Shibari Shoot with Niko & Dave

I had my second Shibari experience in the summer during my East Midlands Tour. The evening following the latex shoot with Les Harwick (as per last entry), I boarded the bus to Ilkeston on 1 August 2010 to work with Niko and her partner and shibari expert Dave Wykd. And what a fine experience it was!

Niko began photography recently but is also a model known as Clover, a sweet and lovely young Irish girl from Dublin studying in Nottingham. It was from Fetlife that she "discovered" me and sent me a message asking me if I'd like to work with her and David for a shibarishoot. I have seen the works of both of them, Niko for her quality images and David for

his beautiful ropework, so I immediately jumped at the opportunity as I was looking to add some more such images in my portfolio, especially after having enjoyed the experience with Rod MacDonald some months before!

After an hour or so bus ride from Nottingham to Ilkeston, I was met up by Niko at the town square, and we walked to their home. She was just as I imagined, very sweet and hospitable! As I was still full up from the pub curry lunch earlier in the day, I let them have their dinner before meeting up with me and arrived at the doorstep where David greeted me. Their front room is used a studio in which the windows were curtained and the walls painted red though Niko typically takes her photos B&W. With the shoot starting the next morning, we just chatted, browsed through various books on rope bondage, relaxed and watched TV and "St.Trinian's II" before retiring off to bed.

Next morning after shower and nipping to Tesco's to buy lunch and dinner, we proceeded with the shoot. But first...Niko instructed me NOT to wear any make-up or do my hair! In fact, it was Dave who initially shook his head when Niko suggested shooting me. The reason? Because I was too made up. Natural was the look they were after. Imagine doing a shoot with no make-up on! But being a skillful make-up artist, though, I have to confess I did slap on some foundation and powder to even out my skin tone and prevent shine, along with eyeliner and mascara to enhance eyes (no false lashes this time!), blusher for a healthy glow and lipliner and clear lip gloss for a fresh-faced natural look. Sorry guys but I couldn't resist!

We started the session with me dressed in a white yukata (Japanese-style gown) with sakura cherry blossom patterns. Dave tied me up around the chest (shinju) and upper arms with my hands tied back with the aim of suspending me from the back before I was stripped off t

he yukata and in nude, as Niko clicked away. Then Dave proceeded in getting me to squat and tying my thighs to my legs whilst knees bent, a terminology known as futomomo (means "thick thigh" in Japanese).

Luckily my Japanese upbringing has enabled me to be able to squat for a reasonable amount of time though I do get pins and needles as my family always used Western furniture like chairs and tables.

With my hands tied back, arms pinned to my sides and knees bent, Dave tied the ropes on my back to the pulley suspension from the ceiling. Scary!!! Even scarier was Dave gently pulling the ropes so that I was really upside down! However, once I was upside down, I was somewhat feeling good, letting the world go by and enjoying the ride. Niko meanwhile was clicking away, knowing exactly which position to shoot from and with experience had the lighting to her satisfaction so there was no faffing about.

Once I was taken down for a swig of water, I got into my yukata and we did some floorwork concentrating on the upper body. This involved binding my arms behind my back and creating patterns with the ropework. One of them is called teppo which means rifle in Japanese, implying a soldier carrying a rifle on his back. It was amazing what a beautiful artwork rope-tying makes! Before breaking up for lunch, we did a quick set in which I was in my yukata again, tied in the chest area with my arms behind and gagged with the same rope. A matching blindfold with the yukata pattern was added for more effect.

Then after lunch, we resumed with more floorwork this time using a bamboo pole which Dave suspended low until it was just a foot off the ground. I was to lie down on the floor being tied to the pole by my ankles, looking helpless as my arms were crossed over my chest and bound. We also added a cloth gag as well. Then the ropes came off and I was ready for another suspension action!

This time, I was suspended horizonally from ceiling along a strong bamboo pole. The pole was strong alright! Ropes were used to suspend me from my ankle, mid thigh, waist and chest. In order to prevent my bottom leg from dangling, it was tied to my other leg knees bent. That was the most difficult position of all, even more than being upsidedown. Upsidedown, at least one can just dangle. But sideways, one really needs to use body strength to keep upright ev

en despite the ropes helping. It was most challenging but my favorite of my images of the day!

The shoot was concluded by more floorwork but at a sitting position . It was a combination of the futomomo on my left leg (tying my upper and lower leg together with knees bent) and tying my lower and upper arm together with elbow bent) on on my left arm. However, my right forearm was to be tied to my right shin area! It really made an interesting effect (see pic on the right hand side of blog) . Once I was untied I not only felt "released" but also very exhausted and a little spaced out. I was nevertheless very pleased with how the shoot went and how the day progressed observing the wonders of ropework. Apart from its effect from a rope-bondage perspective, the point of shibari is for aesthetic purposes, a reason why I enjoy participating.

We had a quick dinner before Dave and Nico drove me to Nottingham station, and we had some coffee whilst waiting for my train back to London. Their hospitality was well appreciated as well as their quality of work and the teamwork. It also helps that Nico is also a model and hence appreciates what it's like to be on our side of the camera. Once I made my choices of ten photos for Niko to edit, I received them a few days after, and was very pleased with the results. I would definitely work with them again... THANK YOU, NICO AND DAVE!!!