Darius Bashar
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Toronto Portrait Photographer || HEARTshots || Black + White Photography

Memoirs and musings of Darius Bashar. Toronto portrait photographer and writer, in pursuit of all things real, raw and intimate. 

Trudi Sigfusson {Coach OF THE WEEK}

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This is Trudi. She is a magical human being that radiates warmth and kindness.

Which is something that makes Trudi very special. Because here’s the thing…

As most of us go through life, we encounter many reasons for us to close down and protect our hearts. Breakups, betrayals, illness, death, divorces, bankruptcies and a million other pains. And if we allow it, life can really harden us.

So when I run into humans like Trudi, who have been around the block and still feel radically open, I can’t help but marvel.

I know that it takes courage to stay open and soften with every passing year. And it takes tremendous courage to let your child-self roam free and stay wild. Yet when I’m around Trudi, everything feels possible. I can see and feel her glowing when we’re in the same room.

Trudi my friend, I honour and celebrate you.

7 QUESTIONS WITH TRUDI SIGFUSSON

  1. Describe your coaching approach in 2-3 sentences

    Through curious questions and engaging conversation I lead my clients on a journey of discovery and activation. We shine the light on your unique gifts and how you can bring them forth into the world, to live the life you’ve always known was possible!

  2. What's one thing about you that would surprise people if they knew?

    My story is a “rags to riches” one.... and when I was 4 years old, a spirit came to me and re-assured me that my life would not always be this way. Even at the tender age of four, I knew there had to be MORE!

  3. When you were 10 years old, what did you want to be?

    A flight attendant

  4. How would your mom/dad describe what you do for a living (their words, NOT yours)

    Oh this is a funny one—my mom would say that I have a lot of people that are always calling me or buzzing me on my phone! She would also say that I fly places to talk to people! As she asks, “Where are you going now?”

  5. When do you feel most alive?

    When I am sliding across my hardwood floor “jamming out” to my favourite tunes!

  6. Who is your favourite type of person to coach?

    My favourite person to coach has an inner knowing that their life can be MORE! They are open to new concepts and possibilities!

  7. Name one book that changed your life:

    Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza

HOW TO CONNECT WITH TRUDI

Instagram: @trudikim

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trudi-sigfusson-a4274191/

Any new and exciting things coming up that you want to share?

I am offering 30-minute Activation Sessions at $130 CAD or packages of 3 for $350 CAD. I also have openings for interviews in October, if there are any fun and relevant podcasts looking for a guest.

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The One Tip That No One Will Tell You To Help you Take Better Photos

No one else will tell you this. Are you ready for this week’s #TipTuesday?

On the surface this tip sounds ridiculous and you might have a strong reaction against it.

Also, it only applies to people who DO NOT enjoy having their photos taken (so pretty much everyone I work with).

But hear me out, because this is a game-changer for so much more than photos. It works for essentially anything that scares you.

This tip is also easy to dismiss, but if you are willing to actually observe your feelings when you take a photo (or do something that scares you), you will see just how VALUABLE this tip is.

Enjoy!

Here's a tip that no one else will ever tell you for taking better photos. It's a game changer. #betterselfies #howtotakebetterphotos #selflovecoach

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My Obsession: Hiding VS Being Seen

(If you’re interested in learning how the black and white portraits came to be, click here to read the full story.)

—> Every single person I photograph has two things in common.

Sure, on the surface we’re all unique. Different ethnicities, ages, genders, body types, upbringings, occupations and pretty much anything else you can imagine.

But there are two things that show up in every shoot I’ve ever done—no matter what the person looks like.

  1. Every person has a piece of themselves they desperately want to hide.

  2. Every person, to varying degrees, has a desire to be fully seen.

The contradiction between these two parts of ourselves creates a tension.

And that tension is my obsession. Because it exists in everybody.

My process as a photographer plays right at this crossroads. The part of us that wants to hide and be safe. And the part of us that is so sick and tired of hiding. This is where the magic happens.

And if you’re willing to take a risk, sit in the discomfort, and let people see you in a place of vulnerability and sincerity, you’ll walk away feeling stronger, lighter, and able to access more of yourself.

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There Is No Such Thing As Confusion

Are you ready to hear a controversial, mind-blowing concept?

Take a deep breath. Open your mind.

And when you’re ready, I want you to consider the following:

—> There is NO such thing as CONFUSION.

—> There is ONLY absolute CLARITY.

If you’re scrolling or just skimming through, slow down for a sec. Read that again and see if it lands.

What would it mean if every time you thought you were confused, it was just your unconscious mind trying to convince you to back down as a coping mechanism?

What would it mean if confusion was your unconscious mind wanting you to move AWAY from the unknown and step back into what is familiar? (Even if the familiar is harming you or holding you back from your true potential.)

Game. Changer.

This idea was shared with me during my Archangel MBA coaching call yesterday with David Neagle. I’ll be honest, I hadn’t heard of David before our group call, but this man fully blew my mind. He is a best-selling author and a veteran mindset coach who helps frustrated, worried and overwhelmed small business owners be confident and in control of their results. David’s promise is that he turns people’s yearly income into their monthly income. BOLD claim right!?

I’ve heard so many experts speak on the topic of money and breaking through limiting beliefs, but there was something totally different about David’s approach. It cut through my walls and vibrated through every cell. I took away so much from this 90-minute group coaching session. 

David shared so much wisdom and so many practical tips, but none more powerful than this radical idea:

That there is NO such thing as CONFUSION. 

All day yesterday (and even in my dream last night) this pervasive idea worked its way through me. 

Who would I be if I always had access to absolute clarity? 

What would my life look like if I could confidently step into the unknown, and didn’t need to exert any “panic energy” when I was attempting something new and bold? 

Do you buy it? 

Is it possible confusion is a totally made-up human concept?

Let me know what you think.

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Keep Going
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Sometimes I get to my computer in the morning to write a new social media post and I don’t feel anything. Or more accurately, I feel anxious and unsure, because I have no clue what to write. 

In those moments, my commitment of sharing valuable and REAL content 5 times a week feels impossible.

A part of me has resistance to this kind of writing because this part of me remembers what it feels like to flow. Those joyous moments when the words just pour out of me. 

This part of me revolts. 

“I hate this. It feels forced. It feels fake. People will know. No one will like this.”

And of course, what that part of me is really concerned with is no one will like me. 

He wants me to take the day off. To rest. To do anything else, besides this uncomfortable task. 

Today was one of those days. 

I struggled. I was full of uncertainty, doubt and frustration. Then, I looked at my whiteboard that sits 2 feet away from my desk. There is a picture of my dream client on that board and a few sentences on how I want her to feel when she interacts with my content.

One of the sentences on my whiteboard states: “Darius is honest and REAL.” 

And so with that, I decided to share this REAL post on how it can be a struggle to share some days. A part of me wishes it was juicer and attention grabbing. A big breakthrough or deep wisdom. But it’s not. It’s just me sharing how challenging it can be to stay consistent. And sharing with you that there are days when I just want to stay in bed and keep to myself. 

But I know momentum is a wonderful thing. It takes time to get the train moving in the right direction. Especially if it was standing completely still. So when it is moving forward, even if at a slow pace, it is important to keep going. Even on the tough days when you feel uninspired and unfocused. 

Maybe I needed to release this energy and this post to help make space for something else. Maybe tomorrow will be just as difficult. 

Or maybe, just maybe that wonderful and effortless flow will find me and we will dance once again. 

Regardless, I am going to keep going. 

Do you have any tips for how you keep pushing through on days when your parts are not feeling it? I know I am not the only one that experience these days. 

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐎 𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐒:

For anyone who feels called to working together, now is the time to do so. Follow the link below for all the details on my amazing promo this month while it’s still up. --> www.dariusbashar.com/heart-shots

PS: Payment plans also available. :)

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Daniel Goodman {Speaker of The Week}

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I have only officially known Dan for 53 weeks, but I can say with absolute certainty that I love this man. 

Yes he’s creative, and smart, and uses the fanciest words I have ever heard.

But that is not why I love him. 

I love Dan because his eyes sparkle pure love every time I see him.

I love Dan because he teaches me about what it means to be a conscious man in 2019. 

I love Dan because he challenges me to explore my own privilege. 

I love Dan because he says YES to my crazy ideas, like Artist Warrior King or even SpeakerSlam.  

I love Dan for way too many reasons to list, but for now, here’s a bit more on my brother from another mother, Dan Goodman. 

Name: Daniel Goodman

Professional speakers since: 2019

Besides speaking what is your main gig? Creative designer, writer, music producer.

Total number of (professional) talks given: 2

What do you speak about?

I speak about the intersection of creativity and wellness, vulnerability, and the blurring social dynamics between professional and personal lives. As a creative person living with cerebral palsy, I’ve always been handed labels and expectations I’ve fought to resist. That’s why I called my company The Hyphenate, because it’s ultimately about acknowledging that people are more than just their labels and they can transcend these barriers.

I focus on changing your narrative so your creativity isn't hindered by limiting beliefs, either those handed to you externally by society or those internalized by yourself, and instead finding practices and beliefs that empower you and propel you in what you want to create.

8 QUESTIONS WITH DANIEL GOODMAN

  1. When you were 10 years old, what did you want to be?

    I wanted to be a professional musician and tour the world like a rockstar! Whether that becomes true is anyone’s guess.

  2. Name one unexpected thing that people might not know about you.

    I used to train as a Paralympic athlete-in-training for wheelchair track and field with Athletics Canada.

  3. Name one podcast or artist you're currently enjoying listening to:

    Music is pivotal to my process. But one artist? That’s rough. Right now, I’m listening to the ambient electronic soundscapes of Four Tet while I write. I’m also a podcast fiend! Currently on deck? I’m enjoying Feist’s Pleasure Studies, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, and Revisionist History.

  4. What is the BEST advice you've ever received about speaking?

    Oddly enough, from my oracle brother and the author of this interview, Darius Bashar: “People don’t want to understand you. They want to be understood!” This kernel of wisdom is key to what I do, and drives me towards what I love: human connection.

  5. Name one thing that makes you feel vulnerable to talk about that you feel others should know:

    I’m very self-conscious of how I look and navigate through the world. I also struggle with social anxiety, despite many people telling me I have great charisma. Truthfully, I get very nervous speaking to groups of people, which is why speaking on a stage is so cathartic!

  6. What is one common misconception people might have about you?

    Usually people think I’m more serious based on my social media presence and business tact, but in reality, I love being playful in work, my personal life, and any social setting. This year has been about pushing my edge and owning my space by being authentic to myself. Some of that transformation has only came once I started to loosen up a little and run the risk of seeming a little silly.

  7. What is the biggest challenge you are currently working on?

    Expressing anger healthily. I used to be a massive people pleaser. This resulted in a lot of difficulties in establishing boundaries and expressing when I felt hurt or misunderstood because I felt like I didn’t deserve the space or couldn’t take up that amount of oxygen in the dynamic. Because I felt misunderstood and disempowered growing up, I now strive to hold space for others in teaching them how to do it for themselves.

  8. When do you feel most alive?

    I feel most alive when I express or share my art publicly and see how it positively affects others. Seeing my craft and communication style open others up to empower themselves, to elevate their own art and take the leap, or look at the chaotic calculus of life from a different angle, is a really rewarding aspect of my work. I always like to ponder if we looked at positive impact in the same way we looked at financial influence, that instead of possessing a million dollars, what if we changed the lives of a million people in some way for the better? That would be extraordinary!

HOW TO CONNECT WITH DANIEL

Newsletter: The Hyphenate

Instagram: @bydanielgoodman

Something New And Exciting Coming Up For Daniel:

Later this year, I’m revealing a fresh brand identity and relaunched website for my freelance media and creative management business, The Hyphenate, alongside an accompanying blog & podcast on the creative process, flow states, and meaningful conversation called Making Matter. Stay tuned for the development of that, and if you’d like to be involved, please reach out via email!

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Chasing Summer

Summer is not gone; summer was never here.

You see, summer is just a belief. And like all other beliefs before it, summer is at best a made-up concept.

All beliefs are made-up and therefore all beliefs are bullshit. But all beliefs are also true, if you put enough energy into them.

So I choose to believe summer will continue in my heart for as long as I can remember…

  • the warmth of my beloveds morning kisses

  • the sounds of the farmers market

  • the rejoicing and tears from the pews, as we celebrated their forever love

  • the smells of the pine trees at the cottage

  • the floating in the trees as we watched the sunset

I know I can’t hold onto summer forever, but I also know that today will not be the day I let her go.

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48 Hour Flash Sale

For the next 48 hours (until Saturday at 12pm)

I am offering an additional $100 off my HEARTshots. 

When you add that to the already amazing summer promo pricing, you will get a total of $650 of SAVINGS. (spots are limited!)

BUT… and there is a big but…

To qualify for the additional discount you need to currently be working as one or more of the following:

  1. A coach

  2. A speaker

  3. A healer

You also need to be in a place where you are ready and able to take on new clients. If you are already at 100% capacity then this isn’t for you, but if you are sincerely at a place in your business where you are excited and ready to LEVEL-UP big then I want to chat. 

Why am I offering this deal to coaches, speakers and healers? Great question. 

Here’s 3 reasons:

  1. You are my people. I designed an entire process specially made for you. 90% of everyone I worked with this summer falls into this category and I know how to take photos that will help you grow your business. I have done it over 100 times for people just like you in the past year alone. It works! Not for everyone, but DEFINITELY for coaches, speakers and healers.

  2. You guys are changing the world and I know that my best chance to make a massive impact on this planet is by fanning your fires.

  3. I love you. Seriously. I know it sounds funny, but after working intimately with coaches, speakers and healers for the past 10 years through organizations such as TEDxToronto, Talk Boutique, SpeakerSlam, Archangel Summit, Elite Speakers Academy, EvolveHolistic, SocialLight and many others, I can say with absolute confidence that any human that is willing to dedicate their lives to sharing their HEART, their wisdom and their messy parts with the world, is someone I adore. This takes courage. This takes tenacity. This takes an unrelenting hunger for continual growth. You people teach me so much. You inspire the shit out of me every single day. You humble me. You elevate me and make me laugh so hard I sound like a donkey…true story. :) If I am going to fully commit myself to any group of people IT IS YOU.

So, if you are on the fence… this is me lovingly, gently nudging you over. I can help you. I know how to take photos that will connect you to your dream client/customer/audience. 

If you are ready to grow your impact, make more money and to continue sharing your magic with the world, direct message me with the word “ready”. 

And remember, we don’t need to do the photoshoot right away. You can book the shoot for up to 6 months out and lock in this INSANELY great PROMO price. 

SUMMER PROMO DEETS:

For anyone who feels called to working together, now is the time to do so. Follow the link below for all the details on my amazing promo this month while it’s still up. --> www.dariusbashar.com/heart-shots

PS: Payment plans also available. :)

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My Prices Are About To Go Up

Have you been on the fence about getting your HEARTshots?

I get comments and emails every single day from so many amazing humans. These are people who love my work, people who resonate with the concept of HEARTshots, and people who send me messages like this:

“One day I will for sure book a session with you, Darius. But right now I’m a bit shy.”

Well, if you’re ready to take that leap and share your glorious heart with the world, I wanted to give you a little extra incentive to do so sooner than later.

You might not know this, but my prices always go up at the end of the summer… which is technically September 1st. But I’m doing things differently this month.

Since this was the best summer ever for my business where I got to take HEARTshots with over 60 different epic humans, I wanted to share some of that love and extend my awesome summer promo price for one more month.

SUMMER PROMO PRICING IS OFFICIALLY EXTENDED UNTIL SEPT 30th

For anyone who feels called to working together, now is the time to do so. Follow the link below for all the details on my amazing promo this month while it’s still up. --> www.dariusbashar.com/heart-shots

Save hundreds on my most popular photography package.

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Step Forward

Sometimes the only way through is by taking a deep breath, opening your eyes, and stepping into that which scares the fuck out of you.

𝗪𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐀 𝗪𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐓𝐎𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑?

For anyone that feels called to working together, I have an amazing promo this month. See the link below for all the deets --> www.dariusbashar.com/heart-shots

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