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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. 

9 Zoom Tips That Saved My Butt During COVID

Since April I have been hosting and facilitating Zoom groups 3–5 times EVERY single week. 

I did the math and that’s over 100 Zooms that I have lead for Artist, Creators and Meditators from around the world. 

As you can imagine doing the same thing 100+ times in a row will teach you things. I made so many mistakes, especially in the early days. 

My background is in photography and film, so holding space for 15–25 people several times a week could be REALLY.

This was made even more difficult because I can get really introverted and am SUPER sensitive to other people’s energies. 

With this How-To Video I share my 9 Best Zoom Facilitation Tips that have saved my BUTT during these past 100+ Zooms that I have lead during COVID. 

PS: If you like this video and would like to see more like it, subscribe to my YouTube channel. I will be sharing all sorts of FREE videos like this that will help you continue up-leveling your skills as a Creator. ⁣

PPS: Come meditate with me!!! → www.artitsmorning.com

Guided Meditation to BOOST CREATIVITY + Increase FOCUS

Hey Y'all! ⁣⁣⁣⁣

I wrote this mediation on Friday for the Artist Morning community. I really love this thing and wanted to share it with you awesome humans on Facebook too. ⁣⁣

It's great as a guide to help you calm any nervous energy down. It will also help you GET CLOSER TO YOU HEART and lastly, it's fun for any CREATORs out there who might be feeling unfocussed or stuck. ⁣⁣

From my heart to yours...

D ⁣⁣

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PS: If you dig the meditation and want to join us for a LIVE group meditation we meet Wednesdays and Fridays at 9am EST.

It's totally FREE to join. --> www.artistmorning.com

PPS: Subscribe to the Artist Morning YouTube page for weekly Guided Meditations and How-To Videos all made with the intention of HELPING HUMANS EXPRESS and CREATE. :) ⁣⁣

How To Look Better On Zoom (5 Simple Tricks)

Every day at least 2–3 people ask me about my Zoom setup.

As a professional cinematographer and photographer I definitely have an advantage when it comes to Zoom.

In this video I show you how the sausage gets made and share my entire Zoom setup—including my camera, lens, mic, monitor, mixer, and everything else I use for Zoom.

BUT more importantly I also share 5 tips to make YOUR Zoom calls look better. All of which will cost you nothing. None of the tips I use require you to buy any new tech and can be implemented immediately.

Hope you dig the video.

Much love,

D

PS: If you like this video and would like to see more like it, subscribe to my YouTube channel. I will be sharing all sorts of FREE videos like this that will help you continue up-leveling your skills as a Creator. ⁣

SoftMen Book (and Movement) Might Be Getting Funded!

HOLY SHIT! I just found out that I am a Top 10 Finalist in the $50,000 Archangel Dreamer competition. ⁣

I'll know Saturday if my SoftMen book and movement is about to get funded by one of my favourite organizations on the planet. ⁣

Huge thank you to Giovanni Marsico, Stephie Major, Crystal Adair-Benning and the entire Archangel team for being the real deal when it comes to helping entrepreneurs bring their dreams to life. ⁣

PS: As a finalist I get an exclusive 75% discount code for friends and family who want to attend this Saturday's BIG event. The discount code turns the $97 USD Festival ticket to $24.25.⁣

If you want to attend this Saturday's Dream Festival and get your freaking mind blown by a killer line-up of WORLD CLASS thought leaders DM me or comment below with the word "dreamer". ⁣

To see the full speaker line-up --> https://dreamerfestival.com⁣

PPS: Here's my 60 second video pitch in case you missed it. ⁣

PPPS: Thanks for all the love and support. ⁣

PPPPS: I'M SO FREAKING EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!⁣

7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Launching My First Online Program

This past summer I FINALLY launched my first online program.

This cracks me up because I hesitated for so long, waiting for the “perfect” moment. What’s funny about that is my “perfect moment” ended up landing in the middle of a global pandemic that essentially shut down the world’s economy. Nothing perfect about that. 

One of my goals was to see if I could generate $10k with my first program. I ended up making $13,500 which was really cool. I also probably learned more in these past 12 weeks than ever before. 

In this video I share 7 things I wish someone would’ve told me before launching. 

Hope you enjoy the video. If so, please subscribe to my YouTube channel and share the love. Each week there will be new videos including more how-to videos, podcasts, tutorials and guided meditations to help Creators prosper. 

Much love beautiful humans. :)

God VS You

Jennifer Mansell asked me this question 3 days ago and it rocked my world. ⁣

I know the "G" word is somewhat triggering for some, so feel free to swap that out with Universe if it feels right. ⁣

Curious if any of you guys think about this question and if so, how do you make sure to keep the alignment on track day-to-day or even month-to-month.

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Anyone Else Feel That Emotional Drop?

The season changed so quickly. Summer bounced like a bad one night stand.

I immediately felt the drop in my energy. It felt scary.

But I have been here many times before. Thankfully I have many support systems put in place from previous years.

I know I need:

  • Extra sleep

  • Physical Warmth

  • Movement

  • Self-compassion

  • Gentleness

  • Fresh air

  • Connection to other kind and caring humans

I also remind myself that I don’t need to FIX anything. Nothing is broken. I just need time to adjust. No need to make any big decisions based on the seasonal shift in my mood.

Being extra hard on “My Human” during these shifts helps no one.

Also, an important reminder that external substances that quickly alter my mood always cause me more damage in the long-run. That includes booze, drugs, cannabis and even food when over done.

There is an urge to contract and close my heart when the season shifts.

There is a desire to shut-off and run away from the world.

After tracking this for the past 6 years I now understand that so much of this is a seasonal event AND also that there are so many other humans going through this with me. Many of whom are suffering alone — like I was for so many years.

I have so much love and compassion for all humans experiencing this shift in energy; sometimes referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder.

As much as I want the summer to be endless, I know that’s not how life works.

Also, there is something precious and divine about the finite nature of all things on earth.

All things end…but also, often begin again.

Here’s to a new day, a new season and a new opportunity to deepen my connection to my many selves.

Anyone else feeling this drop in energy?

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Business Vs Art

Writing with my ideal audience in-mind has been a crazy effective approach to helping me get the attention of the right people and grow my business. Last year alone I probably generated $10K–$15K a month for my photography business, just from writing content on my personal Facebook and Instagram pages. 

AND…

Sometimes, I just want to write for me. 

I love all you humans, but it can be challenging always writing for someone else. When I try to get into the minds of other people I sometimes end up losing my own truth. 

As I write these words, I feel a tension between two versions of myself. There is a fascinating dynamic that exists between Business Darius and Artist Darius

In the past, I thought I had to kill one and hold the other sacred. That was definitely not the solution. I now believe this tension can actually be really healthy. Neither of them holds the full truth. I now know they both bring value and can co-exist. 

Letting them dance together and find their flow is key. Sometimes Business Darius needs to lead and other times Artist Darius is the one guiding the dance. 

"Business D" has been crushing all summer. I’m really proud of him, but I’m getting that familiar feeling once again, that it’s time to give the keys to "Artist D" for a bit and let him work his magic.

Anyone else feel a tension between two or more parts when it comes to Social Media?

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