Kaki West Fashion shoot with Celebrity Photographer John Russo

In August I had the model equivalent of playing in the "Superbowl"!  I was lucky enough to shoot with famed photographer John Russo click here to see his work. John is great friends with my extraordinary publicist and the pieces fell into place for our shoot. John is humble, talented & kind. I remember the entire time thinking in my head just breathe. But my nerves were soon put to rest. As the shoot was filled with such ease and warmth. The high fashion photos have been published in several International magazines. It was a magical day, as we said on set it was "Everything"! 

Watch the Behind the Scenes Video here!

Thank you,

John Russo Photographer

Jerry Shandrew PR

Evelyn- Makeup

GEA- Video

Andy- Hair

Masha- Stylist

Ambiance Mexico Magazine

ParisEmag.com 

INmtk Espanol Magazine

Veux Magazine

MIA Magazine

Kaki West by John Russo

Kaki West By John Russo

Kaki West Ambiance Cover by John Russo

Kaki West By John Russo

With the whole crew that's a warp!

Kaki West photo by John Russo

Kaki West by John Russo

Kaki West by John Russo

Bahama Mama

When I was told my shoot would be in the Bahamas. I gasped. I was practically raised in the Bahamas by my avid spear-fisherman father. Which Bahamas? No not the Nassau "Atlantis" resort room service kind of Bahamas but the Green Turtle Cay rent a house with no television or phone, out on the boat all day snorkeling reef to reef. The eat what you catch kind of Bahamas! When I was in high school I had the worst fish food poisoning of my life in these Islands, afterwards the sight of a red lobster commercial made my stomach churn.
The Bahamas are in my blood. It's not fancy, the people are as warm as the sunshine, the water is crystal, and the sand is powdery white. Its always Island Time, and I am always ready for a Bahama Mama. Don't worry be happy. With all this,  my absolute favorite gift that the Bahamas gives is the answer to everything & anything--  a resounding "Yah Mon".

So off I went in June to the remote Island of Exuma, with photographer Raquel Rischard , hair/makeup maven  Becca Janian & producer Zach . 3 fun filled days of shooting, weather, drama, sand, boats, Island time and Island hopping. We obsessed over the Vine app which as i write this has already been replaced by Instagram video.
See Video click HERE & HERE!

I am blessed to have worked with such a wonderful team. Lately "gratitude" has become a huge mantra of mine.  I am thankful for the triumphs and the missteps in my life, Namaste.

Bahamas Credits:

Grand Isle Resort, Exuma Bahamas
Photographer, Raquel Rischard
MUA, Becca Janian
Producer & Kalik expert, Zack Solof
My SLS- I don't tell you enough, how lucky I am to be your wife.

Photos Published in:
FHM Philippines Click Here
Guyism.com Click Here
CKM Poland  Click Here


"Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved."

FHM,  The background was so perfect it looks fake!

Guyism.com 

CKM Poland 

Last shot of the entire shoot & its my favorite. Kaki West by Raquel Riscahrd

Beautiful Exuma, Bahamas, Jet Setter,  photographer Raquel Rischard & MUA Becca Janian

Fun in the Sand Behind the scenes shot

Lying down on the mist beautiful sand bar. Kaki West by Raquel Rischard

Collage of some of the Published shots

Kaki West FHM

Entertaim.net Feature

Happy Fall  friends. New article in Entertaim.net.  Thank you to photographer Eric GEA for the great photos. Big kisses to my glamour team of Evelyn & Andy. Enjoy my interview, as I hint of new ventures coming soon.

Love,
Kaki

 Kaki West photo by GEA 9/2013

 Kaki West photo by GEA 9/2013

Photo-Shoot June 2013

 In June I had the pleasure of shooting with talented photographer Ryan Astamendi. I first shot with Ryan in May of 2012 see the blog and photos here.  To contact Ryan click here! 

History repeated itself with the outcome of excellent photos, a laid back atmosphere and a  ton of laughs.  I was fortunate to have my amazing makeup artist Evelyn Ramirez glam me. To contact Evelyn click here! The hairstylist, Andy, gave me soft bouncy hair that I fell in love with immediately. To contact Andy click here! 

I would also like to thank them for participating in my directorial debut of  "YOLO", watch here!  Enjoy the funny video, behind the scenes candids & of course the final photos.

 "The photograph isn't good enough. It's not real enough."

-David Hockney 

 Kaki West by Ryan Astamendi 2013

 Kaki West by Ryan Astamendi 2013

 Kaki West by Ryan Astamendi 2013

 Kaki West & photographer Ryan Astamendi

 Behind the Scenes Candid

  

2013

In January 2013 I collaborated with my favorite photographer and type A friend Eric Gea. We worked together on an exciting video project. And in the midst captured some great Black & White shots.... Stay tuned.

Eric Gea Photography Links:
http://www.modelmayhem.com/357765
www.geaimages.com

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right" Oprah 

Love,
Kaki

Kaki West by GEA Photo

Kaki West by GEA Photo

Kaki West by GEA Photo

Girls Just Wana Have Fun!

Once upon a time on a scorching hot day in late September in an extravagant home in Beverly Hills, 6 girls let loose & left their inhibitions parked in the driveway! The Ladies were all together for an editorial photo shoot. Raquel Rischard is a brilliant photographer with gorgeous red hair & effervescent energy. She works closely with her friend Masha whom is a high fashion stylist.  Model Kaki West arrived with her entourage of a glamour team, an assistant plus a baby-girl!  The stage was set with makeup by artist extraordinaire Evelyn with her sweet laugh. Becca is the fabulous hair stylist, with a knack for cracking jokes at perfect timing. Kaki's assistant Angelique with her beautiful 4 month old baby Meggy strapped to her, made sure the shoot went efficiently & smoothly. The shoot was in full motion, moving swiftly and loudly. The women were talking, laughing & the creative juices were flowing. They moved from a pool, to a stariway, to a balcony. Cameras were rolling, fans were blowing, iPhones were ringing, music was blasting, this was a sorority masked as a photo shoot. As the last shot was taken, the ladies air kissed goodbye & off they went. Sometimes Girls just wana have fun & work too! They all lived happily ever after.
*Photos & behind scenes snapshots below

*** In an industry so competitive & harsh with women constantly being petty & hyper aggressive. It was an empowering shoot for me. So here is to Girl Power, to working together & supporting each other. Lets raise each other up rather than put each other down. ~ Love,  Kaki

The Cast
Model~ twitter/Kakiwest10
Makeup Artist~ twitter/evilyn_mua
Hair stylist~ twitter/makeupbecca
Photographer~ twitter/raquelrischard
Kakis Fab Assistant~ twitter/anchorsaweighla

Behind the Scenes Collage

The Girl who stole the Show my assistant's baby "Meggy" 4 months old!

Kaki West

Sneak Peek of photos below by, Raquel Rischard

Kaki West 

Kaki West

Gea Photo shoot

In August I had the pleasure of shooting with my dear friend, photographer Eric Gea. We first worked together in 2008 & immediately clicked. Eric is brilliant, sincere & fiercely loyal. I have always found myself to be guarded especially in the "industry". But with Eric I could be my goof ball self! I could speak in ridiculous accents & showoff my horribly bad dance moves between shots. Inevitably Eric always cracked up & we always had fantastic photos. Stay tuned for some exciting news from our August shoot! Below view some of my favorite Gea photos from 2008 till present!

www.geaimages.com

Summer 2012 Photo shoot in LA LA land

I returned to my second home, city of sunshine & movie studios, Los Angeles. I detoured into the land of Disney family royalty, Ryan Astamendi photographer extrodinaire. Several models I know personally raved about Ryan. But in this town "seeing is believing". I am proudly a believer! Ryan's home/studio is nestled in the heart of Burbank. You are greeted warmly by Ryan, Aly & Evelyn his glamour team of hair & makeup professionals. Before long laughter and music filled the studio, it felt like an intimate party with long lost  friends. The looks glided on from  outdoors headshot to body series to studio lighting. For the first time in a long time I giddily left a shoot exhausted from laughter rather than hunger pains. See the final photos below, plus a behind the scenes snapshot!

Photographer & Beauty Team Info 
Instagram/RyanAstamendiPhotography
Instagram/evilyn_mua
Instagram/a_l_y


"A good snapshot stops a moment from running away. " ~Eudora Welty

Behind the Scenes Pic with the Glamour Team pre-shoot!

Final Pictures thanks Ryan!