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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. 

This is Val

 

One yes can change everything.

My goal on this day of photographing strangers was to take photos of 5 awesome humans. After almost 2 hours of walking around in a new city in a different country, with no photos of strangers, I was ready to give up.

Things didn’t go as I had hoped. I was stuck. And the longer I was stuck, the more I convinced myself to give up.

I let so many awesome strangers walk right by me. I was imagining people rejecting me without even speaking to them. I convinced myself they would say no and watched dozens and dozens of people walk away.

The moment I was about to quit, I sat down on a bench and heard a voice whisper:

“Most people quit right before something interesting is about to happen. Shoot the damn ball, Darius.”

Then I looked up and saw this super interesting dude, who would be my first yes in this new city.

The rest of the day I spiralled into a winning streak. I felt like I was flying.

This isn’t groundbreaking; it’s just basic math. If there are zero attempts, there are zero failures.

You can’t miss a basketball shot if you never shoot.

Let alone win a game. Or have fun playing.

I was even ready for more people to say no. And that felt totally okay. Shooting and missing are just a part of the game.

This video actually starts with a gem of a human at the counter saying no thanks, then suggesting I photograph her co-worker and friend Val.

I needed that NO to bring me one step closer to my next YES.

In this example I was only seconds away.

Sometimes it’s not that immediate. But what if there’s a yes out there waiting for you?

Are you willing to shoot your shot and let go of the damn ball?

Love,

D

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