From the Managing Editor’s Desk – talk about plus size stock photos.
Believe it or not, the curvy fashionista is my first big dive into plus size fashion. I was a curvy gal for the rest of my life, but I never thought there would be a voice in the space. However, I was blessed with the opportunity to become a publishing author in 2024 and become a managing editor in the beginning of 2025. Everyone is a managing editor, and I am responsible for most of the content you see on the website and the corresponding editorial content.
Yes, the photos you see on social are set by me. And yes, we’re looking at some of the fracks we get to use AI photos from time to time in our society.
I’m never trying to convince anyone to go to ChatGpt Crazy. Also, we don’t want to “protect” them from using them. But I want to get to the root of this issue and focus my attention on the challenges that plus-size-focused publications, communities and brands grapple with as they try to bring positiveness to the plus-size industry.
Well, by the end of this article, you still want to kick me out – free.
Plus size stock photos problem
Unfortunately, many issues with plus size stock photography were not something I knew until I started working with TCF. And, completely frankly, the main problem is that they are almost nonexistent.
Masters’ programs frequently looked into media images, the science behind them, how to choose the right one, their impact, and their importance. To the naked eye, the photographs seen in articles and society may simply represent what the article is. But what some people don’t realize is that the images we associate with words and topics become images that we associate with emotions, thoughts, thought processes, and more.
That being said, it has always been my goal to present an uplifting image, not just a representation of a plus-size community. In the plus size community, we know how important it is to see people with similar figures to ours, but if you haven’t seen the options for plus size stock photos, let us know your ideas.
For example, using Canva, searching for “plus-size fashion” will give you some options. Most of the options are white women, excluding black, Latino and Asian women. For available photos, they tend to celebrate plus-size fashion, but instead point out that they are embarrassed by their body or that their clothes don’t suit them. Additionally, niche searches such as “plus-size women doing makeup” and “plus-size women getting their hair” will give you slimmer results, but removing “plus-size” from your search will bring you many plausible options. It does not represent the usual and ordinary things that plus-sized women participate. And almost every search I put in provides the results of working plus size women… as if that was the only reason why plus size people need to be represented in photos.
There may be better results options, such as Getty Images, but for independent publications like TCF, the price of Getty Images certainly doesn’t help. Yes, there are other options for free stock images such as Pexels and Unsplash, but you run into the same problem that Canva presents. Needless to say, TCF is nearly 17 years old and has thousands of articles. I used all of them with a small amount of available options.
When reading some of the disapproved comments, some of you suggest hiring a real plus size model. This is a nice idea and something we want to do, but there are some barriers to this. First of all, taking photos is costly. Hiring a photographer, model, stylist, makeup artist, hair stylist costs over $5,000 (and it’s on the cheap side).
Secondly, this is probably the current volume of publishing articles, if not all, perhaps, in the articles. Some photo shoot. We can guarantee that all publications will utilize stock images. However, some publications have access to more resources.
Third, this is not useful when you’re breaking fashion and style news or newsworthy articles.
To put it simply, don’t worry, we don’t use AI instead of the employment plus size model.
Where is AI included?
Again, I want to be clear. I’m never defending the use of AI images. Our readers have all the rights to hold us accountable. I recently learned that Grok (X, formerly Twitter, AI component) has had a serious impact on the water supply of the town of Memphis. Once we learned, our use was reduced instantly.
To be clear, AI photos were not the main source of plus-size stock photos. It has always been a supplement and was often reused when needed. But, to be honest, I often feel that it’s a catch 22. Starting with only available stock images will wipe out the representation for many readers. I don’t just mean race. The various body types, heights and styles are not emphasized. You should also consider people with different abilities. I have never seen stock images of plus-sized people with disabilities or skin conditions. Certainly, we would have been attacked at first glance according to our trend to reduce Dei.
The goal of TCF is to enhance the size of women through fashion, media and community, to create a space of reality, where styles are celebrated, voices are heard, and expressions are created. Every move and every decision we make has that in mind.
Currently, there is a need for changes to the industry
The plus size industry continues to evolve, but we still deal with discrimination at a big level. Yes, AI is a problem worth addressing. However, the underlying issues with AI use are important to the conversation. Not only is there more space and expression in plus size folx, it also requires more recognition. We need to be the first thought, not the later.
Plus size folx represents more than half the populationHowever, stock images of plus size women wearing hair and makeup are unrealistic. According to the stock image company, the only “space” that plus-size people need to take up is the gym.
AI is not a solution for plus size stock photography, and has never been before. It’s a temporary band-aid for bigger issues. Of course, as TCF continues to grow, some of our resources can go towards this issue. But for now, please know that we listen and value your feedback. I hope this is just the beginning of such an important conversation.
Source: The Curvy Fashionista – thecurvyfashionista.com
