Darius Bashar
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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. 

Posts tagged Black and white Photography
This is Kalen
 

On Saturday morning, I had the sudden urge to watch a few of the music videos I made almost 10 years ago. You might not know this, but before I was a photographer I was a cinematographer and director.

I usually avoid looking at the work from my past because it has a way of making me cringe. I can be hard on myself.

But to my surprise, I was impressed. As I watched these videos from a decade back, I was awestruck by how that younger version of me came up with so many creative ideas.

It might have taken me 10 years, but I finally felt able to appreciate my old work in a way I was not capable of at the time.

This experience made me wonder, “Why was I so hard on myself?”

What would have happened if I took 10% of that critical energy and poured it into encouraging and supporting myself?

I really appreciated Kalen’s message in this video to his younger self. This was certainly a message I needed to hear too.

Thank you, Kalen, for stopping and for taking a few moments to make art with a stranger.

Big love,

D

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

 
Darius BasharNo Strangers Art, Street Photography, Black and white Photography, Taking Photos of StrangersComment
Nooshin Sairafi
 

This was my first photoshoot with Nooshin, but it most definitely won’t be my last.

Yes, she is beautiful. That’s obvious. Yet what’s more impressive to me is how deep and intentional she was throughout our session.

As with most of my photography sessions, we started with a juicy 2-hour conversation.

Hearing her story and learning about her intentions with this photoshoot got me so excited.

By the end of our session I remember having this deeply inspired and hopeful feeling. And it wasn’t just because we took so many incredible photos together.

This hopeful state was due to witnessing the way in which Nooshin loved and celebrated herself through these photos—all of them.

She’s clearly done a lot of inner work to be able to hold space for all the different versions of herself that showed up in the photos. I shared a tiny handful in this IG video, but an entire spectrum of Nooshin showed up and she greeted each version of herself with kindness, compassion and love.

Well done Noosh… I am already planning our next collab!

Love,

D

 
Darius BasharBlack and white Photography, HEARTshots, Toronto PhotographerComment
Francis
 

Francis was a kind and handsome man. He was also very funny. He was cracking jokes throughout our shoot about being more famous than Jackie Chan. :)

This photoshoot was also a unique challenge, as Francis wanted to keep his mask on for all the photos. Half of his face was totally covered for every single photo.

I couldn’t help think to myself:

“Is it even possible to get a good portrait of someone when you can’t see their face?”

You tell me?

Can you feel this beautiful man’s energy in these photos?

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 Francis and taking these photos, check out my Instagram or my TikTok.

 
Darius BasharNo Strangers Art, Street Photography, Portrait Photographer, Black and white Photography, No StrangersComment
Don't Get Bored AND Don't Get Boring

I want to take photos for at least the next 50 years. That’s a long time. In order to make it I will need to make sure I don’t get bored but also that I don’t get boring.

The only way to do that is by giving myself a lot of permission to play, experiment and get messy.

Thank you to my dear friend Micha who is always so down to play and get messy with me.

Love you brother.

D

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE PHOTOS

 
Darius BasharBlack and white Photography, Artist Portraits, Toronto PhotographerComment
My Secret Weapon For Focus

One day I will no longer be able to pick up a camera.

One day I will no longer be able to use my hands to write and type.

One day I will no longer be able to hug and hold those I love.

These are facts. Each undeniable.

When I am able to truly accept these harsh realities, instead of feeling doomed, I experience freedom.

Freedom to say, do and be who I really am, before those "one days" find me and it's too late.

Writing, Black and White PortraitsDarius Basharwriting, Black and white PhotographyComment
Sal Talon (AKA Art Mom)

This is my dear Friend Sal Talon. ⁣ ⁣

She just turned 30 this past weekend. The world is a better place with her in it. She's a mega talented human that has left a big impact on my life.⁣ ⁣

Her new album Glass Canon dropped on her b-day, last Friday. If you have a chance give it a listen. I'm really loving it myself.⁣ ⁣

Here's her Spotify link --> CLICK HERE

Big love, ⁣ ⁣

D

Darius BasharSummer of Art, Black and white Photography, Portrait Photographer, Artist PortraitsComment
Kendrick David Kemp (Black and White Portraits)

It’s a trip looking back at old work. Sometimes I am so focus on "the mission" that I can totally forget about really amazing moments that got me to this point. Sometimes slowing down can actually be the most productive thing I can do.

When I look at these photos I smile. I feel energized. I feel inspired and I feel deeply grateful.

This was a very short, but very fun photoshoot I did with Kendrick. It was a test shoot for a TEDxToronto project I was working on. I think we only had 30 mins together, but somehow we got so many awesome photos.

Kendrick, I think it's time for round two. You ready? I sure am!!

Portrait Photography, Black and White PortraitsDarius BasharBlack and white Photography, Portrait Photographer, Toronto PhotographerComment
Frances Young - Black + White Experience

Have you ever thought about all of the amazing humans who will impact your life, that you have not YET met?⁠⁣

This idea brings me so much joy, because it reminds me that the best is yet to come. ⁠⁣

It also reminds me that I have so many more friends to meet and play with. ⁠⁣

Thank you @Frances Young for being such an absolute joy to co-create with.⁣

We took so many stunning photos together. Not bad for the first time we ever met in real life. ⁠⁣

I can't wait for our next play date. ⁠⁣

Big love, ⁠⁣⁠⁣

D⁠⁣

---⁣

PS: I've currently got a really great photography promo. 2 for 1 deal. If you are interested in making something beautiful together send me a message. I'd love to connect.

Black and White Portraits, Toronto PhotographerDarius BasharBlack and white Photography, Portrait Photographer, Toronto PhotographerComment
Not Easy, But Definitely Worth It

It’s not easy taking photos of another seasoned photographer. 

There’s more pressure because they understand the essence of the art form and they know what’s possible. 

There are also more hurdles because they know “the tricks” to disarming people, and often will have fortified the walls around their own hearts. 

And I get it—I do the same thing when the roles are reversed. It’s almost unconscious. 

Thankfully, I‘ve photographed many awesome photographers over the years and was prepared when I got this amazing opportunity to capture one of my faves, my dear friend Mich Chiu. 

This shoot was a ton of fun and also very challenging in the most soul-fulfilling ways. 

I absolutely love these photos of Mich. They have a lot of sentimental meaning to me. I saw a part of myself in her that day and that brought me closer to both her and myself. 

My favourite creative collaborations are the ones where we somehow transcend “you” and “me” and become something else… something bigger, and maybe something timeless. 

Thank you Mich for saying yes. Thank you for trusting the process and really leaning in. 

I can’t wait for our next collaboration.

Love, 

D

PS: If you want to make something beautiful together in 2021, send me a quick DM or comment below with the word “2021”. I've got a great promo this month.

Black and White Portraits, Photography, Portrait Photography, Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyDarius BasharBlack and white Photography, Portrait Photographer, Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyComment