Photographer | Creative Visionary | Confidence Curator
Welcome to The Curvy Boss Spotlight, where we celebrate plus size professionals who are boldly building lanes of their own. Twice a month, we shine a light on curvy CEOs, consultants, creators, educators, and innovators who are redefining what leadership looks like beyond the runway or influencer world, like today with Jillian Pfennig!
This series was born from one powerful truth: you cannot be what you cannot see. Representation doesn’t stop at fashion campaigns or social feeds… it lives in offices, studios, boardrooms, and every space where impact is made.
Last time, we featured Charese Chambers, the Fractional CFO and Implementation Coach behind Financial Fancy, who’s helping entrepreneurs turn passion into profit. This time, we’re stepping behind the camera to meet a creative powerhouse who’s capturing the beauty, confidence, and brilliance of curvy women through her art.
This week, we’re spotlighting someone who’s no stranger to The Curvy Fashionista family. Jillian Pfennig is not only a dynamic photographer capturing the bold and beautiful, but also our West Coast contributor! Whether she’s trying cryotherapy for the first time, Weed Yoga, or jumping into another unforgettable LA experience, Jillian brings her signature mix of fun, curiosity, and creativity to everything she does. Her fearless perspective makes her one to watch and one to know.
Let’s step behind the camera and meet the curvy creative helping women see their brilliance through her lens and turning vulnerability into visual celebration.
Meet Jillian Pfennig, the Photographer Turning Empowerment Into Art
For Jillian Pfennig, photography is more than a profession, it’s a form of liberation. Her work is about helping women, especially plus size women, see themselves as art.
“I began my photography journey wanting to empower women to feel comfortable and sexy in their bodies,” she shares. “There is no better feeling than to embrace your vulnerabilities and turn them into something to be celebrated.”
From boudoir-style sessions that celebrate self-love to creative shoots that burst with color and imagination, Jillian’s photography transforms hesitation into empowerment. Her mission is simple: help women see what has always been beautiful about them.
Behind the Lens: A Day in Jillian’s Creative World
No two days look the same for Jillian and that’s exactly how she likes it.
Her favorite part of her job is brainstorming wild, bold ideas and bringing them to life. She has made a dress out of playing cards for a shoot in front of the Las Vegas sign and used vibrant holi powder for a desert session that looked like a living rainbow.
“If you have an idea you want to turn into a shoot, I’ll gladly brainstorm how to make it a reality,” she says.
That creative spark is what keeps her inspired. Every shoot, every location, every model brings a new story to tell and she’s the one capturing the magic.
The Power of Advocacy and Community
Like many plus size professionals, Jillian Pfennig has faced bias in her industry. “Many of us are still judged for not being capable or being lazy, just because of our bodies,” she says.
But when doors didn’t open, her community stepped up. “I have had other plus size babes advocate for me to get opportunities for professional headshots or yoga events,” she shares. “Once people see what I can do, they realize my talent has nothing to do with my appearance.”
Her advice? Advocate for yourself and for the people in your corner. Community can be the difference between being overlooked and being seen.
Representation Through the Lens
“Representation is everything,” Jillian says.
As a plus size photographer, she knows firsthand how difficult it can be to book fashion photography work when you don’t fit the industry’s image of who “belongs” behind the camera.
Instead of waiting for permission, she creates her own opportunities… often using herself or plus size models to prove that fashion, beauty, and creativity exist at every size.
“I’ve done fashion shoots using my own models or even myself to show that I can shoot high fashion as a curvy boss,” she says. “We deserve to be seen and celebrated too.”
How Jillian Cultivates Confidence
Confidence doesn’t always come naturally, and Jillian is the first to admit it.
“I don’t naturally have a commanding presence,” she says. “I’ve had to work at speaking up and showing others that I’m in charge. Even if my voice is quiet, I can still have confidence in what I’m saying and ensure everyone knows I mean business.”
That quiet confidence shows in her work. Whether she’s coaching a client through their first photo shoot or capturing someone’s boldest self, she creates a space that radiates safety, freedom, and fun.
Inspiring Confidence in Others
Jillian Pfennig’s superpower is helping women see themselves in a new light, literally and emotionally.
“I’ve convinced many women to shoot with me who didn’t think they were ‘models,’” she says. “They start out timid and unsure, and by the end, they’re requesting to try something spicy.”
Her philosophy? “You can try any shot. If you hate it, no one will ever see it but you and me. It’s worth a chance.”
Through that safe, affirming energy, Jillian transforms her photo sessions into powerful moments of self-acceptance.
Her Advice for Aspiring Curvy Bosses
Her advice is short and powerful: Do it scared.
“Take a chance on your dreams and create a community that will embrace you and advocate for you,” she says.
That courage has carried her career and continues to inspire others to take that first bold step toward what they love.
Style and Comfort: Her Professional Hack
As a photographer who moves constantly during shoots, Jillian knows that comfort and confidence go hand in hand.
“If you’re active during your job, make sure you’re comfortable, especially your shoes,” she says. “If you’re in pain, your best work won’t shine through.”
Because true boss style is all about being able to move, create, and own your space.
What’s Next for Jillian Pfennig
Jillian is just getting started.
She’s currently submitting her work for more publications and awards so her art, and her perspective, can reach wider audiences. She’s also planning new shoots specifically designed for publication, blending creativity, fashion, and empowerment.
“I always respect clients who don’t want their photos displayed online,” she says. “But I also want my work to be seen. Representation only grows when we take up space.”
Her Favorite Way to Celebrate a Win
“I love celebrating my friends, so I’ve been learning to celebrate myself the same way,” she says.
She treats herself after completing a shoot by investing in the next one, and when it’s time for a big celebration? “Travel. Always travel.”
Dinner With Her Dream Guests
Jillian’s ideal dinner guest list is as creative and bold as her work.
- Her Grandma, a model in her day, whose stories she’d love to hear from an adult’s perspective
- Cindy Sherman, the self-portrait pioneer who inspired Jillian to experiment with shooting herself when models weren’t accessible
- Harriet Tubman, a fearless leader and fellow brain injury survivor, whose strength and resilience continue to inspire Jillian deeply
Know a Curvy Boss Who Should Be Next?
We created this series to spotlight plus size professionals who are innovating, creating, and leading with purpose. These are the stories that often go untold but deserve to be front and center.
If you know a Curvy Boss, or if you are one, we want to hear from you.
Nominate or apply to be featured here!
Because celebrating curvy professionals isn’t just a trend, it’s a movement. And we’re just getting started!
