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!

Second Helpings with Niko and Dave

This is the second installment of my blog on the East Midlands Fetish Tour II. On the day of arriving in the area on 13 November 2010, I had the honour of shooting with Niko (also know as Clover) and Wykd Dave again. I only know them by their screen names and honestly don't know their real names yet but who cares! They're still awesome to work with as well as being one of my good friends. Dave is highly praised in the shibari circuit in UK, also getting quite known abroad, while his partner, Niko, continues to model beautifully with the best photographers and is doing well with the photography side too.

Dave picked me up from Derby station and drove us to their pad where Niko greeted me with big hugs. We had some lunch and chatted for a while. Previously I told Niko that I got myself some Japanese school

uniforms on e-bay and I seem to remember her mentioning that the navy-blue winter uniforms are hard to get hold of. So.... I thought it would be a pleasant surprise for her and moreover most appropriate for the shibari theme. Both Niko and Dave were so excited about this and so was I! In fact... Dave was so excited that a small school desk and chair was waiting for us all ready to be shot with at the studio. How cute is that!

So there I was in my school uniform ... sitting on the tiny chair getting my right leg bound in "futomomo" whilst having both of my hands tied back from over my head. I was supposed to look distressed though in reality I was not at all in pain as David is very highly skilled at tying and making sure I had no discomfort. We also added a few sets in which I am to be caught red-handed looking at some bondage pictures for which I am to be later punished. So more an expression of "Oh no, I've been busted"!

After a break, we thought we'd experiment shooting upstairs where the extra bedroom is. It was Dave & Niko's first time as well. Dave "ripped" the carpets from the floor so we would have the floorboards as background. While the crimsom red walls in the downstairs studio created a dark solemn atmosphere, the white walls and the natural light from the window in the upstairs room created a brighter effect, a change of scenery. I was quite impressed how well the images turned out. So well done, Niko!

Though still in my schoolgirl outfit, we did a different bondage style. Dave this time tied my wrists and forearms together to create a sort of "prayer" position which in turn would be roped in conjuction with having my ribcage area being bound so I can't move my arms at all. Then I was to sit on the floor and my right ankle would be tied as if I were going to be dragged!! Hehe in the last of the series, my panties would be down to my shin as Dave created a futomomo again on my left thigh... I have to say that was rather naughty... but cute!

We also did a few topless shoots where I'd be just in my school skirt. Dave created a "breast

harness" or a variation of the shinju whilst my arms would be tied back. Going on my side on the floor, my ankles would be tied together like they were going to be dragged or being leashed on a post. In actual fact, it was one of Dave's kettlebells the rope was tied to!

Our last set was back downstairs, and this time no uniform! In fact nothing on but ropes. I knelt on the floor and again had my arms tied back. Dave created a "harness" in the breast and hip area and as I leaned back as far as I can, the harnesses were suspended to a ring on the ceiling. I myself was not suspended as my legs were still on the floor but even just bending backwards was just as effective in terms of aestheticism and comfort level. Dave and Niko got hold of some beautiful Japanese "sensuu" fans which they fastened on the ropes leading to the ceiling. And wow, the effect was outstanding...!

By the time we were done, we were all quite exhausted. Elaborate rope bondage, namely

shibari, does take up quite a lot of energy but certainly brings back the positive vibes. This time we weren't able to do full suspension but as we have done that the last time, it was better we did something different and focus on the "naughty schoolgirl" theme. As usual, Dave was very quick and skillful in his rope tying and I felt safe. Niko was also with us the entire time of course taking the pictures and she too kept making sure I was okay and to let them know if I feel uncomfortable at any time. As I mentioned in my blog on the last shoot with them, Niko is a model as well so can sympathise with our concerns.... no faffing about with the lighting or position, all is well thought out before Dave ties the model...

As usual I am very pleased with the results. The quality of the pictures turned out so well, and the ropework was beautiful. I hope to work with them soon as they are so pleasant to have around and such fun to work with. Thank you both of you again!!!