It’s too late for me. I missed my chance. I should have started years ago. 

There are too many artists / creators / musicians / businesses already in the space. They are way ahead of me. 

What could I possibly bring to the table that would be unique? 

I don’t want to look like a copycat. 

It’s just too late!

 — 

I have that voice in my head too. It kept me on the sidelines for a long time, just watching other people create cool shit. 

The good news is that I found a way around this unproductive thinking… 

Six steps to help me copy other artists in a way that is ethical, profitable and fun as f*ck.

It might not work for all artists and creators out there, but it worked for me. It gave me permission to play, express and create more than I ever imagined. 

It also gave me a brave space to build momentum as a new artist, a foundation to build on, and then eventually my own signature style. 

If you’re on the fence about getting into the self-expression game, I hope that this video gives you a nudge in the right direction. 

Big LOVE, 

D

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PS: If you dig this video and this message and want to support me and the Artist Morning YouTube channel, you can subscribe here → https://www.youtube.com/c/ArtistMorning⁣ // link in bio @dariusbashar

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PPS: Come meditate and journal with me. It’s totally free and everyone is welcome. You might just love it → https://www.artistmorning.com // link in bio @dariusbashar

I am not afraid of my shadow. 

I am not afraid of my light. 

I love all of me. All parts. 

I have space and compassion for ALL of me. 

I am surrounded by everything I need. 

My heart is open. 

My feet are grounded. 

My spirt soars. 

I am safe and supported always. 

Today I choose love. 

Today I CHOOSE love. 

 — — 

Dear Universe, 

Please use me as an instrument of your divine expression. 

Let us dance together and collaborate today as fellow artists. 

Let’s make something beautiful together. 

Something honest and real. 

Love always and forever, 

D

Photography by: Darius Bashar
Human by: Micha Edwards

It can feel frustrating when we don’t achieve our goals. When we fall short of our own timelines for whatever we deemed success or the finish line would be. 

It can feel especially difficult because we live in a world where it seems like every day someone new is blowing up and going viral.

But I’ve got good news…

For us to achieve our goals it will take more than we ever imagined. 

That’s right, this is GOOD news. 

Because the process of it taking more will require us to dig deeper and to bring MORE than ever before. 

 → more honesty

→ more courage

→ more confidence

→ more resilience

→ more creativity

→ more FUN

 → and most of all, MORE of our hearts

It’s a long journey. Longer than pop culture and social media wants you to believe. 

If you’re really down for the ride and truly committed to living a self-expressed life, then you better get comfortable. If you’re lucky this ride will take decades. But it might also be the greatest ride of your life.

Photo by: Darius Bashar
Beautiful face by: Sadie Ames

Commercial photographers and commercial cinematographers are on a list of “Permitted Media Companies” that are legally allowed to continue working during this lockdown period.

Yes, there are extra precautions and social distancing procedures that we must abide by, but if you are a commercial photographer—as long as there are 5 or fewer people on set with you and everyone is wearing masks and social distancing—you are allowed to continue running your business.

(Thank the lord!)

And in case you were wondering, the people on camera do NOT need to wear masks while we are taking photos of them. I know this seems obvious, but nothing is obvious in the times we live in.

All this to say, if you are a photographer in Ontario and you’re doing commercial work, you can continue doing business.

Be careful by screening your clients, make sure they are healthy (and have not been in contact with anyone with COVID), and wear masks as often as possible.

Keep building your business because we need you and your art in this world.

Please share this with other photographers who might not know this.

Also, support local businesses and artists as much as possible. When this is all done, we want to make sure our favourite local businesses are STILL AROUND.

Best,

D

#torontophotography #torontophotographers #ontariolockdown #photographertoronto #commercialphotographer #torontoartists #supportlocalbusinesses

Happy weekend beautiful humans. If you are looking for a really gentle and calming meditation to start your weekend with, I got you covered. ⁣

I really love this meditation. ⁣⁣

Special shout out to my brother Dane Osorio. He's the stud in the thumbnail. I wish we could go back to that photoshoot in Costa Rica....one day!! ⁣

BIG LOVE,

D

PS: If you’re looking for a FREE collection of Guided Morning Meditations, I’ve got you covered → https://www.artistmorning.com/free-meditation-for-creativity / link in bio @dariusbashar

PPS: Come meditate with me live. We meet as a group on Zoom every Wednesday and Friday at 9am EST. Sign up here for free → Free Group Meditation / @artistmorning

#meditations #meditationpractice #meditationtime #meditationteacher #meditationclass #meditation🙏

I believe self-expression and creativity are the reasons we are here on this planet. It’s fundamental to living a fulfilled human life. 

I also believe that if you aren’t careful, the process of bringing a creative idea to life can swallow you up whole. 

It’s easy to lose yourself. You can become obsessed and lose grip with what’s really important to you and your life. 

Health, family, friends and financial stability can be pushed aside when you’re in the midst of birthing a new creative baby. 

This has happened to me many times in the past. 

All I can think about is the work. I forget to eat. I can’t sleep. I stop answering emails and text messages. 

Sometimes it leads to breakthrough work and self-expression…

…and sometimes it leads to me totally burning out and getting dangerously close to needing to shut out the entire world.

If you’re not careful, it can also lead to you resenting your own self-expression and decided to quit making art. 

In this video I share 3 practical things I do to work through the dark side of creativity: the inevitable CHAOS that seems to always come as a packaged deal when bringing a creative idea to life. 

Chaos is not a bad thing… as long as you are prepared for it and have a plan to make sure it doesn’t gobble you up. 

BIG Love,

D

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PS: If you dig this video and this message and want to support me and the Artist Morning's YouTube channel, you can subscribe here → https://www.youtube.com/c/ArtistMorning⁣ // link in bio @dariusbashar

———

PPS: Come meditate and journal with me. It’s totally free and everyone is welcome. You might just love it → https://www.artistmorning.com // link in bio @dariusbashar

Around 50% the time I work with people I have never met before.

Yet thankfully, 99% of the time these new clients are amazing humans and we become new friends. 

Each person is different. Different upbringings, different cultures, different jobs, and different educational backgrounds. And despite all the differences, so many of the people I work with are also so similar. 

There is a magic inside each person. There is something beautiful that is ready to be expressed—a light, a song, a dance—that has always been there inside them. Often times they’ve already done an awesome job expressing it to the world on stages, in books, or even through one-on-one sessions with clients.

My job is always the same: to try and capture that magic through photos. 

And with each new photoshoot, I remember why I chose to be here on Earth for this particular human experience. Because with each new photoshoot, I feel like I get closer to my own heart.

It was such a treat to sit and chat with my new friend Mekeli Villamor. To hear his story. To feel his passion for music and art and to witness his love and adoration for his two sons. 

How lucky am I that amazing artists like Mekeli come to my studio and serenade me with personal concerts?! 

Thank you, brother. I’ll never forget our afternoon together. 

BIG love, 

D

PS: If you want to make something beautiful together in 2021, send me a quick DM or comment below with the word “2021”. I've got a great promo this month.

#torontophotography #torontophotographers #behindthephoto #portraitsinspire #beautifulhumans #photoportrait

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It’s not easy taking photos of another seasoned photographer. 

There’s more pressure because they understand the essence of the art form and they know what’s possible. 

There are also more hurdles because they know “the tricks” to disarming people, and often will have fortified the walls around their own hearts. 

And I get it—I do the same thing when the roles are reversed. It’s almost unconscious. 

Thankfully, I‘ve photographed many awesome photographers over the years and was prepared when I got this amazing opportunity to capture one of my faves, my dear friend Mich Chiu. 

This shoot was a ton of fun and also very challenging in the most soul-fulfilling ways. 

I absolutely love these photos of Mich. They have a lot of sentimental meaning to me. I saw a part of myself in her that day and that brought me closer to both her and myself. 

My favourite creative collaborations are the ones where we somehow transcend “you” and “me” and become something else… something bigger, and maybe something timeless. 

Thank you Mich for saying yes. Thank you for trusting the process and really leaning in. 

I can’t wait for our next collaboration.

Love, 

D

PS: If you want to make something beautiful together in 2021, send me a quick DM or comment below with the word “2021”. I've got a great promo this month.

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Our next group meditation is today at 9am EST. It’s totally free and everyone is welcome.

It takes 30 seconds to join and you’ll get the Zoom link ASAP. —> www.artistmorning.com / link in bio @dariusbashar

Love,

D

#meditations #meditationpractice #meditationtime #meditationteacher #meditationclass #meditation🙏

WARNING: This is way harder than you think. 

I’m working on it every day and I’ve got a long way to go. 

There are many reasons that make it difficult to tell the truth no matter what. Here’s are a few…

1. You have to know the truth, which requires a deep-dive into your own heart and soul.

2. The truth might upset people, which can be really hard if you are a people-pleaser like me.

3. And most importantly, it’s super freaking easy to lie to ourselves. We are masters at this.

In this video, I share why I believe telling the truth no matter what is actually a SUPERPOWER and one of the most important things we can do as creators, artists and humans who want to live fully expressed lives. 

Big love, ⁣⁣

D⁣

PS: If you dig this video and want to support me and the Artist Morning YouTube channel, you can subscribe here → https://www.youtube.com/c/ArtistMorning⁣ // at the link in my bio @dariusbashar

PPS: Come meditate and journal with me. It’s totally free and everyone is welcome. You might just love it → https://www.artistmorning.com // @artistmorning

#artistmorning #behindthephoto #torontophotography #torontophotographers #createmore #artistsway #creativityeveryday