How long have you been taking photographs and how did you start doing it?
I was in and out of photography back in 2003 since I was still doing Paintings and some pluralist art. But as a career, I started exclusively shooting photographs in 2008 so technically about 12 years this year. I started with just shooting nudes and one of my 1st models was my cousin Michelle then later followed with other models. I also shot some street pictures between those years and I was shooting ever since.
What is photography for you and how it is connected with sexuality?
Photography for me is a tool to capture visual hints of your memory, And usually the ones you remember are sentimental moments, and important events. But in history Sex and vanity has always been portrayed and documented through the years in paintings, prints, scriptures and sculptures, like that small figurine; The Venus of Willendorf with exaggerated sexual features which suggests an early fertility fetish which dates back about 22000 BC, and other than that, every country has its own take. So it is quite inevitable for having the connection because it is in our human nature. And photography is just another medium for it.
Art and pornography. Do you separate them or mix them?
I try to blur the gap between Art and pornography, because they both serve the same purpose which is to stimulate senses.
What is your relationship with your models?
Some of them are ex-girlfriends and some are random sexual encounters. But most of them are friends who are like-minded people.
Can you tell me your favourite photographers?
You can trace the aesthetics and sensibilities from the works of Moriyama Daido, Anders Petersen, the use of their blacks and the grays are very stark. Antoine D’Agata’s striking visual story telling. Kurata Seiji Flash work, Bondage photography and eroticism of Sugiura Norio, Akio Fuji and Araki. Those are my favorites.
As a rigger and a photographer, when you take a photograph you prefer to show your bondage work or your relationship with photography?
I used to take pictures of my rope work, It’s really for reference so I can improve my craft. But I realize that it is quite difficult to be both a photographer and a rigger. So recently I thought of having an assistant to shoot my routine, so I can have a sense of involvement within the frame, and capture intimacy and connection with whomever subject Im working with. So practically showing more than just my bondage work.
As a rope lover, why do you like tiying people?
At first Bondage was just for me to show the beauty of the models like a flower arrangement but the longer i was doing it, the more it became like sexual urge. I couldn’t stop after that. I get induced by my models reactions to pain associated with thrill, body movements, and shapes of skin tensioned with ropes, and the possible .
What are your criteria for considering someone a good rigger?
I’m not too familiar with the western style of bondage but in Kinbaku, A good rigger should have a good sense of history. Who understands the sadomasochist context on where Kinbaku comes from. i can see some riggers who just tie just for the hell of it and that for me is unacceptable. technique is only half of kinbaku the most important thing is to have chemistry on both the model/bottom and the top/rigger. And a good balance of torture, love, care and communication.
How did you learn tying?
I attended an artist residency in Kyoto back in 2007 and stumbled upon a friend who was practicing Kinbaku at the time. He introduced me to his teacher who is a bakushi, he liked me for some reason and took me in. He taught me how to tie basic stuff like single and double column ties, the proper gote shibari, the ebi shibari or the shrimp tie etc.. Lessons went on for about 3 times a day for 3 weeks and got better at it over the years.
Is there a certain kind of rope that you use?
Before I was using Nylon fiber ropes when I was starting out, but it’s quite challenging to get used to its flexible tensions. So now I only use treated 7mm Jute ropes sometimes 6mm and sometimes 8mm it the model have a preference. I like how stable the jute tensions are unlike the nylon fiber ones.
Can you describe your bondage style and your rope influences?
It is a mix of Japanese techniques which is quite hard to call it a style. But the core techniques can be traced to From the 70s and 80s Kinbiken school since that is how I was taught and the more modern ones like Naka ryuu.
What are your bondage goals?
I don’t think I have a solid goal for this craft. I’m just happy to be practicing it, and whenever the time comes, when a good opportunity comes along like an invitation to teach a workshop or an inquiry for mentorship, or something similar, I’d be keen to oblige.
Do you live from bondage or photography?
I love photography, I almost shoot everyday. But I also love women in bondage so I can say that i live in both bondage and photography. It’s a lifestyle.
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Would you consider an idea of making a bondage porn video?
It’s been in my mind for years now, I still haven’t thought on when and how to start it since I am living in a conservative country, and making a pornographic content here is technically illegal. But we’ll see if I can think of a way to work around it.
How has the quarantine changed the way you create?
Not as much, Since everyone is at home, Most of what I do is either create stuff online or cook at the kitchen with meals and dishes I haven’t cooked before. I guess there’s a lot of self-discoveries happening and keeping my mind as sane as possible. I still shoot from time to time but just around the house like the idea of shooting self portraits for 14 days to document my 14 day self-quarantine. Anything to cope up with the times.
