I’m privileged to know her! If you have a chance to work with her, do it! It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done!!

Thank you Mrs. C! for putting your trust in me, for going waaay outside your comfort zone, for your warmth and sincerity, and most of all for spreading the word and letting other women know that they CAN!

xoxo,

Christa