Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Family photo shoot and I’m fat

9 replies

CreepyPasta · 14/04/2024 10:11

Hi,

I need help please! We have a family photo shoot booked for next month and I haven’t managed to lose the weight I said I would for it.

No chance of changing the date as too many people have made travel arrangements for it.

Im a size 20 apple. Most of the weight is on my stomach and back, no boobs. Fat arms but my legs are ok. What can I wear?!? My usual style is joggers or leggings and long tops that cover everything. I’m 5’5 brown hair, blue eyes and have pale (pasty)skin.

It’s a smart casual photo shoot so don’t need anything too fancy.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

OP posts:
thedendrochronologist · 14/04/2024 10:24

Are you having a theme/ dress code for the photo shoot? Usually there is a colour code or something?

Im a size 18 and feel i look awful in everything.

Of no theme I'd go simple and wear a plain black long sleeved top, blue jeans and best trainers.

Pick the best top for your shape /scoop//crew.

Hair make up and nails to glow!

CreepyPasta · 14/04/2024 16:01

Thanks. No theme. I was thinking jeans and a top but not sure if that would be too casual?

You've just reminded me I will need to get my hair sorted out before it too. The stress!

OP posts:
alcoholnightmare · 14/04/2024 16:04

I think jeans and a plain top would look nice - no fussy prints. 'Good' skin care, makeup and hair on the day and I'll bet you'll look great x

Colette · 14/04/2024 16:04

Gradual tan - I’m really pasty too

TamarindJelly · 14/04/2024 16:45

OK I am a size 20 veteran of many family photoshoots. I always swear I'll lose weight before the next one and never do.

First of all... you are absolutely doing the right thing by having the photoshoot now. It's always tempting to put them off until you feel like you look "better". But I have friends who kept on feeling like they weren't looking "good enough" for a family photoshoot... and ended up never doing one. Now it's a bit late - their kids are at uni and grandparents sadly passed away. The time is now, podgy or not!

Some ideas from my own experience:

Wear black or dark navy or very dark grey, with long sleeves. Plain smart-casual is fine. Not only is this flattering on the larger person, it also makes your face the focal point, which is the whole point of portraits. Nothing fussy, patterned, shiny or with logos. NEVER wear white (I made that mistake a couple of times, never again!).

Trousers are probably best. Very dark coloured smart jeans are fine. Leggings/joggers will not look good. You may be arranged in a group pose where some people are sitting on the ground - this is very awkward in a skirt. Also means you don't have to worry about tights etc.

Plain black or very dark coloured leather boots or shoes. Most trainers can be too noticeable; it depends on their style.

If all this sounds boring... that's because it's meant to be. The ideal portrait outfit is the one you don't really notice when you look at the photo. You just notice the person.

Layers can make you feel more confident and look more polished. So a black blazer or casual jacket over a black T shirt, for example.

Other points:

If you're in a studio, you may be able to pick a dark backdrop. A dark backdrop and a dark outfit work wonders if you're unconfident about your weight.

Similarly, if you have kids, positioning them in front of you can obscure some areas you would rather weren't on display. Or other adults, depending on their height/pose! The people at the back of a photo will always look a little bit smaller just because of perspective.

I hope this doesn't sound patronising. I just want to pass on stuff I wish I'd known to start with.

springblosso · 14/04/2024 17:12

TamarindJelly · 14/04/2024 16:45

OK I am a size 20 veteran of many family photoshoots. I always swear I'll lose weight before the next one and never do.

First of all... you are absolutely doing the right thing by having the photoshoot now. It's always tempting to put them off until you feel like you look "better". But I have friends who kept on feeling like they weren't looking "good enough" for a family photoshoot... and ended up never doing one. Now it's a bit late - their kids are at uni and grandparents sadly passed away. The time is now, podgy or not!

Some ideas from my own experience:

Wear black or dark navy or very dark grey, with long sleeves. Plain smart-casual is fine. Not only is this flattering on the larger person, it also makes your face the focal point, which is the whole point of portraits. Nothing fussy, patterned, shiny or with logos. NEVER wear white (I made that mistake a couple of times, never again!).

Trousers are probably best. Very dark coloured smart jeans are fine. Leggings/joggers will not look good. You may be arranged in a group pose where some people are sitting on the ground - this is very awkward in a skirt. Also means you don't have to worry about tights etc.

Plain black or very dark coloured leather boots or shoes. Most trainers can be too noticeable; it depends on their style.

If all this sounds boring... that's because it's meant to be. The ideal portrait outfit is the one you don't really notice when you look at the photo. You just notice the person.

Layers can make you feel more confident and look more polished. So a black blazer or casual jacket over a black T shirt, for example.

Other points:

If you're in a studio, you may be able to pick a dark backdrop. A dark backdrop and a dark outfit work wonders if you're unconfident about your weight.

Similarly, if you have kids, positioning them in front of you can obscure some areas you would rather weren't on display. Or other adults, depending on their height/pose! The people at the back of a photo will always look a little bit smaller just because of perspective.

I hope this doesn't sound patronising. I just want to pass on stuff I wish I'd known to start with.

What about something like this

Family photo shoot and I’m fat
Family photo shoot and I’m fat
Family photo shoot and I’m fat
TamarindJelly · 14/04/2024 17:50

springblosso · 14/04/2024 17:12

What about something like this

Those are great, but ESPECIALLY the blazer one.

You can see how well that outfit photographs. The blazer gives it that bit of shape and structure without being too formal or fussy. I think pretty much anyone would look good photographed in that.

In general I think wearing 2 layers instead of 1 makes you look much better in a portrait photo. 1 layer can look a bit stark and unfinished. 2 layers (both plain and in dark colours) looks polished without standing out too much. Plus it means your outfit is less likely to cling to lumps and bumps. Although if you tend to overheat (like me!) then you would need to make sure they weren't too thick, so as not to get too hot in the photo studio!

InAMillion · 16/04/2024 14:51

Wear all black

FoxRedPuppy · 16/04/2024 14:57

This is clothes advice, but to say it doesn't matter. It matters to you, and I hate photos of myself at the moment as I am fat. But my dad died a few weeks ago and we've been going through photos and despite the big bellies, crazy hair styles and sometimes unphotogenic poses, all I think about is how nice it is to see him and me and us having fun.

He was always the photographer, so there are loads of him missing from photos. I wish he'd been in more. So, fuck it, wear something you like and just be in the picture.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page