Tape Her Up wrote:
Did you know most bondage photographers (or most of the ones I know of) are fat?  I'm not (though I got a bit of a gut), but yes, quite a number of bondage photographers are fat.  One guy was so fat, he needed a cane to walk.  Allegedly he was killed in Iraq earlier this year (never substantiated--as I said, he was fat, needed a cane, and was 51 at the time--doesn't sound like he'd be the type to be sent to Iraq). 

Just thought you might want to know.

I might represent some parts of that remark. 

Not the killed part.  Not the cane.
Not the I'm not cause I have three bits of a gut.
but then,  is there really a point here.

crypticarts wrote:
Being on the larger side of the spectrum (6'1" 325lbs) and being fairly new to people photography, i have always wondered the same.  I have not had a problem yet but am bracing for it.  I will say this, in Europe i am told it is much more of an issue.  A very caring friend (Pro Euro Photog) told me flat out i would not get work at a commercial level in some parts of europe because of my size...sad but true.


Eli

This will be going by the wayside soon.   Today's news  shows the photo of a lovely Plus Size  model in lingerie on a runway reportedly in Paris at a Fashion show.
The backlash over sickeningly thin models should ultimately create the true taboo of sickeningly thing photographers too.

Wheres my lunch time shake,  and can I have some cheesecake too, since i skimped on a few calories by having the shake,  and could you tell me if that burger is from lean beef, or....

what a country

Mike Walker wrote:

I lost a commercial job years ago casue they were going to tape the shooting of the catelogue and I didn't fit the "look" they wanted for their photogrpaher. I'd done 2 of their catelogues prior to this and got a bonus out of the last one. So I'd say they were happy with my work. Just not my appearence. To old and to fat. Though they didn't of course say it THAT way.
Mike

u definatey are not in the catagory old OR fat! for a model  not for a photographer!!
:-)

Alisha B wrote:

HAHAHAHA thats the best one I've heard

Agreed.....*giggling*

Chris55 wrote:
Man, you're retarded

Not only mean, this is gratuitously insulting and doesn't make sense. 

Various studies have shown that people who are considered attractive have a leg up when it comes to "being successful."  Juries respond more positively to attractive lawyers than to unattractive lawyers.  In a situation in a public venue where there is a potential for conflict, attractive people have less problems with folks responding negatively towards them.

It doesn't surprise me that models react this way.  People in general often react this way. 

It's sad.  It's a shame.  It's true. 

-- rick

e-string wrote:
I don't care at all what a photographer looks like. The only time I've seen it as a problem (I saw him shooting, did not actually shoot w/ him) was a guy who was so big that he couldn't really get up and move around to get various angles. He just sat in a chair the whole time. Didn't even move the chair.

The best photographers aren't afraid to roll around in the dirt to get the best shot.

I totally agree......
I wasn't aware that this was even a problem.  I'm not sure I've ever worked with an "in shape" photog.

KathyJean wrote:
You work your equipment from one side, and I work it from the other.  Kathy

I LOVE that!

Carpe Imago Photography wrote:
This is a business that is based on appearance.  I'm not at all surprised that you would experience people, be they models or agencies, who would make a value judgement based upon appearance.

amen!! As much as people may hate to admit it SIGHT is quite a powerful sense and you fat/ ugly people will just have to accept the fact that you will probably not get as much respect from models that you could get if you looked better regardless of how good your work is. I know this sounds superficial but hey... it's easier to call someone shallow   or ignorant than it is to lose 50lbs right? This doesn't just apply to photography though it applies to life in general.

lex nova wrote:

amen!! As much as people may hate to admit it SIGHT is quite a powerful sense and you fat/ ugly people will just have to accept the fact that you will probably not get as much respect from models that you could get if you looked better regardless of how good your work is. I know this sounds superficial but hey... it's easier to call someone shallow   or ignorant than it is to lose 50lbs right? This doesn't just apply to photography though it applies to life in general.

That's about a condescending statement as I've ever read......

If you're having trouble booking work because of your size that's because you're not seeing the advantages and only concentrating on a "visual" level....which good photographers go beyond with creativity.....I've never had problem one due to me being the biggest person in the room 95% of the time.....just the opposite....it's been one of my greatest advantages.......but then again I see the glass as half full.....not half empty.

FKVPhotoGraphics wrote:
That's about a condescending statement as I've ever read......

now it is not my intention to be condescending but my logic is that if you are having trouble enough with your appearence that you post a thread about it then perhaps you might be better off trying to change the way you look rather than playing the blame game. I know fat people can be "creative" and blah blah but the bottom line is not all people or models are going to see it that way... we live in a superficial world.

lex nova wrote:
amen!! As much as people may hate to admit it SIGHT is quite a powerful sense and you fat/ ugly people will just have to accept the fact that you will probably not get as much respect from models that you could get if you looked better regardless of how good your work is. I know this sounds superficial but hey... it's easier to call someone shallow   or ignorant than it is to lose 50lbs right? This doesn't just apply to photography though it applies to life in general.

I'm short, fat, pierced and tattooed and I get plenty of respect from my models, thank you.  A couple of them even like me.  (Crazy, ain't it?)  If someone decides that my work is sub-par based upon how I look, and not on how my work looks, then yes, one might say they are shallow and ignorant.  Just because it's easier to point out that truth than to lose 50lbs doesn't make it any less accurate. 

I would also like to point out that despite your "fat/ugly" conflation, fat does not automatically equal ugly.

GLB Graphics wrote:
Since a motorcycle accident that put me in a wheelchair, I have put on some weight. Try showing up to a shoot overweight and in a chair, LOL! I had one girl that just couldn't get comfortable. Every five minutes she would sympathetically yell out, "HOW AM I DOING?" I finally broke the ice by answering, "What was that? Hang on a minute while I turn up the hearing aid on my wheelchair!" True story...

Gary

Strange that, I lost my lower right leg in a motorcycle accident in 01. That is why I keep the covers from Easyriders up on my site, I shot those covers 9 days after being hit. The leg was exploded all over the ladies car who hit me looked like a beef burrito. The blonde model was one of Easyriders most popular girls on cover because she has that wonderful look on her face, Its not sex it's pity for me. I was in a chair with so much demerol in me and all these _ucked up bandages soaked through. It was a great shoot and we all had a great time. Man those were the days.
No i dont think I have an issue with weight just Buicks>

e-string wrote:
The best photographers aren't afraid to roll around in the dirt to get the best shot.

I got a tick from rolling around in the dirt for a shoot this summer!!! AHHHHH EWWWWWWWW

RED Photographic wrote:
The more you pay the thinner you seem.

Now THAT'S funny!

lex nova wrote:

now it is not my intention to be condescending but my logic is that if you are having trouble enough with your appearence that you post a thread about it then perhaps you might be better off trying to change the way you look rather than playing the blame game. I know fat people can be "creative" and blah blah but the bottom line is not all people or models are going to see it that way... we live in a superficial world.

Well I'm not sure what kind of world you live in....but in my world it's what I make of it not what someone else will give me. Take charge of your life and it makes no difference what kind of world it is......it's all up to you.

When I was younger, 20-40, the comment I heard the most was..."where do you get all those women?"....in reference to some of the ladies I dated. I already knew I was no movie star. That was a given. I knew I towered over most women and engulfed them with my size. But what I also knew was that being a gentlemen, a good listener, having manners, and a great personality was a combination that never failed me. So while all the "pretty" boys were out hunting arm candy I was developing good solid relationships with women others only could dream about.

So, it's not just laying back and hoping something good comes your way. It's using what you have in the most positive way possible and reaping the rewards.

GLB Graphics wrote:
Since a motorcycle accident that put me in a wheelchair, I have put on some weight. Try showing up to a shoot overweight and in a chair, LOL! I had one girl that just couldn't get comfortable. Every five minutes she would sympathetically yell out, "HOW AM I DOING?" I finally broke the ice by answering, "What was that? Hang on a minute while I turn up the hearing aid on my wheelchair!" True story...

Gary

6'3" 300lb quadrapliegic here.... it's RARELY an issue except if the girl wants beach shots lol.

GLB Graphics wrote:
Since a motorcycle accident that put me in a wheelchair, I have put on some weight. Try showing up to a shoot overweight and in a chair, LOL! I had one girl that just couldn't get comfortable. Every five minutes she would sympathetically yell out, "HOW AM I DOING?" I finally broke the ice by answering, "What was that? Hang on a minute while I turn up the hearing aid on my wheelchair!" True story...

Gary

That's courageous. Sometimes reading things like this put's things in perspective for me. Hope you make a speedy recovery.

E|||B wrote:
I think most models want to shoot with phat photographers. They be all gettin' their ebonic lenses on n' shit. Word.

I'm a phat photographer.  So word up homies !