PRESS

Mother of three Esther Gelman knows absolutely everything about newborns. How else to explain the fact that practically all Russian showbiz stars - from Miroslava Duma to Ksenia Borodina - trust her to take pictures of their offspring? Why should you choose her for the most heartwarming photos?

What did you do before you became a photographer?
I actually have a law degree, so I was a lawyer before I started making money as a photographer. Working in an office, the usual framework, the dress code - all that was happening to me too.

Do you remember the moment when you first picked up a camera?
It's funny, but I don't remember the first time, I think I was born with a camera in my hands. (laughs) Ever since I was a little girl, my mom, who was also into photography, would involve me in the process of taking pictures, and the magic of the "red room" became an integral part of my life. As I was growing up, my responsibilities as her assistant were growing as well.

How did you decide to take photographs specifically of babies?
Every mother takes an endless number of pictures of her children - I was no exception. (Smiling.) But the true inspiration, the starting point, the idea that burst into my head, I consider the moment I saw photos of children at a flea market in Palermo: black and white, in some places worn out pictures of unknown children in lace and bonnets. "That's what can really stop a moment!" - I thought at the time.

Are new mothers and newborns more difficult to work with than adults?
That's why we call it the work, because it's never easy. (laughs) There are some nuances to everything. And if after taking a picture of a newborn baby, the mother thinks that everything was too easy, so that "I could have done it myself," then it's the photographer's achievement, because he did a great job.

Which celebrities have you already worked with?
The list is quite long. Of those I may mention are Ksenia Sobchak, Yana Raskovalova, Victoria Manasir, Tata Bondarchuk, Mira Duma, Lena Perminova, Sergei Zhukov, Polina Dibrova, Anastasia Vinokur, Galina Yudashkina, Vera Orlova, Anton Belyaev, Victoria Borisevich, TV presenters Olga Ushakova and Svetlana Abramova, PEOPLETALK founder Laura Jugelia, Sergey Safronov.

What inspires you?
My own children as an incessant flow of fantasy. Major events. Something epochal, something that makes history. I also love to travel. I like the road itself as a way to reset and recharge myself.

Were there any interesting or funny cases on your set?
I guess it's hard to surprise a mother of three! Usually, it's the parents themselves who are more surprised, from "he/she doesn't take a pacifier from us" (and in fact she does!) to "how does he/she sleep like that". A bit of magic, that's all! I also do a lot of swaddling on set. Once I even swaddled a bunny. (Laughs.)

Have clients ever been unhappy for some reason?
I won't hide it - yes. I want to put it down to the swaying hormones of a mother, but after all, we're all different. We all have different expectations. Some people are happy that he had wrinkles photoshopped around the eyes, and someone needs them in the photo. Of course, I am always open to dialogue and try to do my best to keep the client happy!

How is the shooting done?
I usually come directly to the home of my main client and his parents. Yes, it would be more comfortable in the studio, but my own comfort shouldn't come first! I change my clothes and sanitize my hands. I get to know the mom and the baby. I make sure to make a connection with him: I take him in my arms so that the baby gets used to his new person. I set up the equipment, and arrange all the necessary props for the shoot. Together with their parents, we choose accessories for the photo session. And then some magic for baby posing and helping him fall asleep. It is difficult to describe it in words. If you are a mom, you'd better see this process in person! And if you're a photographer, you should come to my master class! At the moment, I have plans to focus on a few special projects. I'll keep it a secret for now... All the results will be on my website and Instagram page.

Stopping the Moment:

An Interview with Photographer and Thrice-Mother Esther Gelman

Mother of three Esther Gelman is much better known to the general public under the nickname @dreaming_newborn. Yes, yes, this is the photographer to whom almost all our stars from Miroslava Duma to Anastasia Vinokur entrust their first photos of their newborn babies. Because only Esther knows how to take a picture, from which it is impossible to take your eyes off, to hide a smile, and you want to have another baby right away. How it all began, and the main sources of her inspiration, Esther told in an interview with Dochki-Materi.

Where did you study and what was your initial profession?

I studied in Moscow and qualified as a lawyer. In my chosen field I managed to work for a few years, quite successfully, in the administration of the head of a large city near Moscow.

Was motivating your passion for baby photography the birth of your own children? How did it all begin?

I've been interested in photography for a long time, from the age of 10 I assisted my mother who was also enthusiastic about the art of photography. I really liked the process of making photographs in my home laboratory - at that time the process of developing photographs was like real alchemy and was covered in mystery. In the end, by my college days, I was a well-prepared amateur photographer, and the choice of subjects was extremely wide.
Of course, the first child of my own was the natural motivation for my passion for photographing babies: every new day saw a change in my newborn daughter, and I thought that by photographing babies, it was as if I were photographing Time itself.
But my first impulse to try photographing children came, oddly enough, not at home, but while looking at old photographs of children at the flea market at the gate of Santa Felipe in Palermo. The color faded black and white photos, the children in vintage outfits, in lace and bonnets, all of which spurred my imagination and stimulated a real desire.

But have you ever taken any professional courses/studied photography?

Yes, in addition to the first volunteer mentor - my mother, who I have already mentioned, I had a number of professional teachers, who helped me to gain the necessary theoretical and professional skills in various areas of photography, and to whom I am very grateful to this day. I attended one of my last professional photography courses at the Photoplay photography school, and the teachers there are amazing people who share all their experiences.
I have kept on learning - it's an ongoing and natural process. In 2015, I was planning to start studying at the New York school of photography (school of the international center of photography), but my Napoleonic plans were interrupted by the insistence of the birth of my third child, my son Arthur.

Who is your favorite photographer? Whose work particularly inspired you?

There really isn't one, my favorite. I love the work of "fabulous photographer" Tim Walker, who works in the fashion portrait genre. Of course, Annie Leibovitz, Patrick Demarchelier, Mario Testino, Richard Avedon... To me, these are powerful authorities and giants.
Of the "newborn photographers," I especially highlight Kelly Brown and Kelly Ryden who are seekers and talents.

Do you style your own shoots or do you work in a team with a stylist and set designer?

I do the styling of my projects myself, and I buy accessories for my shoots or design and create them myself, too, for the most part.
At the very beginning of my journey, I even tried to knit accessories myself, but this is a very time-consuming activity. As a result, I have found a knitter who meets all my needs. Sometimes it seems to me that I am a very capricious customer, but the girls do everything, even anticipating my expectations.

...

"...Lunch: The whole family is assembled to receive guests - Emmanuel Vitorgan and his wife. The grandfather thinks: "The grandson looks like me. But Sobchak's friends, to whom she showed Platon's photo, claim: the boy is a copy of Maxim. At a family dinner, everyone is looking at the first photo session of the baby. It was made by a famous Moscow photographer Esther Gelman (the price of such photos - from 40 thousand rubles). The grandparents spoil Platon with toys and the baby's dowry will last a couple of years as family friends and brands gave Vitorgan Jr. For example, Sobchak's friend Natalia Vodianova gave Platon things from Baby Dior collection for newborns...".

"... Esther Gelman (@dreaming_newborn). Cost: from $3000.

Esther, a mother of three children, has got baby photo albums with model Elena Perminova, ballerina Anastasia Vinokur, Oksana Bondarenko ("Li-Lu"), Polina Kitsenko (Podium), presenter Tata Bondarchuk, public figure, TV anchor, journalist, socialite and actress Ksenia Sobchak, socialite Victoria Borisevich. Esther's specialty is newborn photography. According to tradition, Gelman takes the photo session fourteen days after birth, while the baby is sleeping a lot. But for latecomers, according to Victoria Borisevich, prudent Esther prepares three suitcases with soothing and lulling gadgets and three more with outfits and cashmere blankets. By the way, the photography by Esther - is the best gift for a baby shower, though signing up for a star photographer is better as soon as know the due date of delivery - about seven months ahead. The schedule is not a bug sneezed on!"

Esther is much better known to the public under the nickname @dreaming_newborn. Yes, she is the first newborn photographer, with whom this type of photography became popular in Russia. Now Esther is trusted to photograph their newborn babies by pop stars, the fashion industry, theater, film, and ballet stars.
As Esther writes: "I've been photographing meaningfully for about 15 years. I've been photographing newborns for the last 5-6 years. I went to photography schools of all kinds. And with their guidance, I realized that I want to do newborn photography!
I have ambitious plans next! They are in the planning and consulting stage. But it's going to be something amazing!"Esther is passionate about family. "I don't have time to be distracted by anything else but work and family! And as a hobby, traveling. I really like to go somewhere and live there for a long time, feel like a resident of that city..."

1. If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Personally, I would like to be able to split or otherwise copy myself so that I could enjoy the company of my family all day long and do the things I love.
Savva (middle son) wants to fight pirates and be able to fly!
Agatha (the oldest) wants everything to work out!
I'm not sure if the kids have the right idea of what superpowers mean!

2. What are your favorite candies/sweet treats?
"Birds of a Feather (aka bird or bird's milk) Generally, we have a big family sweet tooth!

3. Favorite cartoon character(s)?
Children more often ask for cartoons about Rescue bots, Curious George and Justin time (I'm not sure if there are analogs in Russian)
But these are kids and their tastes are very changeable!

4. What would you never wear?
What I wouldn't feel comfortable in.

5. What can't be too much in a closet?
For me - polo shirts and jeans.
For Agatha, leggings!
And for the boys, it doesn't matter at all!

"Ksenia Sobchak started to introduce her son to the rules of secular life. For example, she arranged his first photo shoot. At first, she posted a photo with her son's hand on social media.
When the baby was a month old, mom and Platon went to a professional full-fledged photo shoot.
According to the celebrity magazine StarHit, the baby's first photographer was Esther Gelman. This is a Russian newborn photographer in Moscow. She has her own conditions - she takes the picture on the 14th day after birth when the baby is still sleeping a lot.
If a baby gets fussy, she provides gadgets to entertain and distract him, as well as cashmere blankets.
For 50 thousand rubles parents get a ready-made photo album.
Gelman's celebrity clients include Elena Perminova, Galina Yudashkina, Anastasia Vinokur, Tata Bondarchuk, and many others.
Relatives and friends of the couple Sobchak-Vitogan are sure that two-month-old Platon looks just like his father. Ksenia is not offended by such a remark. On the contrary, she is fully immersed in motherhood, which has greatly changed her. ..."

... "A month after the baby was born, Sobchak arranged Platon's first photo shoot in his life - to capture the baby for the family archive. The TV presenter entrusted her son to one of the best Moscow newborn photographers - Esther Gelman. Her photo shoot costs about 50 thousand rubles.
Among her star clients are Elena Perminova, Galina Yudashkina, Anastasia Vinokur, Tata Bondarchuk and many others. Usually Esther shoots on the 14th day after the baby's birth when the baby is still sleeping a lot. And for the most capricious, the thoughtful photographer prepares three suitcases of soothing gadgets and "outfits" of cashmere blankets. On the way out, parents receive not just commemorative cards, but an entire beautifully designed photo book."...