Beauty and the Bump

As an accomplished model I've taken great pride in my body and have felt incredibly comfortable in front of the camera for my various photo-shoots. Coincidently my most famous covers from FHM Magazines have been of me half naked in bikinis!

Now my toned stomach has turned into a beer belly of twins! Everybody was asking when I was going to do my maternity shoot, as a model this would come second nature to me. But I was hesitant, my husband is very private, I have step-kids and I just didn't know if this was right for me. I am so satisfied finally being pregnant, so did I need to do a shoot? I went to my husband and he was so quick to reply "Of course hunny document this historic time in your life, and celebrate the changes in your body." Boom all my hemming and hawing vanished with my husband's resounding confidence & encouragement.

There was only one man for the job, my friend, and world renowned photographer, John Russo. John is someone whom I deeply respect & could trust for this intimate moment in my life. Seven months pregnant with twins, in the privacy of my Los Angeles home, our pregnancy photo came to life.
I did the styling myself, being a New York City girl, I armed myself with some sophisticated fashion pieces from Roberto Cavalli,  Hanro lingiere  and my secret weapon Topshop.
The concept was 1980's Jerry Hall look, red lips, blonde tousled hair, fabulous furs and a scene staler naked belly. The photos exceeded my expectations and made me fall more in love with my baby bump than ever. It's truly a miracle to be growing two humans in my stomach! I encourage all women to embrace their pregnancy journey, to celebrate it and simply enjoy it, the highs and the lows!

"Giving birth and being born brings us into the essence of creation, where the human spirit is courageous and bold and the body, a miracle of wisdom."  ~Harriette Hartigan


Love,
Kaki

7 months pregnant with twins

My favorite shot with my baby Rook

Black & white delight

In Roberto Cavalli & my Bump!

My dog Roki actually was sleeping & we loved it.

The perfect red lip done created by the amazing John Russo!

Esquire

Thank you to Esquire magazine Greece for my editorial. I have dreamed of traveling to the beautiful country of Greece, and now thru Esquire I got to go, but only on paper!

Photographer: John Russo
Makeup: Evelyn Ramirez
Hair: Becca Janian
Location: Rooftop in downtown Los Angeles

Fashion Editorial

My homage to photographer John Russo:
In August 2013 I first met world renown photographer John Russo. Our first photo shoot together was phenomenal. Which progressed into more shoots and an incredible friendship. John Russo is the Steven Spielberg of photography. He is a genius with lighting and has a quiet confidence that makes it look effortless. He is a visionary. More importantly he breathed new life into my quasi retired modeling career. I had been happily devoted and very distracted as a new wife, step-mom and adjusting to my new home in New York City. John has been behind the scenes full of advice, optimism & fortitude. I am humbled & full of gratitude towards John. The power of an "I believe in you" can carry the human spirit a long way. I look forward to new ventures to come!
Love,
Kaki

Below are my photos from my latest shoot with John Russo recently published.
Credits:
Photographer: John Russo
Make-up- Tay Rivera
Make-up- Evelyn Ramirez
Hair- Becca Janian
Stylist- Tay Rivera
Public Relations Co.- Jerry Shandrew PR
Video- GEA Photo

Kaki West

Kaki West

Kaki West

Happy 2014

Happy New Year! Out with old in with the New! Let Go & Let God. My 2013 was filled with love, drama, travel, family, fashion & career highs!
I want to take this moment to say Thank you to all of you lovely Blog readers for your support and or curiosity into my little world. I wish you all the very best for 2014. There is nothing as invigorating as a clean slate, a do- over. Take advantage of this new year and if you must look back, take the time to right the wrongs you may have made. The greatest part of life is that we can always start anew, strive to be better.
Forgive and forget, to forgive is to forget. It's Bull-shit to say I forgive you but I don't forget what you did. That in translation means your still holding onto all that negativity & pain.
Take 2014 to let it all wash away, delete your contacts, close the door and dead bolt it if you have too! Grow as big, bright and beautiful as God intended for you, and don't let anyone dull your shine.
Happy 2014, hold your head high and let this be your YEAR!

Love,
Kaki

In the spirit of New Years Eve, with NYC being my hometown & the ball drop at midnight. Please enjoy my photos from 138 water shoot in Times Square.  Click Here & !Here!

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West 138 Water Billboard

If your driving on Sunset Blvd, below the CNN tower, look up and you will see me on the billboard for the launching of the great company 138 Water!
Thank you to 138 Water, click here for their information. Thank you, to the very talented, funny and vivacious photographer Raquel Rischard for making this all come to fruition. Click here for Raquel's information. I look forward to more endeavors with this team coming soon, but next time in my hometown of NYC!

Early to bed, early to rise. Work like hell and advertise."

- Ted Turner

Love,
Kaki

Kaki West 138 water Billboard

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

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