It has been a long, long year.

To celebrate vaccination, I got together with E, who was actually one of the last people I did shibari with prior to the pandemic.

My ropework was a bit rusty, my fingers stumbled through knots, and I only gradually remembered the structure of the ties. Gradually I was able to get out of my head and embrace a spirit of play, just enjoying a moment of intimacy with a friend without judgement.

Shibari is often described as rope bondage, and a form of BDSM, but I think that there is something more to it. I wouldn’t call myself a master by any means, but my experience with photography has given me an outline of what is possible with shibari.

In short, while it only took me a few years to learn how to consistently take “good photos”, it took me about ten years of relentless practice with photography before I could reach what I consider to be true art: the ability to express one’s self. I think that a casual observer can read my photographs, and gain at least some insight into my character and what kind of person I am.

Here I am, again, back at the start of that process but this time with shibari.

I’m still figuring out how to consistently do “good ties,” but I already understand that that is merely the most basic fundamentals, just as how learning the basic functions of a camera and how lenses behave is only the starting point in photography. Right now I am focusing on how to provide a safe yet powerful experience, throughout the process from before the first touch of rope to skin to the untying itself.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy this recent session I did with E. Let me know what you think in the comments, and feel free to reach out if you are curious about booking a session for yourself.

Stay safe out there.