Shibari Shoots in Sweden

I spent my first White Christmas and New Years 2013 in Sweden.  It was so wonderful to spend it with Dmitri Reyer and his family as well as chill and escape the concrete jungle of Tokyo, where I had been for the last 6 weeks.  During that time, we also worked together and shot loads, as Dmitri discovered a new interest: Shibari!  Whilst in Japan, he had an introductory lesson from a French shibari artist and decided it would be good to practice it on me and produce some amazing photos.  And we did!

During the trip in Sweden we had at least four fruitful sessions for the bondage shoots.  Over time, Dmitri got more confident and was getting the knack quickly though we need to practice more.  I am, in fact, having so much fun being his guinea pig as well as his muse, so am happy to help him.  Traumatised by the damaged nerve I succumbed to in 2011, though, we are being extra careful and avoiding any “crazy” stuff like suspension and inversions.   It is more about showcasing the beauty of the female form in rope bondage we’re after rather than the physical effect rope bondage has on the female.  As such we were aiming to create something refined, artistic and even subtle whilst combining it with something as raw and edgy as shibari bondage.  

Dmitri had this ingenious idea of using the family piano as a prop.  The intention was to produce a piece called “Piano Lesson” in which we were hoping to involve another model as a dominatrix-style teacher, whereas I was to be the pupil all tied up in front of the piano.   Unfortunately this other model became unavailable so we proceeded to do this solo.  The image turned out just as wonderful!  I was tied to the chair with my arms bound to the back and both legs to the chair legs with the chest harness tied to the piano pedals.  To give this image a more classical feel, I was in nothing but my black holdups and stiletto heels.  Then Dmitri processed this image in a 1920’s retro-style mood.  Posted on his Facebook page we were chuffed to notice that within 24 hours we received a record nearly-60 likes!

Another living room shoot we did involved some hanging on ropes.  I had my hands tied together which was then suspended on a loop nailed to the ceiling.  Then my left knee was to be bent and the ankle suspended to the ceiling as well, whilst showing off the ultra-high stilletos.  To add some interesting effect, my hair got tied with some rope and suspended as well!  Captured from the profile view, it produced a sexy yet stunning high-fashion style image as I was wearing nothing but a collar, black suspenders, stockings and heels!

Much of the bondage shoots, though, was spent in the basement storage area. It was spread out over a few evenings, each lasting a few hours.  After 11pm or so nobody visits it so we can afford to sneak in for some nude bondage shots. The area was rather confined but created the right sort of cold and solitary atmosphere: painted grey concrete floor, white walls and wooden doors. During the first few shoots I donned a latex head mask breathable only through the nose.  Not recommended for the claustophobic but it was certainly worth it!  The images turned out tremendously dramatic with all the ropework which was simple yet restraining.  With Dmitri capturing the images in various angles, namely from the top upwards, the result was quite edgy and striking especially with the stiletto shoes.  In fact, the aim here was to combine fetish with “high fashion” which I think we achieved successfully.

We also worked on creating portraits using the fetish theme.  This time, it involved me wearing nothing but a black leather collar that inscribed “SLAVE” in metal with small chains around the collar loops and wrapping my wrists together hence restricting my movement.  I am supposed to look ecstatic with my eyes closed looking sensually feminine.  I would definitely like to develop this idea more in the future by maybe using a blindfold and having red lipstick on. 

I always enjoy working with Dmitri.  Though rather new to fetish photography, I love that he constantly thinks of ideas and concepts whilst coming up with something new.  We look forward to shooting more once back in Tokyo.  The storage room in my Tokyo apartment is definitely a must.  Can’t wait to shoot more! 

Erotic Shibari Shoot with David Rodriguez Toro

With Shibari artist Miyagi-san

Finally my first blog entry since arriving in Japan!  Despite my busy schedule out here, I’ve been managing to scatter photoshoots here and there.  However, putting priority on personal and family affairs have been preventing me from fully concentrating on modelling work let alone catching up on my blog for which I have quite a backlog!  Never mind.  Now that I have more spare time since last week till I leave in January end, I could now focus more on creating quality work.  And what better place for an authentic Japanese bondage Shibari shoot by a proper Japanese rope artist than Japan itself!

Well, I have done a number of shibari shoots in the past but with Western rope artists.  Being picky and working only through recommendation, I have been lucky enough to have worked in the UK with wonderful riggers like Wykd Dave and Rod McDonald as well as in Japan with Nuitdetokyo who is French.  However, I have always wanted to work with a Japanese rope artist to fully experience the native way.  Thus on 14 November 2012, I had the opportunity to shoot with Spanish photographer David Rodriguez Toro with whom I worked with many times before.  We have been talking about doing a Shibari shoot for some time and through corresponding on Facebook, David was able to find a reliable and experienced Shibari artist.  Enter Jun Miyagi!

We all met up at Meguro station around 10 am.  Along with David and Miyagi-san came another Spanish photographer, David Solanes, who was assisting that day, and also a graphic illustrator known as Zwanhg who is also from Spain.  The latter is a friend of David and was interested in creating a few “gore” illustrations through photos of me being tied up in rope.  Now, that sounds very inspiring and I look forward to seeing his work!

Miyagi-san was a very pleasant, polite and unassuming gentleman.  He took his time to describe what sort of ropework he was going to do for each set, whilst listening to David’s ideas.  When I told him about the radial nerve injury and subsequent trauma I had faced last year from a suspended position I did, he was most concerned.  He explained this is typically the result of having the middle of the bicep area sharply compressed for a long time, since the area hits the radial nerve.  Throughout the shoot, Miyagi-san kept asking me whether or not I was comfortable and insisted that I tell him if the ropes were too tight.   Apart from being skilled with the ropes, he clearly knew what he was doing!  I would definitely like to work with him again in future and of course would very much recommend this wonderfully talented artist.

Once again, David is never short of quirky ideas!  Being the exhibitionist I am and open-minded compared to the models out here in Japan, I enjoy capturing the daring and experimenting with concepts that may “shock” yet leave to the viewer’s imagination.  This Shibari shoot was one of them.  Likewise, David seems pleased to be able to work with someone like me, as I’m not afraid to explore provided I am comfortable with it. 

David is still working on some of the photos but I thought I would share my favorite one as above.  It features Miyagi-san as the “master” and really represents Japanese erotic photography though in milder terms.  The vulnerable image of me slightly exposed and loosely-wrapped in yukata secured by the ropes and the tattoos on Miyagi-san’s arm, as well as the gloomy black & white colouring of the photograph, strongly depict the mood.  I must also add that my apartment in Tokyo has a small “Japanese room” complete with 4.5 tatami mats, a tokonoma corner, paper oshiire closets and shoji with wooden frames.  Last winter was especially a cold one which caused the paper on the shoji to tear, leaving holes between the wooden frames.  I have not gotten around to repairing that but it came as a blessing for this shoot because as Miyagi-san suggested, it added to the eerie atmosphere typical in Japanese erotic images. 

I would like to thank all four of the guys for taking their time to come over and making this wonderful shoot possible.  For more information about David’s work, check out his website and blog.    I look forward to working with both of you again!

Hoping to receive the uncensored version soonest!

Stockholm Tour Trilogy - Window Display

The Bitch

In addition to classic nudes, I am looking to extend my fetish portfolio and explore erotica.  Unlike glamour or fashion modelling, they have no age limit if well pulled off.  It’s all about the art of making a statement and leaving the viewer with awe.  Fetish involves role playing to one’s fixations and fantasies, and thus, I find the idea of being in control wearing latex and boots just as exciting as being subject to the beautiful art of rope bondage.  Erotica aims to provoke and tease without the “in your face” vulgarity.   Not to be confused with pornography, it means exposing yourself elegantly and looking refreshingly sensual as opposed to overtly sexual.  The purpose is to leave the viewer imagining with the wow factor.

I was lucky to be able to capture a few such images during my trip.  Dmitri Reyer, the photographer with whom I was travelling in Sweden, has also been looking to explore the more outrageous.  So we decided to shoot some discreetly naughty yet subtly classy images in the living room using the natural light from the window.  We wanted to capture this “home” feel for a more spontaneous effect.  Again all the images were nude but it was about projecting a statement and focussing on the emotions.  The first set I was to assume a submissive role.  I wore nothing but a collar and leash, tugging at it whilst staring aimlessly out the window.  I really liked this image because it captured helplessness and despair without any exaggerated facial expressions of fear.   Relying on the natural light coming in from the window further enhanced the calm but gloomy mood.

In Waiting

And now for some role reversal and some truly bitchy stuff!  Dmitri cleared the dining table and had me sit on it.   Then had me wear nothing but my infamous pair of über-high Perspex platform sandals embellished with “BITCH” spelt loud and clearly across the side in diamante.  I sat and propped my legs and knees up to enhance the shoes which clearly required posing rather indecently.  To top it all, I had this  “don’t think you can f*** with me” smirk on my face.  And you’d think the image would turn out vulgar?  Wrong!  With clever lighting, correct facial expression and making the image black and white, the result came out very tastefully.   Even our parents would have been proud!

Another highlight to this shoot was an even more daring pose.  This time, I lay down on the table facing the window with my legs sprawed out.  Yep clearly for all the passer-by’s outside to see!  I must admit that even I was a little apprehensive but thought what the heck, is anyone really going to notice?  Besides, at that time of the day on a weekday in a quiet Stockholm suburb, there was not a soul in sight.  Dmitri took the photo from behind me.  And wow, the result was so stunning!  You can clearly see me with my legs wide open but the image was cleverly taken from an angle so that my chest was obstructing the area between my legs.  Being black and white further made the image look more serious and aesthetically pleasant.  Something that would be perfect for a Taschen photography book!

It is always great fun shooting with Dmitri and experimenting with different concepts.  This time there was a fetish and erotica element to them by being more daring.  The images nevertheless came out so tastefully and elegantly with immaculate lighting, interesting angles and perfect composition.  And he is right, I should stick to being photographed doing more artistic stuff as they suit me best.  It’s wonderful to be reminded that I can still manage to pull off looking exquisite and elegant when I’m nude and even assuming a risqué pose.  I definitely should exploit that.  Thanks so much, Dmitiri, for believing in me.  I look forward to shooting more of these with you again soon!

Exhibitionism

Again, for more of Dmitri's great work, please check out his Facebook Page!!!