If you are tormented by the question, do or not dophotoshoot during pregnancy, look at the pictures of Kate Vestis. In her lens, all women, regardless of age, weight and body proportions, look so perfect and luxurious that they immediately want to run to the studio. In the photo - just goddesses who descended from heaven, although none of the heroines are professional models. When she was only 25 years old, she became interested in photography in 2008, she studied everything herself, first took off a female portrait, then newborns, only a year ago decided to focus only on pregnant women. And this fragile girl is ready to share her accumulated skills: in April she opens a school of creative business and photography at Kuznetsky Most. Woman’s Day asked Katya to act as an expert and answer the most pressing questions that arise before the photo session.
Photo: @ kate.vestis
How long is the photo session?
— I recommend filming from the 26th to the 34th week:the tummy has already grown, but it is not too big yet and there are no swellings yet, which almost all pregnant women have in the last stages. And physically it is easier for girls to be filmed during this period. From the outside it seems that it is easy: you came to the studio, sat beautifully on the couch, lay on the bed. But in fact, to sit beautifully on a chair, you need to arch your back, stretch your neck, tense your toes and “hang” like that for a few seconds, or even minutes. Those who did sports before pregnancy feel quite comfortable. And girls who lead a sedentary lifestyle cannot take some poses in principle. For example, sit with your back to me and turn around so that the edge of your belly is visible. To do this, you need to bend quite strongly at the waist, bend your arm, and put your head practically on my shoulder. I also like to film girls from above. And if you relax, your body will look blurry. In order for such a shot to come out beautiful, you need to be in constant tension: hold your hand near your face or in your hair, bend your leg beautifully and still pretend to smile slightly. In the photo it looks natural, but in life we don’t sit, stand or lie like that, so girls often feel discomfort. I always warn in advance: if it’s uncomfortable, say so. I’ll either try to shoot faster, or we’ll come up with another pose.
1/2 Photo: @kate.vestis Photo: @kate.vestis
Most popular poses
- Standing in profile and looking at my tummy.Please note that you don’t need to look directly at your stomach, because in this case your neck will look visually shorter and a double chin may appear – look slightly forward at the floor.
1/10Photo: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestis— Standing frontally, hands under the tummy. If your legs are not covered by a skirt/dress, it is better to cross them, stand on tiptoe so that the muscles are tense and the legs seem longer, the arms should not be pressed too much to the body, so that they do not look thicker than they actually are.— Sitting half-turned, hands on the tummy. Important: sit only on the tip of the chair, then the legs will look slimmer. Legs crossed at the ankles look beautiful, do not forget to point your toes. If you are nervous before the shoot, you can rehearse these poses at home in front of the mirror.
What and where to shoot
— Boudoir photography is in fashion now:photo on the bed in translucent dresses. The bed can be replaced with a ottoman or sofa, decorated with fabric or pillows. Keep in mind that there are no textiles, candles, flowers in the studios - some people are surprised by this. The site has only a standard set of furniture: a sofa, an armchair, vintage chairs, and the decor is discussed individually and paid for separately.
1/4Photo: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhotos in the bathtub have also become fashionable. It can be filled with milk, foam, fresh flowers, fabric and even glitter. Anything that will look beautiful in the frame is appropriate. In Moscow, it is not yet easy to find a bathtub suitable for shooting: only three studios offer them, two of which are not connected to the water supply. With the arrival of spring and summer, outdoor photography becomes popular. For example, I really like projects in blooming gardens: a sofa or couch, a table with sweets, candles are installed outdoors, it looks unusual and very beautiful.
Photo: @kate.vestisAt the moment one of the most unusual options is underwater photography. In Moscow, there is only one studio, which makes it possible to conduct this photographing. I must say: this is not for everyone. In principle, the pool in the studio is not deep - only 150 cm, you do not need to constantly keep your body afloat, everywhere there are sides where you can sit and relax, the water is warm - 35 degrees and very clean. But! First, you need to hold your breath for a long time. Secondly, to perform the same actions many times for the sake of one successful frame. And thirdly, not to be afraid of water - it sounds trite, but I had a case when a girl, feeling water flooded her ears, nostrils, her hair was climbing into her eyes, the wet dress pulling down, got very excited, so I had to spend more time on adaptation to water. Now I have a special assistant who helps the girls to dive in the water and straightens the hem of their dresses in order to create a “flying” effect.
1/3Photo: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisAnd the latest fashion trend is Fashion shooting. Here, everything is radically different from gentle shooting in dresses and peignoirs: there is nothing superfluous in the frame, the girls are dressed in sexy clothes, massive shoes are often used, non-standard hairstyles and accessories for pregnant women are appropriate, and the mood of the shooting and poses themselves are different from those listed above.
Photo: @ kate.vestis
Props: baby stuff, ultrasound pictures?
— The fashion for photo shoots with ultrasound, booties, balls,bears, cubes with names passed, which personally pleases me. Now minimalism is popular, when in the frame, for example, only a chair and a girl. Many want to be filmed in underwear or without it, like Ksenia Sobchak. And then everything depends on the flight of your imagination: once for the shooting we made huge fans, which were painted black and hung on the wall. We are actively developing the theme of decor, suitable not only for gentle photos, but also for feminine fashion shootings. Also now there are many who want to be filmed with animals. I filmed pregnant women with a horse, a lion, a tiger cub, a deer and fawns, foxes, owls, lambs, peacocks, parrots, butterflies, rabbits and other animals. We rent them not in the zoo, only the lion was from the circus, all the others, including foxes, live in ordinary houses, without cages, they are accustomed to people, do not scratch or bite. Their owners or trainers come to the shooting with them, so everything is under control. It is great to shoot with animals, the main thing is not to be afraid of them.
1/3Photo: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestis
Photos with a husband or only in the frame
- In my experience, men most often don’t want totake part in a photo shoot. Long waits for getting ready and long shooting are really tiring, so my advice: if your husband wants to be photographed himself, then go ahead. Refuses? Don't drag him by force. I understand that you want to have at least a couple of joint shots as a keepsake. In this case, ask your husband to arrive 30 minutes before the end of the shoot, this time is enough to take a few beautiful joint shots. Of course, there are photographers who photograph pregnancy as a Lovestory - only in a couple. But this is a completely different concept, more like a live style: someone fights with pillows, others drink tea with buns, and others run after each other.
Photo: @ kate.vestis
What not to drink and not to eat the day before to look slimmer
— You don’t need to limit yourself in anything.Girls often come to a photo shoot and complain: my legs are swollen today. At the same time, I ate as usual and slept normally. Such is Murphy's law. So, on the contrary, relax the day before. Any makeup artist will disguise skin imperfections. For everything else, there is Photoshop. Almost every girl gains extra weight during pregnancy, some suffer from swelling and protruding veins. But in photos, everyone wants to see themselves as they were before, so I agree with the girls on their wishes for processing: you can always reduce volumes a little, tighten the figure and remove flaws. Do not forget that the camera adds weight. Plus, there are different lenses that distort the picture. I then correct all this in Photoshop, so I try not to show raw material. When choosing a photographer, I advise you to carefully review the portfolio not only from the point of view of the beauty of the photos, but also pay attention to the photo processing techniques: how the skin, face, hair are smoothed. All the elements present in the photo should fully satisfy your taste preferences.
1/3Photo: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestisPhoto: @kate.vestis
