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

Testimonial Tuesdays - Kristin Dorsey

“Never in my life have I felt so comfortable in front of a camera or so blown away by the images that were captured. I wanted to do the shoot for my birthday —my 39th birthday—and to capture how I show up in the world with the strength and wisdom I've gathered in life so far. The photos show that and so much more, and it was all due to the fantastic experience that Darius created, and allowed me to create with him.

Darius didn't just start shooting, he walked me through the whole process, explained techniques and angles; he basically gave me a little class in how to be a model. It was extraordinary. The shoot was so relaxing and so much fun that I was disappointed when it was time to stop! I wanted to keep trying new things and taking more pictures! I can't wait to come back next year and do a shoot for my 40th birthday!"

- Kristin Dorsey

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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, Portrait Photography, Black and White Portraits, Testimonial TuesdaysDarius BasharFebruary 2, 2021Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, Black and White Photography, Portrait Photographer, Testimonial TuesdaysComment

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

California Dreaming

This time last year, I was in Los Angeles setting up for a full week of magical photoshoots. Jenn came down with me and we had so much fun. We rented a few whimsical Airbnbs for the shoots.

One of the houses was in the Hollywood Hills; we could literally see the iconic Hollywood sign from the bathroom window. This particular house was where Charlie Chaplin would stay during his time in LA. And many years back, it belonged to a successful production designer—the guy who made Dorothy’s famous red shoes in The Wizard of Oz!

That magic most definitely extended into my time with Angela Lauria. I knew her from a previous photoshoot with Archangel a few months back. The day before our shoot I watched a really cool documentary film about her life. Needless to say, I knew she was an epic human being.

Angela’s success is not an accident; she has worked her ass off and blasted through so many limiting beliefs around self-worth and abundance. Her company, The Author Incubator, has helped over 1,000 people write over 1,500 books. Writing a book is on almost everyone’s bucket list, but most of us never get around to it. And these books have probably impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands.

I loved diving in with Angela and getting closer to her. I also love the photos we captured together. Thanks for being so awesome, Angela.

The best part is that we’ve got 5 more shoots booked together—once the US/Canada borders open up again. I can’t wait to see what we come up with next!

Big LOVE,

D

PS: If you’re ready to make something beautiful together this year, comment below or send me a DM. (I’d love to tell you about this month's HEARTshot photography promo.)

Toronto Photography, Toronto PhotographerDarius BasharJanuary 25, 2021Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyComment

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

Remember You Are Infinite

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” - Albert Camus

Photo by: Darius BasharBeautiful human by: Jordan Lindo — Photo by: Darius Bashar
Beautiful human by: Jordan Lindo

Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, SoftMenDarius BasharJanuary 15, 2021Toronto Photographer, Toronto Photography, SoftMenComment

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

HEARTshots, Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyDarius BasharJanuary 11, 2021Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyComment

And The Winner Is...

In December I offered a chance to win 1 FREE photoshoot with me in 2021. Over 100 people sent me their stories for this contest, which worked out to over 14,000 words… many of which moved me to my core.

You guys have amazing lives and stories and picking a winner was INSANELY TOUGH. I have tremendous admiration and respect for each and every one of you.

Thank you for sharing a little piece of yourself with me in the submissions. I wish I could give all of you a free shoot.

I’m going to do at least 2 more photoshoot giveaways in 2021. If you’d like to know when the next one will be, add your name to my email list and I’ll keep you updated. For now I need to recover from this selection process—that was SO challenging!

Congrats to the winner (watch the video if you’re curious who won). I will reach out to you in the next 2 days with next steps.

Email list notification for next giveaway → https://www.dariusbashar.com/1-free-photoshoot

Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyDarius BasharJanuary 9, 2021Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyComment

Who Would You Be?

Who would you be if you let go of what other people think?

Who would you be if you gave yourself full permission to shine?

How would your life change this year if you LET GO of your past and all of the times things didn’t go exactly how you had hoped?

What would happen to your life today if you truly accepted that tomorrow you could be dead?

What would happen to you this year if you found the courage to declare your dreams to the world—not the dumbed-down, diluted, safe version of your dreams, but your real fucking dreams?

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PS: The beautiful, brave and brilliant human in these photos is my friend @KrishaYoung.

PPS: 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 promo --> www.dariusbashar.com/heartshots

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<<CLICK TO ENLARGE>>

Black and White Portraits, Toronto Photographer, Toronto PhotographyDarius BasharJanuary 5, 2021Toronto Photography, Toronto Photographer, Black and white PhotographyComment

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