While studying photography in college, Nastia’s career took off on social media thanks to her unique gaze when it comes to shooting beauty images. Recently, she’s been getting buzz for her project Pussyluminati (NSFW), in which she photographed models’ pubic hair and vulvas.
How do you make your subjects feel comfortable in front of the camera?
“It’s about making them feel like they’re part of the project by inviting them into the conversation and asking for their input… not just as a model, but also as a creative individual. I’m still in between being a teenager and being an adult, so I’m trying to find myself, my style, and who I am. I’ve been struggling a lot with my appearance, my social media presence, and what people think about me, so a lot of my photos are inspired by that right now.”
“It’s about making them feel like they’re part of the project by inviting them into the conversation and asking for their input… not just as a model, but also as a creative individual. I’m still in between being a teenager and being an adult, so I’m trying to find myself, my style, and who I am. I’ve been struggling a lot with my appearance, my social media presence, and what people think about me, so a lot of my photos are inspired by that right now.”
How can teen photographers change the way we see and consume beauty?
“It’s important for photographers to have their input in creative projects, so when a brand is casting a beauty shoot and all the models are just blonde, skinny girls, then, as the photographer, you can say, ‘Hey, there’s not only blonde, skinny girls in the world!’ Because our images are going to be seen by young girls, older girls, boys, and anybody really, it’s important to show that there’s not just one standard of beauty.”
“It’s important for photographers to have their input in creative projects, so when a brand is casting a beauty shoot and all the models are just blonde, skinny girls, then, as the photographer, you can say, ‘Hey, there’s not only blonde, skinny girls in the world!’ Because our images are going to be seen by young girls, older girls, boys, and anybody really, it’s important to show that there’s not just one standard of beauty.”
Do you ever face ageism from people who book you for professional work?
“Most of the time, people have no idea how old I am, so it’s usually a surprise when I arrive on set because they’re like, ‘Oh my god, you’re so young.’ Sadly, people think that just because I’m young, they don’t have to pay me as much because I’m not a ‘professional’ photographer — but I have just as much experience. It’s about telling them, ‘My age doesn’t define me as an artist.'”
“Most of the time, people have no idea how old I am, so it’s usually a surprise when I arrive on set because they’re like, ‘Oh my god, you’re so young.’ Sadly, people think that just because I’m young, they don’t have to pay me as much because I’m not a ‘professional’ photographer — but I have just as much experience. It’s about telling them, ‘My age doesn’t define me as an artist.'”
Interview by @jadextaylor for @refinery29