ROPE AND ROMANTICISM - Behind the Scenes Film

When I went to Japan in May of 2011, I was really fortunate to work with Watanabe Yasuji (渡邊安治). He's a very talented photographer and former Chief Editor of SM Sniper. Yukimura Haruki (雪村春樹) is known as one of the Shihan of kinbaku (緊縛師範).

When I came to Japan I wanted to create a photo book with my different experiences with different photographers and artists.

Kinbaku (緊縛) has almost become an art form with centuries of refining the techniques of tying. When I was invited to work with Watanabe san and Yukimura sensei, I was really apprehensive, but really excited.

I couldn't wait to see how he was able to make me have emotions and expressions that I've never seen before. I wanted to see that captured in the photographs.

I've seen Watanabe san's other work that he's had on his website, and he's also had several exhibitions of his photographs as well. I just thought he has this unique style that I really wanted to see

When I talk about kinbaku most people just assume that it's just about bondage, but for me it's a way to explore a whole series of emotions - fear, excitement, humiliation, pleasure and pain, rather than be afraid of those feelings.

I wanted to show others by creating my book with behind the scenes videos of the photo shoots. To have the opportunity to see what goes beyond the art form of kinbaku.