"My photoshoot experience with Shane was so wonderful! Shane’s ability to bring forth a creative space that was fun and natural impressed me, as I tend to be a little shy in front of the camera and I was definitely unsure how to pose... During our session, I felt I could easily lean into my personality, and he captures it in his photos effortlessly.”
Read MoreLike many women I work with, A is normally is the one at the top of control in her professional life, and she was looking forward to an opportunity to experience something different. In this case, an expression of finding release and freedom through sensuality.
Read MoreFor all my skill in helping others gain confidence in front of the camera, when it comes to myself, I feel like I need as much help as anyone else. Each of these photos took several outtakes, deep breaths, and giving myself permission to be seen, in a vulnerable way.
Read MoreThis was another shibari session at twilight with A, who I’ve worked with before. My goal with this session was to capture the feeling of the experience of tying or being tied.
Read MoreThis is from a minimalist Shibari session I did with Maddie at my studio in Los Angeles. If you are reminded of the way the light strikes a crescent moon, then I am glad.
Read MoreWhen Anastasia reached out to me about doing a photo session, she expressed a particular interest in the shibari aspect of it. I had done similar work with a friend of hers, and she was eager to try it out. When I’m tying for a photo session, I typically do a handful of looks, starting with a classic torso box-tie with the arms behind the back, and this Diamond or Tortoise-shell dress type of pattern that is easily adaptable for a variety of looks such as over clothes or with a matching leg-tie. Towards the end of the session, I typically either do asymmetrical freeform tying without any predetermined pattern, or improvise something based on the client’s request.
Read MoreThis is a recent shibari session I did with Sarah, our first time working together. The goal was to make work that was elegant and sensual, and explore the mystery of how the ethereal aspect of our souls/personality intertwines with the flesh and blood nature of being human.
Read MoreSHIBARI 縛り is the Japanese style of rope bondage, which is both an art form as well as a BDSM activity, and is derived from historical methods of tying up prisoners. For me, shibari is a mode of kinesthetic communication between two people. But what does that mean?
Read MoreJessica and I have worked together several times now, and each time I have learned something new. This time, I tried techniques I had gleaned from sources documenting a traditional Japanese martial art’s style of binding with rope.
Read MorePaloma and I met while I was working on a photo project in Havana, and we did a session on one of my last days there. Our location was a lovely mansion turned hotel, located on a hill with an excellent rooftop view of the entire city.
Read MoreShibari is a mysterious thing. How can the sensation of being restricted give the feeling of freedom?
Maybe it only seems like a paradox from that perspective. Lao Tzu describes the Tao, the Way, as one of yielding and “returning.” Letting things flow, like water running down a mountain into a valley. Perhaps rope bondage is simply a guide to that space of acceptance and letting go, which is a feeling that our culture tries to avoid at all costs. I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe it is neither. It is also possible that the appearance of conflict arises simply because our minds, overwrought with puritanical doctrine, want an explanation deeper than “touch feels good,” as if that wasn’t profound enough.
Read MoreJessica writes: It was such a pleasure to work with Shane. Before we started we talked about my boundaries. He listened and helped guide me through out our shoot. Watching him tie was very intriguing and relaxing. I felt so at ease the whole time. As we shot he would show me what we had shot and I couldn’t believe it was me. He captures you perfectly and elegantly. Looking forward to shooting again.
Read MoreThis is a question that I’ve been hesitant to approach, because for a long time I wasn’t sure.
It took me over ten years of photography before I started to find my voice and figure out what it was I had been trying to say all along, and likewise shibari has taken some time, about ten years off and on. Most of my realizations have come after I found my voice through the art of photography, and started to find parallels.
This boudoir session with Tiffany took place just as winter was starting to end in Los Angeles, though it may look like summer to folks elsewhere in the world. The session itself was effortless, I truly believe that when photographer and subject are in sync, soulful photographs are as natural as sunshine.
Read MoreNathalie and I decided to do another virtual session, since travel is still limited and she’s currently living in Europe. I woke up early in the morning here in Los Angeles to catch the late afternoon in her time zone (nobody said being a photographer was easy). As the shoot went on, Nathalie became more confident in herself and got into her groove, barely needing any direction from me.
Read MoreIt 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.
New work from my recent virtual boudoir session with Genesis. With this session, I felt inspired by the quickly fading winter light.
Read MoreEarlier this month I had the pleasure of a virtual photo session with Marlena. For this session we decided to go with an intimate feeling, and in this set we made use of her lovely vanity for a through the looking-glass effect.
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