Bondage and Attachments

BDSM has often been portrayed as something that requires pain and suffering. It has been assumed to be rough, brutal, and devoid of deep emotion. The general public has attached this Hollywood image of BDSM to their understanding, and ultimately closed off their potential to gain a deeper awareness. The themes that are explored through these practices are often far more relatable than one may think.

Before we began this session, the entire team (myself, two models, and an assistant) sat down together and had a discussion about the theme of attachment. We spoke about our personal relation to the theme, and how we felt it was showing up in our worlds today. One thing that stuck out to me during that discussion was something one of the models said: “ I had always seen attachment as an obligation”. How often do we feel obligated to be attached to the things/people/places that we are? Do we give ourselves purely from desire or for fear of being left behind? Why do we so deeply attach ourselves to draining people/situations when we have our own needs to be met?

Through the medium of bondage, we decided to explore that. Creating a physical representation of the ways we hold on to our own attachments, while simultaneously experiencing them with others.

It was a beautiful thing to witness these two models, who had never met in person, hold this intimate space for each other. Both coming from a mutual emotional understanding, and allowing themselves to be vulnerable together. One of the poses had the models on the floor facing each other, in an embrace. The models seemed to melt into each other, snuggling into themselves and the opportunity for closeness. The expressions on their faces told a story where words went silent. I bore witness. I documented. This deeply intimate encounter required no sexual connotation, no prior bond, and no expectations. I was truly honored to facilitate this profound session, and look forward to sharing it with this gallery.