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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. 

Isaac

 

Someone once told me that keeping a sincere compliment to yourself is like buying someone a gift, wrapping it up, and never actually giving it to them.

A few years ago I decided to say nice things to people in the moments when I actually felt them.

This is hard, especially with people I don’t know that well. I have this fear that they will respond with something harsh like, “Thanks Captain Obvious. Did you think I didn’t know that?”

But 95% of the time when I give people compliments, the recipient is surprised. It’s as if they don’t see what the rest of us can see so clearly.

This shocks me every time, until I remember that there is something about the human condition that makes it hard for us to fully appreciate ourselves.

When I approached him for a surprise photoshoot, Isaac was on his way home from grocery shopping.

I don’t know about you guys, but I never look this good when I go grocery shopping. This dude had style and swagger.

When I found out he had never done a photoshoot before I couldn’t help but share with him that maybe he should explore modelling and photography. He was sincerely surprised by my compliment and when I showed him the photos at the end, he had a big smile on his face.

I wonder why it’s so hard to see in ourselves what others can see so effortlessly?

Love,

D

PS: If you are interested in working together I have a great promo for the summer. Send me a DM and I’ll send you the details.

PPS: If you want to see the behind the scenes video of me approaching Isaac and taking these photos, check out my Instagram or my TikTok.