Toronto Portrait Photographer || HEARTshots || Black + White Photography — Darius Bashar | Toronto Portrait Photographer

11 Rules for Art and Life

1. Take risks often. Push edges daily… even small ones.

2. Make mistakes. Get messy.

3. Create faster than your mind can think… not always, but definitely when you feel stuck.

4. Accept full responsibility for your life. It’s the only way to access your full power.

5. Write love letters to yourself.

6. Stay open, even if you’ve been hurt before.

7. Be kind and gentle.

8. Be bold too…

9. But most of all, BE YOU.

10. Make cool shit with cool people.

And remember that those who love you will still love you… even if your posts get 0 likes.

And don’t worry about those who don’t… they’re too busy worrying about themselves.

Because…

11. in the end, everyone gets a standing ovation.

Everyone.

Toronto Photography, Toronto PhotographerDarius BasharDecember 17, 2020Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyComment

1 FREE Photoshoot (Holiday Giveaway)

2020 was in many ways the most challenging year of my life AND somehow also one of the best years of my life.

The amount of growth, expansion, connection, friendship and gratitude that I felt this year was unparalleled.

I have so much to be thankful for and I also have a deep desire to give back.

As a token of my gratitude, I want to give away 1 FREE HEARTshot photography session. This is valued at $2497.

There are no catches. You don’t need to buy anything or spend a single dollar.

My intention is to pick one person in my community that is having a challenging 2020 and gift them this experience as a powerful way to launch into the new year.

If you are interested visit the link below and throw your hat into the ring. What do you have to lose?

The form takes 1 minute to fill out.

On Thursday Dec 31st, I will do a LIVE on Facebook and pick one person from everyone who applied.

The actual shoot will take place sometime in 2021 AND IT WILL BE EPIC. I promise. 😊

Thank you. 🙏🏽I love you and HAPPY holidays to you and yours.

D

Here’s the link —> www.dariusbashar.com/1-free-photoshoot

Toronto Photography, Toronto PhotographerDarius BasharDecember 15, 2020Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyComment

Newer Brilliance

It’s really cool working with world-class entrepreneurs, authors and thought leaders. They obviously have a lot of muscle memory when it comes to photoshoots. After many years of experience they know what it's like to authentically express themselves in the world.

I always learn a lot during those shoots. Not just about photography, but about life.

I also absolutely adore working with newer brilliance. Humans that are just getting started with their signature offering to the world.

These are very talented, kind and powerful people who have done a lot of awesome stuff already, but have recently decided to double down on their gifts. They are at a place where they are looking to express themselves and their businesses on a whole other level.

These photoshoots are very special to me because the shift at the end of a single session is ASTRONOMICAL. It’s like they got to taste the true power of their gifts and they walk out an entirely different person.

My HEARTshot session with Deirdre Abigail was just such an experience.

It was exhilarating for me to watch her grow through our session. By the end she was beaming with light and ready for 10 more photoshoots.

Thank you my friend for showing up like the powerhouse and rockstar you truly are.

Big love,

D

——

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

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Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyDarius BasharDecember 14, 2020Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyComment

Meet Cool Humans Often

Sometimes I feel like I started my photography business just to invite really interesting, smart, and hilarious humans from around the world into my home for epic conversations.

I knew early on that my get-to-know-you process took time and required deep connection with the humans I photograph. In fact, most of my sessions are 4 hours long… but I don’t take the photos til the 4th hour. That means we have 3 hours to dive deep into conversation.

Given how much time I require for my unique photography process (AKA my HEARTshots), I made a conscious decision to work with really freaking interesting humans. I mean, if I’m going to spend hours and hours with people, why not seek out the coolest humans that would add value to my life?

Suchitra is a great example of that. She’s fun, smart, kind and has so many amazing life stories that she so generously shared with me during our session.

Thanks for showing up so fully, Suchitra. Thanks for saying yes to expressing yourself. Thanks for all the work you do in the world. And thanks for an afternoon full of laughter and awesome photos.

Big love,

D

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

Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyDarius BasharDecember 10, 2020Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, HEARTshotsComment

Director X Photoshoot For TEDxToronto (Story Behind The Photo)

A couple of years ago, TEDxToronto commissioned me to take black and white portraits of all the speakers for that year’s event. I’m a big fan of TEDxToronto and have worked with them for a few years now, but my schedule was extra packed at the time and I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to fit this ambitious project into my calendar.

That’s when the team at TEDxToronto sent me the speaker list…

As soon as I saw Director X on the list, I knew I had to find a way to make this project work.

If you don’t know who Director X is — he is one of the top music video directors in the world. He’s worked with Drake, Future, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Sean Paul, Miguel, Usher, Ariana Grande and many, many more.

I’ve been a mega fan for a long time and was thrilled at the notion of getting to take Director X’s portrait.

About an hour before my team and I were supposed to photograph Director X, it turns out he could no longer make it to the set. Total bummer!

Of course, that’s not how the story ends…

This short video is the story of that time when I almost missed out on photographing the iconic Director X.

Big love!

D

PS: If you enjoyed this video and want to see more like it, subscribe to my YouTube channel. I share all sorts of FREE videos like this that will help you continue up-levelling your skills as a Creator. ⁣⁣

<< CLICK TO ENLARGE PHOTOS>>

Toronto Photography, Toronto Photographer, story behind the photoDarius BasharDecember 8, 2020Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, story behind the photoComment

Dear Artist Vol. 02 - Blake Fly

Dear Blake,

I woke up today feeling you in my heart and I wanted to share my gratitude for you.

Your “Thank U” parties opened my heart to a deeper level of appreciation for my life and my community. They changed the way I saw the world. After I attended your event, it was like my eyes were upgraded to see all the beauty, kindness and hilarity everywhere.

Your support and leadership in “Project Finish” helped me double my business revenue in less than 2 months, but even more importantly you helped me feel more authentic and honest in how I show up in the world.

Having you in our Archangel business mastermind has been amazing too. We joined this business group to grow our businesses—to receive wisdom and knowledge from Gio and his instructors—but you are ALWAYS giving back to the group. If you have an idea for someone’s business you never hesitate to jump in and share. If you see someone doing cool shit, you cheer them on no matter what. If you can promote someone else’s dream you are there in a flash; NO QUESTIONS ASKED!

I’ve learned so much about abundance, generosity and kindness just by watching you.

I also see your artist-self and I love that dude. Your level of creativity and innovation is a thing of beauty. I understand why so many people hire you to mentor them and their businesses. You are an endless supply of AMAZING creative ideas, Blake.

I love you brother and can’t wait for your next amazing idea.

Sincerely,

D

PS: I am so freaking pumped for your “Thank U Live” event next Wednesday. Events like this are more important in 2020 than ever before.

PPS: You might be a dad by next Wednesday!!! Your little dude might even be at your Thank U Live event. WOOOOO!!!

— — — — — — —

If anyone wants to join next Wednesday here is the link. Get your tickets before they’re GONE! → https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/old-page-thank-u-live-year-5-of-55-tickets-83912818499

<<CLICK TO ENLARGE THE PHOTOS BELOW>>

Dear Artist, Toronto PhotographerDarius BasharNovember 26, 2020Dear Artist, Toronto PhotographerComment

Dear Artist Series Vol. 01 Chris Assaad

Dear Chris,

I woke up this morning feeling a lot of love in my heart for you.

Your open heart, your deep and direct wisdom, and your ability to really see me—even when I couldn’t see myself—changed my life in so many amazing ways.

How is it possible that we have only really been homies for just over a year now? It feels like we’ve been friends forever.

This morning I was thinking about the early days of COVID. I remember when I first had the idea for Artist Morning, and felt so terrified and confused about what I should do with it.

You told me to follow my joy. To follow what feels good and easy. I have heard this advice hundreds of times in the past from so many people, but it was more about the transmission of strength and certainty in how you said it.

Your love allowed me to soften. And your support allowed me to let go of who I thought I had to be, so that I could discover who I was becoming.

What a fucking gift you are. So inspired and uplifted by you (and your art).

Love you, my dude!

Darius

PS: I’ve told you this so many times in the past, but it still trips me out to listen to your music and think to myself, “This DUDE, this incredible ARTIST is my friend.” You know I am freaking bonkers about your music. You are easily one of my favourite musical artists and that has 0.00% to do with our friendship. That is 100% about how your music makes me feel.

PPS: I can't wait for your new album LION to drop tomorrow. It's for sure my favourite so far. Proud of you brother!!!

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Toronto Photographer, HEARTshotsDarius BasharNovember 19, 2020Toronto Photographer, Dear Artist, HEARTshotsComment

The Shoot That Changed Everything

5 years ago I had just started working as a fashion photographer.

I quickly booked 20+ paid shoots.

Big sets, crazy talented models, amazing teams. I got to flex some new creative muscles.

But something was off. I felt really distant from my heart. I longed for something more intimate.

And I remember one night I was photoshopping beauty marks from a model’s body and I thought to myself, “This can’t be why I am here.”

My frustration finally built up to the point where I found myself on Facebook asking, “Does anyone want to come in for an hour and let me experiment with some black and white portraits?”

Really important note here: fashion photography IS NOT THE SAME is black and white portraiture. Not even close!

In fact, I had NO IDEA how to light black and whites.

I didn’t even know what lens to use. Or how to set up the portrait backdrop.

But I put myself out there because there was a deep longing for something new.

A new creative expression I had no logical idea how I would execute. It was a total experiment.

During the first portrait session, I shot my friend Majid (aka “Mach”) for a couple hours.

(He’s the human in photo 1.)

Later that night, my obsession took over and I edited all the photos and posted them on Facebook.

The next morning I was bombarded with hundreds of likes and comments on the photos of Majid I posted.

Little did I know this random creative experiment would forever change my life. This was the beginning of my portrait photographer career.

Since that seemingly innocent shoot exactly 5 years ago today, I have been blessed to work with hundreds of epic humans from all over the world.

I have clocked over 500,000 photos in the past 5 years (insane, right?!) and learned so much about life on earth.

Thank you to each and every one of you incredible humans that have collaborated with me. This has been the most amazing journey so far and I know it’s just getting started.

PS: For anyone interested in working with me I have a brand new “5 year, 500K” photo promo that is THE BEST promo I have ever had. Ever ever ever! If you are interested DM me with the work “5 years!” and I will send you the deets.

Toronto PhotographerDarius BasharNovember 16, 2020Toronto Photographer, Portrait PhotographerComment