This was my third photoshoot with Marcos. Each one has been an adventure.
One of my favorite parts of being a photographer is getting to collaborate with really interesting humans over time. I get to witness their growth. I get to watch them explore who they are and what they’re here to do.
The moments that move me most are when someone dives deep into their mission, their identity, their purpose. There’s something sacred about capturing that.
Marcos, thank you for trusting me on this journey.
I can’t wait for our next dance.
Big love,
D
PS: If you’re thinking about doing a shoot this spring or summer, I’ve got a special promo running. Here’s the link —> www.dariusbashar.com/heartshots
(Link in bio if you’re seeing this on Instagram)
The first time I saw Taes, she was dancing at the Dovercourt House in Toronto. I remember thinking to myself, wow, she looked so free. So light. So confident.
I was new to the ecstatic dance scene. Everything felt overwhelming.
But she stood out. Open and alive.
Life is beautiful like that.
Sometimes I meet someone briefly, and years later, we end up on a soulful journey together.
This time, she invited me to take her portraits.
Since that first encounter, maybe seven years ago, I’ve had a few lovely moments with Tess.
She started dating a dear friend of mine a few years back, and it’s been really nice to slowly get to know her.
Our photoshoot was one I’ll never forget.
Some truly incredible moments surfaced that will stay just between us.
Taes, thank you for showing up with your big, beautiful heart.
I hope these photos help you continue the incredible work you’re doing with children, educators, and parents around the world.
Big love,
D
Special shoutout to our hair and makeup artist Alison Sharp. She was a key part of the magic that day, in more ways than one.
PS: If you’re thinking about doing a shoot this spring or summer, I’ve got a special promo running. Here’s the link: www.dariusbashar.com/heartshots
(Link in bio if you’re seeing this on Instagram)
I am committed to making this the BEST SUMMER OF MY LIFE. In order to make that a reality I have convinced my favourite artists in the city to wake up early and let me take their photos for a new collection I am calling the Summer of Art.
Ben is Portrait 001.
Big announcement! This Thursday at 9am (EST), I will be taking over Insight Timer’s Instagram page to guide a live practice called How To Become A Magnet to Creativity.
Maybe you’re wondering why someone would want to become a magnet to Creativity?
That’s a great question.
Most people think of Creativity as an outcome, like a painting, a book, or even a funny Instagram post.
But for me, Creativity is actually a lifelong relationship. Similar to a romantic partnership or even a best friend.
When we find ways to meaningfully and sincerely be in partnership with Creativity, she finds incredible ways to bless our lives.
When we have a healthy and loving relationship with Creativity, she continually finds us and wants to spend quality time with us.
It’s like the feeling of being in love—that feeling when everything seems possible.
We become vessels for divine expression and when this happens we start to get out of our own way and allow the best of us to show up in the world.
Becoming a magnet to Creativity can feel incredible, but it also has some amazing side effects:
Our confidence grows because we are in flow and in alignment with the highest frequency of the Universe.
Our productivity grows because we are regularly dancing with Creativity. Ideas, visions, and projects continually find us and use us as an open channel to be manifested into the world.
Our sense of fulfillment grows because we are openly sharing more of our gifts and our heart with the world.
If you’re interested in any of the above, come join me this Thursday by tuning into Insight Timers instagram page at 9am (EST) and we will have some fun together. Make sure to bring your journal.
Everyone is invited!
Big love,
D
Here’s a secret to taking better photos and videos on social media:
No one wants you to be perfect.
They’d rather you be real.
Because people don’t trust perfect—perfect is unbelievable.
→ That means you’re allowed to fumble a word or two in your videos.
→ That means you can show people your playful side or even your messy side.
→ That means putting your guard down and letting people feel and see your heart.
Real is trustworthy, because real is relatable.
Take a look at your instagram feed and ask yourself, is there a part of the real you missing from your social media?
I did this a few years back and realized that all my posts were super serious.
For some reason, my silliness and my joy were totally missing—and if you’ve ever met me in real life you’ll know just how silly and joyful I can be. I needed to share more of the real Darius with the world.
Because humans are multi-dimensional. We have MANY sides to us.
When I look at these photos of Charles (@for.men.of.color), I see range. I see a coach and leader who is strong, but I also see a softer side. The photos show his depth and wisdom, but his fun and joyful sides also come through.
It’s not just authentic and honest for the sake of it—it’s a super smart business decision too.
His prospective clients are able to sense who Charles really is and what it’s like to work with him. This creates closeness and trust.
When we open our hearts and show people who we really are, we allow them to more quickly and effectively decide if our energy and vibe is what they’re looking for in their life.
Not everyone will be into who you really are—that’s just life. But the right people will step forward and want to learn more.
It requires courage to take up space and share your light with the world. But each time you do, not only does it get easier, but the world also gets brighter.
If you’d like some support in sharing more of your light and your gifts with the world, I’d love to chat. I have a great photography promo this month. You can click here for more info —> https://www.dariusbashar.com/heartshots
Big love,
D
Just keep showing up.
Even when you’re tired.
Even when you barely have words.
Even when you’re unsure of who you are.
Don’t do it for them.
Don’t do it for fame.
Don’t do it for the money.
Show up for YOU.
Show up to discover YOU.
Show up to remember YOU.
Rest, sleep, eat and be merry, but keep fucking showing up.
Don’t let resistance win.
Don’t let comparison win.
Don’t let the algorithm win.
You’re stronger than you realize.
You’re stronger than you realize.
You’re stronger than you realize.
And we all have hard parts in our lives.
The hard parts make you strong.
Don’t be afraid of the pain.
The pain is a gatekeeper to separate the bystanders from the masters.
Don’t be a bystander.
Be a master.
Thank you for being a part of my life.
Thank you for being a part of this community.
Thank you for the kindness you have shared with me over the years. It has deeply impacted my heart.
Maybe we found each other through my NoStrangers project.
Maybe you have been meditating with me on Insight Timer or Artist Morning for a while.
Maybe we did a HEARTshots photoshoot together.
Maybe we are old friends.
Or maybe you just joined our community recently.
Regardless, your care and presence has impacted my life.
I know it might sound funny to be impacted by humans you have never met before, or been in the same room with, but I am impacted.
Like many of you, I am a sensitive soul that believes everything is energy.
And the energy of this community has brought so much joy into my life.
Thank you.
Bless you.
I love you.
D
Small token of my appreciation:
Have you ever wanted to ask me a question? I’ve made a simple online form (link below). I will do my best to answer as many questions as possible. CLICK HERE
I’m going to let you in on a secret: I rarely work with real estate agents or realtors. Because the type of photos they’re usually looking for aren’t the type of photos I usually take.
Additionally, real estate professionals aren’t as interested in my unique process, which involves getting to know each other. We do a deep dive into what your intentions are with the photos and how you want your audience to FEEL when they experience the final results.
My dream clients love this process. They see that it benefits their brand to be asked such questions and explore the answers in depth.
To be honest, when I’ve shared my process with real estate agents and realtors in the past, they look at me like I’m speaking a different language. Or worse… they try to break the process and do it the way they’re used to instead, which is a more in-and-out, transactional experience.
The good news is that Zack (@zackfenwick_7) is no typical realtor. From our first Zoom call it was clear he understood the value of breaking off from the pack and differentiating himself from his peers.
It was also clear that he is significantly more successful than the average realtor. Through our photoshoot and our deep conversations I learned a lot about Zack and his dedication to his business.
There was a clarity about Zack. He has focus and discipline. But there was also an ease with him, that in my experience only comes with true self-belief.
From what Zack shared about his origin story, his success isn’t an accident or luck: It’s a result of his commitment to health, to family, to how he runs his business, and how he runs his life.
He knows who he is and what he wants, and it was an honour to help him take photos that would help him along his path.
Zack, I enjoyed our time together and love the photos we co-created.
Big love,
D
PS: If there is something about these photos or my writing that calls to you, and you want to know more about working together, have a look at the link below (or the link in my bio on IG @dariusbashar). I would love to support your vision and help you share more of your gifts with the world. —> https://www.dariusbashar.com/heartshots
