Memoirs and musings of Darius Bashar. Toronto portrait photographer and writer, in pursuit of all things real, raw and intimate.
If I was able to purge my addiction to praise, what would remain?
As I asked myself this question this morning, a voice from inside interjected to say:
"But...we're not really addicted to praise… we could quit at any time. It's not like we NEED it every day."
Sound familiar?
It’s a trip looking back at old work. Sometimes I am so focus on "the mission" that I can totally forget about really amazing moments that got me to this point. Sometimes slowing down can actually be the most productive thing I can do.
When I look at these photos I smile. I feel energized. I feel inspired and I feel deeply grateful.
This was a very short, but very fun photoshoot I did with Kendrick. It was a test shoot for a TEDxToronto project I was working on. I think we only had 30 mins together, but somehow we got so many awesome photos.
Kendrick, I think it's time for round two. You ready? I sure am!!
Fear is needed. Fear is helpful. Fear can alert and awaken you to danger.Fear can even save your life. BUT if you let fear linger and stay around longer than it is needed,Fear will find a way to suffocate all the joy from your life. Have you ever thought about all of the amazing humans who will impact your life, that you have not YET met?
This idea brings me so much joy, because it reminds me that the best is yet to come.
It also reminds me that I have so many more friends to meet and play with.
Thank you @Frances Young for being such an absolute joy to co-create with.
We took so many stunning photos together. Not bad for the first time we ever met in real life.
I can't wait for our next play date.
Big love,
D
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PS: I've currently got a really great photography promo. 2 for 1 deal. If you are interested in making something beautiful together send me a message. I'd love to connect.
We were trained to ignore you.
We were programmed to treat you as invisible.
They told us it was for your own sake, out of respect to you. Can you believe that shit?!
"Don't stare, it's rude."
What they actually meant was, don't look too closely at them because you might discover how bloody our hands still are.
Two artists in the morning making art.
Not about outcome.
Not about praise.
Not about capitalism.
Whatever shows-up, shows-up.
I’m talking about misfit energy. Bless and release energy. Adventure energy.
3-hours end-to-end and a celebrator breakfast.
Whose in?
I am making space for something new.
It’s time.
I’m ready.
Best summer of my life is here and she wants to dance.
D
This next chapter is about me.
This next chapter is about my art.
This next chapter is about making things that turn me on.
I have become addicted to outcome and praise.
I love people, I really do, but my need to people please has got me lost.
I'm not here to make you comfortable.
I'm here to make.
Love,
D
“She was a wild one; always stomping on eggshells that everyone else tip-toed on.”
Beautiful words by Kaitlin Foster, to describe the beautiful women in the photo, my beloved Jenn Mansell.
🚨 Super important note: You do NOT need to look slimmer. Your body is YOUR body and it does not need to look like anyone else's.
Before proceeding, please re-read the above sentence 3 more times.
Everyone has a different body size and shape and this is an amazing thing. Please don’t buy the hype that there is an “ideal” body size. I promise you that no matter what your body looks like, you are FREAKING beautiful.
That said, several people have reached out to me asking if I had any tips to help them look a bit slimmer on camera.
After taking over 500,000 photos of people, I definitely have many tips on how to look more photogenic. With this video I share a few simple tips to help you look a bit slimmer, if that’s something that interests you.
My goal with this video (and the other two in my “How to Look More Photogenic” series) is to help amazing humans who are on their own self-expression journey to feel a bit more comfortable on camera so that they may continue sharing their light with the world.
Big LOVE,
D
PS: Next week, I will be sharing my next video called “How to Build Trust with a Photo”.
PPS: 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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