My favourite thing about my job as a portrait photographer is that I get to sit down for hours at a time and chat with really interesting humans.

It feels like an epic one-on-one podcast—without mics or even an audience.

I discover so many of my favourite books, workshops, events, podcasts and even philosophies on life through the conversations that happen before I get my camera out.

Dr. Tracy Debi is a great example of this. Our chat was really juicy; she has lived a fascinating life and does very unique work as a former holistic chiropractor turned intuitive guide & mentor.

The conversation was food for my soul. We had so much fun that she asked me to be a guest on her podcast, which was also a blast.

So grateful for all the brilliant, beautiful and brave humans I get to co-create with.

Thank you Dr. Tracy. I can’t wait for our next co-creation.

Big LOVE,

D

PS: If you want to make something beautiful together, I've got a great promo this month --> www.dariusbashar.com/heartshots

Headshots, HEARTshots, Portrait Photography, Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyDarius BasharMay 17, 2021Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, Portrait Photographer, Portrait PhotographyComment

One Of My Favourite Moments Of Almost Every Photoshoot

“You can go to extremes with impossible schemes
You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams
And life gets more exciting with each passing day
And love is either in your heart or on it’s way

Don’t you know that it’s worth every treasure on earth
To be young at heart
For as rich as you are, it’s much better by far
To be young at heart”

- Young at Heart lyrics by Carolyn Leigh

I heard this song on the radio yesterday. It’s a timeless classic performed by the legendary Frank Sinatra. If you haven’t heard it in a while, I definitely recommend giving it a listen.

It reminded me of so many of my photoshoots. Because almost every photoshoot has a moment where I can see and feel the inner child of the person I am photographing.

A very special moment when their inner child feels safe enough to come out and play.

It’s often my favourite part of the entire shoot.

Those younger parts of us deep inside our hearts are often the key to our fullest self-expression. They are the keepers of so much joy, play and tremendous levels of creativity.

Thank you dear Anitta for letting your glorious inner child come out to play during our photoshoot. Your inner child is incredible, and so are you.

Big LOVE,

D

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PS: If you want to make something beautiful with me in 2021, send me a message and let’s start the convo. I've got a great HEARTshots promo this month. --> www.dariusbashar.com/heartshots / link in bio @dariusbashar

Headshots, HEARTshots, Portrait Photography, Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyDarius BasharApril 13, 2021HEARTshots, Headshots, Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyComment

Testimonial Tuesdays - Nicholas Kusmich

“My photoshoot with Darius was totally different. Not only did he produce the best pictures I have ever taken, but the experience was amazing.”

- NICHOLAS KUSMICH
COACH, AUTHOR, SPEAKER

PS: If you don’t know Nicholas, he’s one of THE TOP facebook marketers on the planet. He’s the dude behind some of the highest ROI-producing campaigns EVER. If you are looking to scale your biz, I’d check him out: www.nicholaskusmich.com / @nicholaskusmich

Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, HEARTshots, HeadshotsDarius BasharMarch 16, 2021Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, Portrait Photographer, Headshots, HEARTshotsComment

International Women's Day

I feel grateful that I get to work with so many awesome women.

Women who are kind and sensitive.

Women who are assertive and tough.

Women who are open and deep.

Women who are guarded and mysterious.

Intelligent and creative women who are committed to being of service to their communities.

And women who are committed to being of service to themselves.

Because all women are worth celebrating.

Happy International Women’s Day ⚡️

Sincerely,

D

Headshots, HEARTshots, Toronto Photography, Toronto PhotographerDarius BasharMarch 8, 2021HEARTshots, Headshots, Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyComment

Marla + Julian (The Intimacy Experts)

It’s a lot of fun spending time with Marla and Julian. Each is such an interesting being—wise, honest, super direct—and I’ve been lucky enough to connect with them individually a few times now.

But seeing them together is a really unique and special experience.

In case you didn’t know, they are two of the top intimacy and relationship coaches on the planet. Marla and Julian Colker specialize in helping entrepreneurial couples with love, intimacy and connection. They have a company called The Intimacy Experts (@theintimacyexperts) and have been featured by many major publications including Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC, ABC, and Oprah.

Last fall I got to collaborate with these two lovebirds for a really fun shoot.

I remember how palpable their connection was. There was a magnetism between them; these were two SUPER successful adults that could somehow access levels of playfulness and joy at any moment. There was also an animalistic energy between them that was fun to experience and photograph.

Marla and Julian, I miss you guys and can’t wait to hang again soon. Hopefully in LA next time.

Love,

D

PS: If you want to make something beautiful with me in 2021 send me a message and let’s chat.

Click To Enlarge Photos Below

HEARTshots, Headshots, Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyDarius BasharMarch 1, 2021HEARTshots, Headshots, Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyComment

Testimonial Tuesdays - Mike Shoreman

"I’ve been photographed many times but this was unlike any other experience I have had with a photographer and human being. From the moment I walked in to the moment I walked out, Darius was ON.

Never have I seen someone turn it on so quickly, so gently, so fiercely, designing and producing what I wanted my audience to see most. He knows when to push and when and what to pull. His timing, attention to detail, and the value he provides far exceeded any hopes I’d had."

- Mike Shoreman

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Thank you Mike for those generous and kind words. It’s been such a joy to see you and your book soar to the top of the charts. Well deserved and much needed in the world. Love you brother.

Sincerely,

D

PS: If you want to make something beautiful together in 2021, send me a quick DM or comment below with the word "2021".

HEARTshots, Headshots, Portrait Photography, Toronto Photography, Toronto Photographer, Testimonial TuesdaysDarius BasharFebruary 9, 2021Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, Portrait Photographer, HEARTshots, Headshots, Testimonial TuesdaysComment

Rebecca Tracey HEARTshots Photoshoot

I work with a lot of coaches in my photography business; I’d say 70% of my clients are coaches. I also HIRE coaches and mentors to support my business. This is a significant amount of my marketing and business development budget… and also the most effective thing I have done to help my business grow in the last 5 years.

After all that time working with coaches—both as my clients and as my own mentors—I have learned one simple truth:

The fastest way to get to your goal is by finding someone who has already done it to coach you through the process.

Super simple, right? Not exactly rocket science.

When it comes to helping people start a successful online business, I honestly don’t know of anyone else that has more experience or more success stories than Rebecca Tracy. She’s been at it for years now and has worked with hundreds of life coaches, nutritionists, business coaches and healers.

Her program and her breadth of knowledge on this topic is impressive.

She’s also a ton of fun to work with and always travels with her adorable furry companion who made a special guest appearance during our shoot.

For more on Rebecca Tracey you can check her website out here → https://theuncagedlife.com

Or follower her on Instagram here → https://www.instagram.com/rebeccatracey/

Big LOVE,

D

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Hair & Makeup by @kellyd.makeup

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PS: If you want to make something beautiful together in 2021, send me a quick DM or comment below with the word “2021”.

Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, HEARTshots, HeadshotsDarius BasharFebruary 8, 2021Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, HEARTshots, HeadshotsComment

Sandra Chuma HEARTshots

I love these photos so much. They are from a year ago, but somehow I haven’t shared them yet. To be honest I think when COVID hit things got a bit wonky and that’s how they got missed.

I’ll never forget the day of the shoot. Sandra was radiant from the start. I remember feeling a warmth from her the moment I saw her. She was a great listener and when she looked into my eyes it felt as if somehow I was able to do ANYTHING. As if she believed in me and was cheering me on, just by witnessing me. The definition of empowering.

She does her amazing work as the founder of the Woman on Fire Summit, a life-changing experience to help women from all over the world step beyond their fears. To learn more about the inspired work Sandra does in this world, check her out here → @sandra.chuma // https://sandrachuma.com/

Thank you my friend for all that you do and for your commitment to empowering and celebrating humans everywhere.

Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, HEARTshots, HeadshotsDarius BasharFebruary 1, 2021Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, HEARTshots, HeadshotsComment

NIKKI MCKNIGHT - OPERATIONS MAGICIAN

Dear Nikki,

It is so wonderful getting to know you. From when I first met you as the operations mastermind at Archangel, to working with you on our first HEARTshots photoshoot. Eventually I got to experience your magic firsthand as you guided me through a full-day coaching experience for my business. I’m still so grateful for HOW MUCH VALUE you squeezed into a single day.

But most of all, I’m enjoying our growing friendship. Your energy, your dedication, your wisdom and your hilarity are so wonderful to be around.

To me, you are 100% an artist. Yes, your art is different from mine; your magic is about understanding frameworks, logistics, operations and getting shit done right! But in a way your art is similar to mine, because we both love empowering epic humans to do and make cool shit.

Thank you for being awesome, for continuing to step into your light and your power, and for being such a stand up human.

I’m so excited to see where you go from here.

Big love,

D

PS: If you’re looking to up-level your business in 2021 and want to chat with a true magician of operations, check her out! → https://mcknightoc.com/about

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PPS: If you’re ready to make something beautiful together this year, send me a DM or comment below. I’d love to connect.⁣⁣ More info on this month’s HEARTshot photography promo → https://www.dariusbashar.com/heartshots

HEARTshots, Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, Portrait Photography, HeadshotsDarius BasharJanuary 18, 2021Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, HEARTshots, HeadshotsComment

Tracy Clark HEARTshots

This is Tracy Clark. She’s many things; a successful entrepreneur, a spiritual teacher, a reverend, a podcaster, and a coach.

Working with Tracy was unique because of her powerful balance of energy. A lot of wonderful flowing creative feminine energy, which made her so easy to work with. But also a lot of structured and rooted masculine energy, which made for some amazing conversations about everything from politics to stocks, and even a mind-blowing discussion of the pandemic. A fascinating combination of yin and yang, which if I’m honest is very rare to come across.

Another interesting thing about Tracy is how hopeful she is about the future of this planet. She’s been through a lot (like a lot a lot), but when she talked about where we will be in the next 5 years, her energy was light and hopeful. Yes, some things may get worse before they get better, but her belief is that things will be getting A LOT BETTER in the future.

I often revisit our conversations from that day. Each encounter I have with Tracy leaves a unique impression on my life. I don’t think I have ever met anyone like her.

Thank you dear friend for what you bring to my life and the lives of others.

Big love,

D

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PS: If you’re ready to make something beautiful together this year, send me a DM or comment below. I’d love to connect.⁣

PPS: More info on this month's HEARTshot photography promo --> www.dariusbashar.com/heartshots