Here’s a secret to taking better photos and videos on social media:

No one wants you to be perfect.

They’d rather you be real.

Because people don’t trust perfect—perfect is unbelievable.

→ That means you’re allowed to fumble a word or two in your videos.

→ That means you can show people your playful side or even your messy side.

→ That means putting your guard down and letting people feel and see your heart.

Real is trustworthy, because real is relatable.

Take a look at your instagram feed and ask yourself, is there a part of the real you missing from your social media?

I did this a few years back and realized that all my posts were super serious.

For some reason, my silliness and my joy were totally missing—and if you’ve ever met me in real life you’ll know just how silly and joyful I can be. I needed to share more of the real Darius with the world.

Because humans are multi-dimensional. We have MANY sides to us.

When I look at these photos of Charles (@for.men.of.color), I see range. I see a coach and leader who is strong, but I also see a softer side. The photos show his depth and wisdom, but his fun and joyful sides also come through.

It’s not just authentic and honest for the sake of it—it’s a super smart business decision too.

His prospective clients are able to sense who Charles really is and what it’s like to work with him. This creates closeness and trust.

When we open our hearts and show people who we really are, we allow them to more quickly and effectively decide if our energy and vibe is what they’re looking for in their life.

Not everyone will be into who you really are—that’s just life. But the right people will step forward and want to learn more.

It requires courage to take up space and share your light with the world. But each time you do, not only does it get easier, but the world also gets brighter.

If you’d like some support in sharing more of your light and your gifts with the world, I’d love to chat. I have a great photography promo this month. You can click here for more info —> https://www.dariusbashar.com/heartshots

Big love,

D

I’m going to let you in on a secret: I rarely work with real estate agents or realtors. Because the type of photos they’re usually looking for aren’t the type of photos I usually take.

Additionally, real estate professionals aren’t as interested in my unique process, which involves getting to know each other. We do a deep dive into what your intentions are with the photos and how you want your audience to FEEL when they experience the final results.

My dream clients love this process. They see that it benefits their brand to be asked such questions and explore the answers in depth.

To be honest, when I’ve shared my process with real estate agents and realtors in the past, they look at me like I’m speaking a different language. Or worse… they try to break the process and do it the way they’re used to instead, which is a more in-and-out, transactional experience.

The good news is that Zack (@zackfenwick_7) is no typical realtor. From our first Zoom call it was clear he understood the value of breaking off from the pack and differentiating himself from his peers.

It was also clear that he is significantly more successful than the average realtor. Through our photoshoot and our deep conversations I learned a lot about Zack and his dedication to his business.

There was a clarity about Zack. He has focus and discipline. But there was also an ease with him, that in my experience only comes with true self-belief.

From what Zack shared about his origin story, his success isn’t an accident or luck: It’s a result of his commitment to health, to family, to how he runs his business, and how he runs his life.

He knows who he is and what he wants, and it was an honour to help him take photos that would help him along his path.

Zack, I enjoyed our time together and love the photos we co-created.

Big love,

D

PS: If there is something about these photos or my writing that calls to you, and you want to know more about working together, have a look at the link below (or the link in my bio on IG @dariusbashar). I would love to support your vision and help you share more of your gifts with the world. —> https://www.dariusbashar.com/heartshots

Theano had a bold vision. Which makes sense, because Theano is a bold woman.

Although it was our first time working together, my photoshoot with Theano (@eroticmenopause) was one I will never forget.

We had many Zoom chats before the shoot to prepare. The HEARTshots™ photography process involves many conversations where we get crystal clear on intentions, goals, and vision for the photos.

The plan was ambitious, but it was clear that Theano trusted the process. By planning ahead, we create a safety structure which allowed us to let go and flow on the day of the shoot.

Theano took all the insights and lessons from our Zoom chats and did her homework. When she showed up that day her energy was clear, grounded, and present.

We also had an amazing team to support us:

• Kelly (@kellyd.makeup) killed it with hair and makeup. One of my favourite things about Kelly is how much time she spends getting to know a client’s personality and brand before a shoot.

• We booked two spacious and distinct rooms at Mint Room Studios (@mintroomstudios), one of my favourite studios in Toronto.

• My two assistants, Sean and Misha (@misha_ras) were super dialed in.

Together, we tapped into a powerful group flow. We were 5 people working as one consciousness, allowing Theano to reveal her most magnetic self to the world.

There are so many bold, powerful and sensual photos in this collection, which makes sense because Theano is a Certified Authentic Tantra Practitioner.

What really stood out to me on set is how much we laughed and played together. Playfulness is one of the best tools I know to achieving great photos, even when the end goal is a more serious tone.

Thank you Theano for bringing your radiant light and open heart to this collaboration. It was an absolute blast, and I can’t wait for our next co-creation.

Big love,

D

PS: If there is something about these photos or my writing that calls to you, and you want to know more about working together, have a look at the link below (or the link in my bio on IG @dariusbashar). I would love to support your vision and help you share your gifts with the world. —> https://www.dariusbashar.com/heartshots

I love all types of artists. But authors hold a special place in my heart.

Maybe it’s because I love books so much.

Or maybe it’s because I romanticize the writing process.

To tell stories, build characters and the worlds they live in, with as little as a notebook and a pen—that looks liberating to me.

I think most people want to write a book. But I’m guessing only 0.01% of people actually do.

(Which only makes me love and respect authors even more.)

I imagine getting to the finish line as an author takes tremendous strength and courage.

You have to be strong enough to go into the depths of your heart and find your truth. And then you have to be courageous enough to speak your truth in your own authentic voice.

As a photographer, I’ve had the honour of working with probably 100 authors in my career: some who’ve written New York Times best sellers, and others still working on their first book.

Of all those writers, none have published as many books as my friend, the patron saint of authors, Angela Lauria (@drangelalauria).

Since 1994, she’s helped almost 2,000 entrepreneurs write, publish, and promote their books. Her clients’ books have received over 10 million reads and $100 million in cumulative revenue.

She’s also one of the most interesting humans to talk to. Her life feels like a movie. In fact, they actually made a documentary film about her life a few years back.

These photos are from our shoot in the Hollywood Hills in 2020, right before the pandemic started.

I am grateful that there are guides like Angela helping aspiring authors bring their creative babies into the world.

Thank you Angela for all the inspiration, conversations and laughs over the years.

Love you friend,

D

PS: If you’re an author or have plans to become one in the next year or two, I’d love to support your book launch with photos that showcase your most confident and magnetic self to the world. I specialize in working with emerging thought leaders and would love to chat. I have a great promo this month as well. Here’s the link —> dariusbashar.com/heartshots or if you are seeing this on Instagram, the link is in my bio (@dariusbashar).

When two dancers can find a moment of flow and freedom together, they leave their minds and get swooped up by something beyond themselves.

It’s beyond thinking, beyond logic, beyond practicality.

When I started taking black and white portraits 9 years ago, I was a very different human. There was a part of me that was lost.

Despite having many wonderful people in my life, I felt a deep sense of loneliness. I think this was because I didn’t really know who I was, and at the time I was afraid to go inwards and find out.

In hindsight, the black and white portraits series I started 9 years ago was an attempt to learn more about myself by looking deep within others.

I spent hundreds of hours with humans of all backgrounds, ages, sizes, ethnicities; each person who sat in front of my camera taught me something about my own journey. In each person I would see myself, and to be honest I think they could see themselves in me too.

It was a surprising (and often beautiful) transcendent experience of two people becoming one… and then almost become none.

That might sound strange. Because it is. There’s nothing normal about it, but it’s the most beautifully strange and moving experience I have ever felt.

Sometimes it feels like the most amazing dance.

I often look back and ask myself, “How did we even take those photos?! I don’t remember any of it.” I think this is because we were in flow and something beyond us was working through us.

I am so grateful for all the dance partners I have had over the years:

All the humans who have trusted me to take them on this magical journey. 🙏🏽

If there is something about my photos or my writing that calls to you and you’d like to learn more about these dances, then let’s chat. I have a great promo for my HEARTshots this month. Here’s the link www.dariusbashar.com or if you are seeing this on Instagram the link is in my bio (@dariusbashar).

Big love,

D

PS: Special shoutout to the amazing human in the photos, my “little bro” who I trust and love deeply, the one and only Brandon Ferguson.

Most of my clients are emerging thought-leaders: authors, coaches, speakers and business leaders. Usually their brands call for photos in a relaxed professional studio setting. My studio is great for this because it’s both bright and vibrant, and also creative and professional.

Many of my clients also need to capture lifestyle shots to round out their branding, and this can be achieved with outdoor photoshoots.

Last year, for the first time ever, I offered clients the option of doing both indoor and outdoor photoshoots in a SINGLE day.

I called them COMBO Shoots and last year I probably shot 15.

It was amazing.

What makes COMBO Shoots work is that they generate so many photos with such a wide range of energies—this could cover your photo branding needs for years.

We also have a ton of cost savings when we do it all in one day and I’m sure clients love that part too.

Here you can see one of my favourite COMBO Shoots from last year.

This was the first day Brenda (@theearclinic) and I met in real life. We had a few Zoom calls to prepare for the shoot, but hadn’t actually met.

Let me tell you: Brenda came to win.

She embraced all my notes and guidance on how to prepare for the photoshoot and she fully leaned into the experience.

All the time and energy we spend in pre-production (before the shoot day) is so important because for most of my clients, this is their first professional photoshoot.

I’ve had the honour of working with hundreds of people and have taken over 1,000,000 photos to date. As you can imagine, that leads to many tips and strategies for future clients to have a better experience and walk away with better photos.

It’s a lot of fun sharing these tips with clients and watching their confidence grow throughout the day.

Watching Brenda continue to step into her power and confidence was a thing of beauty.

If you’d like to learn more and explore working together this spring or summer, check out my promo page —> dariusbashar.com/heartshots. Or if you are seeing this on Instagram, the link is in my bio.

My summer shoot days book up fast, so if you feel called, don’t wait too long.

Big love,

D

We are all works of art.
We are not broken; these are just scars.

Don’t listen to the stories.
Listen to your heart.

The words above are from Andrea Florian’s song, Works of Art.

Andrea has been making music since 1996 and has released 5 albums and 58 songs. But like many of us, Andrea’s journey was not a straight line.

After years of touring, Andrea decided to take several years away from pursuing music professionally. She got married and raised 3 children with her husband. She also founded her real estate company, Florian Realty.

Yet, through all the ups and downs of life, Andrea would always find her way back to music.

On her website, she says, "Music has always been my heart’s language, an expression of my journey through life’s ebbs and flows."

I had the honour of working with Andrea in 2023 and it was an experience that left me incredibly inspired.

Because sometimes as we get older, we lose ourselves.

Sometimes all the busyness of life takes up our focus and attention.

We have responsibility, families, jobs, businesses, loved ones.

So it’s that much more important to slow down and connect with our hearts… to really listen and feel if there is a longing, a desire, or a creation that wants to be expressed.

I have dozens of guided meditations on very topic.

If you need help carving out time to connect with your heart or are craving a deeper journey, please send me a message. My HEARTshots Photography Experience is built for exactly this.

You can also visit the link in my bio for more info about HEARTshots —> @dariusbashar

My superpower is helping humans (usually over the age of 40 and 50) remember how powerful, how beautiful, how wise they truly are.

Big love,

D

PS: Huge thank you Andrea for this incredible song and for allowing me to support you on this next chapter of your journey.

PPS: If you have time today, search for “Andrea Florian” on your music streaming service and play her latest single Works of Art.

Hair and makeup by Kelly Davidson (@kellyd.makeup)
Styling by Caprice Conners (@capricestylist)

About 90% of my clients are female entrepreneurs, many of which are also incredible mothers, grandmothers and caregivers of some sort.

Sometimes I feel like the best photography training I ever got was growing up in a household with 7 wonderful women.

I was the only male for most of my youth.

I witnessed and learned so much from watching these smart, strong, expressive women:

• Unflinching commitment to family

• Work ethic and the ability to juggle so many balls at once

• Loving with a gigantic heart

• Boldness / not taking shit from anyone

Nowadays, I see many of these traits in my clients.

I have no idea what it’s like to be a mother, but from what my clients tell me, it often means prioritizing your family.

I saw my own mother do this all the time. And her tremendous sacrifices deeply impacted me.

Whether my clients are are mothers or not, one thing that is constant about them is that they take care of a lot of other humans. They have these giant hearts and support and care for so many people.

This is one of the reasons I love using my HEARTshots photography experience to carve out dedicated time just for my clients. The entire experience is 100% about them.

HEARTshots are a temporary pause on all the caregiving, so that we can place some much deserved attention and care on them. This often fills their cups and allows them to continue doing the great work they do in the world.

The photos below are from a recent photoshoot I did with Ilana Cohen, who very much reminded me of the women in my family.

She is smart, driven and generous.

Ilana is at an exciting new chapter in her career. She runs 2 businesses and they are both growing and showing tremendous potential. She is stepping further into her power and using her background as a lawyer and her own very personal life experiences to help others.

It was so much fun to work with Ilana. I can’t wait to see where she goes from here.

Big love,

D

PS: If you want to learn more about working together take a look at the link in my bio. I currently have a great promo.

Hello dear friends,

I have a BIG update I am excited to share with you.

After careful consideration, I have decided to focus my photographer services on a single offer.

No more packages. No more mini-photoshoots. Just one clear and simple service for a super well defined audience.

After taking over 1,000,000 photos, I have gained crystal-clear insight on my style of photography, my creative coaching process, and who my services are most effective for.

And here it is…

My HEARTshots™ Experience helps emerging thought leaders grow their impact and their income.

To be more specific, my HEARTshots™ process is built from the ground up to give clarity, confidence, and momentum to emerging authors, speakers, coaches and artists.

The word “emerging” is key.

If you are about to launch something new (a course, a program, a book, a speaking circuit, a website) and you want to level-up your brand, then you are EXACTLY who I want to support.

This levelling-up can be hard. It’s easy to get stuck and and revert back to playing small.

On the surface people think photography is simply just about looking good on camera, but it’s so much more than that. It’s an opportunity to really see yourself. With the right guide and the right process you can find paths to deeper support and love for yourself, which will help you gain momentum for your launch.

To successfully step into a new expanded and evolved version of yourself (aka “Future You”) you will need to let go of old thoughts, beliefs and judgements that no longer serve you. This requires a lot more than just photography.

In my opinion this is where I can help you the most. And yes, you will receive beautiful and magnetic photos—I am a skilled photographer.

But much more importantly you will have a seasoned self-expression, confidence and branding coach, by your side to help you lovingly stay focussed, stay clear and build momentum, so that you can make sure the photos are authentically you.

Everything you need to know about my self-expression coaching and photography process can be found on my new website.

Have a look at my new website. The link is in my bio.

Big love,

D

I am looking for 5 heart-centred people in the Greater Toronto Area who are open to significantly upgrading their online presence, so that they can connect with more of their dream clients.

My area of specialty is supporting speakers, authors, coaches, therapists and artists.

I have worked with hundreds and have taken over 900,000 photos of people all over the world.

The people I want to support the most are individuals who are committed to using their passion, wisdom and energy to positively impact the world.

I know how to help these people take photos that ACTUALLY FEEL and LOOK like their best selves.

If you are interested, click the link here which has all the details including pricing, examples, and a ton of testimonials.

Big love,

D