Want to have some fun this week? Instead of asking people, “How are you?” try asking them, “What’s the most interesting thing happening in your life right now?”

Don’t compare yourself to their answers or judge what they say. Instead stay open and curious.

When I think about this question, I imagine that my soul is an actor and he’s playing a role called Darius. I believe that my soul came to Earth to play this role because he wanted a thrill and to explore the richness of the human experience, including all of the emotions and even the hardships. My soul is having a blast with this art project.

When I sometimes get lost in the details or forget that this experience was supposed to be fun, I lose perspective which can quickly lead to me feeling lost and alone. My soul loves the thrill of this “method acting” and enjoys being fully immersed in the character.

So what’s the most interesting thing happening in my life right now?

I am dating someone new.

This person has a powerful way of reflecting her perspective back to me. She witnesses me. Her approach is so gentle but also so penetrating. Maybe it’s her tone. Her frequency. Her eyes. Who knows?

She’s shown me things about who I am that I’ve heard before from others, but there is something about the way she reflects that breaks through all my doubt and imposter syndrome. Her reflections wake me up to who I am and who I have always been.

She’s reminded me that this character called Darius believes in the power of truth and vulnerability. He knows that going deep and being honest—even when it’s scary—brings him closer to love and connection. It’s also challenging for him to open his heart up to others and it takes a lot for him to show up and speak his truth. This experience is an emotional rollercoaster ride, both thrilling and exciting.

It feels vulnerable sharing this with all of you, but that’s the most interesting thing happening in the life of this character called Darius.

So, my question to you is this: what’s the most interesting thing happening in the life of the character your soul is playing right now?

Big love,

D

If you are feeling stuck.

If you are feeling trapped.

If you are losing hope.

If you feel like the walls are crashing in.

If you feel like it’s all slipping away through your hands.

There is a good chance you are zooming too far into a particular experience.

When we zoom that far in we can quickly lose perspective of who we really are.

Each of us gets the privilege of defining who we truly are (and what that even means).

But if we don’t actively define ourselves, the world will quickly jump in to fill the gap. And usually that’s not a good thing.

This world uses numbers to measure our worth: the money in our accounts, the amount of friends we have, the number of lovers we have, our height, our age, our clothing size—

—fuck that noise.

No number could ever measure your worth.

If you would like some support zooming out and remembering who you really are, I made this guided meditation on that exact theme.

It was a big hit during our Friday Artist Morning Live session a few weeks back.

Here’s the link —> “Support for Anxious Days - Zooming Out Meditation”

I am looking for 5 heart-centred people in the Vancouver 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 800,000 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.

I will be in Vancouver June 12 to June 16. If you are interested click the link here that will have all the details including pricing, examples and a ton of testimonials.

Big love,

D

I have taken over 800,000 photos of humans, but yesterday was unlike any other photoshoot I have been a part of.

I am still processing the magic of what happened so I will keep this post short.

Warren Falkenstein possesses a superhuman ability to transmute pain into focus and love. What I witnessed him do during our HEARTshots session yesterday was so deeply inspiring.

Yesterday's experience is an example of the transformative power of a photography.

If someone is open to it, a photoshoot can be a life-changing experience. It gives them an opportunity to slow down and get present with who they are, to see how far they’ve come, and to deeply look at themselves.

Nothing in my life has been more transformational for me than my photoshoots, but some leave a bigger impact than others. This one left a LION sized impact.

Warren, you are a very special human and it was an honour to support you on this journey.

I can't wait to show you everyone the photos we took. They were remarkable in so many ways.

More from me soon.

Love,

D

PS: Follow Warren the Peaceful Warrior on IG here —-> @walkwithwarren

My dear friend Sal Talon is one of my greatest collaborators and someone I not-so-secretly call a “secret weapon.” She shared a powerful life lesson with me yesterday during our photoshoot.

I have not been able to stop thinking about this incredibly powerful lesson. So today I recorded a short podcast for all of you to share this lesson Sal gifted me.

To anyone who feels stuck, or feels as if there are important things you need to do and dreams you want to bring to life but you can’t seem to find the energy to do them… this lesson might just be the missing piece.

There is a much easier path available.

Listen to my podcast here —> DAY 71

This lesson can help all of us prevent burnout and also bring more joy into our lives.

Without Sal I’d be a very different artist and human.

Thank you Sal for broadening my perspective, for helping me believe in myself, and for supporting my journey as an artist. You’re one in a billion.

Love,

D

PS: Sal’s also an amazing singer and songwriter. Here’s a link to some of her music.

You made it. You’ve never been this far.

You broke your previous record for consecutive days alive.

I asked my phone and it told me I’ve been alive for 14,683 consecutive days. That means that TODAY is officially the oldest I have ever been!

And guess what? today is also the oldest you have ever been too.

That’s a personal record.

Maybe you feel younger than you did 10 years ago, but that does not take away the fact that today is officially the greatest number of consecutive days you have ever been alive.

Take a moment to breathe that in.

Today is the oldest you have ever been.

How does it make you feel?

Each person will experience this differently. And there is no right or wrong way of feeling into that fact.

Personally, I love thinking about this. It gives me a new frame to see my life.

So many times I feel stuck or like I’m repeating patterns in life that do not serve me. But when I remember that I’ve never experienced this day before—I have never been through a March 9, 2023 before—and how it’s my first and only day like today… it can renew my energy and help get me get unstuck.

When I realize I’ve never been this many days old, and will never be again, it can turn a mundane Thursday into a personal record. It’s like a mini-birthday.

Another other fact I love to reflect on is that not everyone is lucky enough to get to 14,683 days of life. It’s a privilege and a blessing.

Holy shit, I made it this far.

How freakin cool.

Try it out for yourself. Do a quick Google search or ask Siri how many days it’s been since your birth, and take a moment to reflect on how far you have come.

Nobody knows how many days we will get in our life’s journey, but what’s for certain is that you and I made it this far.

And I think that is worthy of a celebration.

Love,

D

Picture this: you, me, and four other kind and supportive humans taking photos, mastering our smartphones, and having a ton of fun.

I’m excited to announce my next 4-hour smartphone photography workshop is taking place LIVE in-person at my Toronto studio on Friday, March 24th.

It’s only open to 5 attendees, so it’s really intimate and each person gets lots of quality time with me.

This type of workshop is one of my favourite things to do. There are so many reasons I love it, and here are a few:

1. I get to share my love of photography with you. I get to see you fall in love with photography and see yourself and the world with new eyes.

2. There is always a “Holy smokes, I am beautiful!” moment that happens at every workshop. I get to see you see yourself differently. It’s the BEST!!

3. The entire workshop is based in fun and play. It’s as if we’re all kids on a giant playdate, and I get to share my toys with all the other kids. Play is the only way I know how to do anything worthwhile.

4. Even though everyone walks in as strangers, we walk out as a mini-community of kind and creative humans. It’s a beautiful thing to see how kind and supportive everyone is to one another. It’s the X factor that lifts everyone’s energy, and we all leave feeling more grounded and confident because of it.

And I’ve added a BONUS for workshop attendees:

I am including a FREE mini photoshoot at the end of the workshop. If you have ever wanted me to take your photos with my big fancy camera, this is literally the least expensive way to make that happen.

If you are ready to finally feel confident taking photos and videos with your smartphone, and if you want to hang out at my studio for an afternoon and make art together, then join us on March 24th.

—> CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT <—

I’d love to see you there.

Big love,

D

PS: The last 5 times I ran this workshop it sold out, so if you’re interested don’t wait too long. 🌟

I often catch myself fantasizing about a different way to live my life.

Most of my life up until this point I’ve been chasing.

• Chasing business ideas

• Chasing a soulmate

• Chasing sales quotas

• Chasing the algorithm

Chasing is a full-octane, adrenaline-soaked experience.

It’s a roller coaster ride for your nervous system. Like a lion on the hunt.

First you set your eyes on your goal… Then you get really focused and the rest of the world fades away. Your breathing calms down, and inch by inch you get closer. Then at the exact right moment, you sprint with everything you have to the finish line.

There is no guarantee of success, which is what makes it so exhilarating. I am excited just writing about it.

While many great things have come into my life through chasing, there is something new happening inside me. A longing for a different way.

I can’t help but imagine…

What would happen to my life if I got off this roller coaster ride?

What would happen if instead of chasing, I allowed more peace, more calm and more grace?

(I honestly don’t know. This is all new to me.)

I have this intuition that there is a cost to peace. It’s not free.

I would need to give something up because peace requires letting go of a lot.

• Letting go of control

• Letting go of who I thought I was

• Letting go of what weighs me down

I get overwhelmed by this train of thought. Until I remind myself that I should not be chasing peace.

Peace will not run away if I move really slow. In fact, peace prefers it.

Love,

D

Sometimes I feel like I am making a documentary of my clients lives. Especially the ones that I get the privilege of working with on a yearly basis.

Today Tarzan is coming into my studio for our 5th photoshoot.

Each time we have played together she has felt like a new and evolved version of herself.

All of us are growing, that’s how life works, but with Tarzan the expansion has felt really intentional and deep.

I remember from day one how light and playful she was. Yes, she runs a very successful business (Email Stars), but it was clear to me that she was so much more than just an entrepreneur.

She was really interested in connecting with me. Human to human. Soul to soul.

After 4 years of working with her it’s crystal clear to me that Tarzan really cares about people.

Our second shoot was an adventure in the city. It felt like we were running around Toronto making a music video together.

Our third shoot was more structured, as it was an indoor white backdrop type of shoot. That said, Tarzan still found ways to bring her fun, warm and playful energy to that experience.

And for our last shoot, I got to witness her more tender and radiant side, as we went on an adventure in the forest.

I have no idea what to expect for shoot #5.

But I have a feeling it’s going to be magical.

Big love,

D

PS: If you’re new here, my name is Darius and I am a professional portrait photographer that loves to work with authors, coaches, speakers, healers and artists. I have taken over 800,000 photos of awesome humans all over the world and I am currently looking for a few new clients to work with in the spring and summer.

I have an awesome spring/summer promo, so if you are interested in learning more, check it out here.

Dear Adil,

I have known you for more than 20 years.

It’s been such a gift to have you as a friend for over two decades.

To watch you grow and to be able to grow alongside you.

It’s been a thrill to witness you lead organizations and projects that have impacted the lives of thousands, such as the Center for Social Innovation, Reset and Toronto For Everyone.

And to watch your incredible love story with the brilliant and beautiful Shilbee as it unfolded over the past decade has templated what is possible within love, for me and so many others.

You and I have probably had more courageous conversations than I’ve had with any other male friend in my life. The type of conversation that might start off difficult, because it addresses a hard truth, but then ends up changing our lives in so many amazing ways by allowing us to look at parts of ourselves that needed attention.

Recently, you held space for me as I processed some grief, sadness and anger. It was very difficult and much needed. Yet I want you to know that it inspired me and gave me hope about what is possible in friendship, especially amongst two men.

I love you Adil.

I can’t wait to continue growing alongside you and to keep rooting for you and your gigantic heart.

Big love,

D

PS: If you want to see the video reel I made for Adil you can find it on my Instagram or my TikTok.