A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Begging for air

Sometimes a job calls on you to go above and beyond your normal routine.  For a model, this can happen quite often.  In the case of IAM: Rachietartz, her latest photoshoot pushed her to the brink of consciousness.  Using a tie to cut off her airway, Rachie was on the verge of passing out when this photo was snapped.  You can see just how intense this was not only by the look in her eyes, but also by how red her face got while she was straining for air.

Photo credit: JL Joseph Beaulieu

Comments

270 responses to “Begging for air”

  1. Joli Suicide Avatar

    and she’s just too darn pretty <3

  2. Joli Suicide Avatar

    and she’s just too darn pretty <3

  3. Lobarzoid Avatar
    Lobarzoid

    I’m not usually squeamish. Blood- fine, gore- awesome. But for some reason I find this pretty damn disturbing.

  4. Lobarzoid Avatar
    Lobarzoid

    I’m not usually squeamish. Blood- fine, gore- awesome. But for some reason I find this pretty damn disturbing.

  5. meow Avatar
    meow

    what the fuck

    more details please

  6. meow Avatar
    meow

    what the fuck

    more details please

  7. P Avatar
    P

    I’ve been reading BME for years (since it was bme.freeq.com) and this is the first thing I’ve seen that’s made me think: ‘That’s fucking stupid’.

  8. P Avatar
    P

    I’ve been reading BME for years (since it was bme.freeq.com) and this is the first thing I’ve seen that’s made me think: ‘That’s fucking stupid’.

  9. Darkonyx Avatar

    Breathplay is on the line.
    It is literally on the line between life and death, and over it because it isn’t as simple and safe as most think it is, especially at this extreme, but fuck if that look isn’t incredible, I don’t know what is. The trust it takes, and the power that is handed over… *melts*. I like.

  10. Darkonyx Avatar

    Breathplay is on the line.
    It is literally on the line between life and death, and over it because it isn’t as simple and safe as most think it is, especially at this extreme, but fuck if that look isn’t incredible, I don’t know what is. The trust it takes, and the power that is handed over… *melts*. I like.

  11. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    What the fuck does “breathplay” have to do with body modification? Jesus christ, reign yourself in, Rob.

  12. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    What the fuck does “breathplay” have to do with body modification? Jesus christ, reign yourself in, Rob.

  13. Pharmacist Avatar

    no details..just fap and get it over with

  14. Pharmacist Avatar

    no details..just fap and get it over with

  15. Um Avatar
    Um

    I agree with Jon. This is not relevant.

  16. Um Avatar
    Um

    I agree with Jon. This is not relevant.

  17. Lesha Avatar

    I would probably never trust a photographer enough to do this. kudos to her for doing so.

  18. Lesha Avatar

    I would probably never trust a photographer enough to do this. kudos to her for doing so.

  19. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Just as a PSA, the effects of cutting off your airway until near suffocation don’t go away once you release the airway. You can create blood clots that don’t show up for days afterwards. This is so, so, so dangerous and should not be recommended as an activity for anyone, no matter how much you think you know what you’re doing.

  20. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Just as a PSA, the effects of cutting off your airway until near suffocation don’t go away once you release the airway. You can create blood clots that don’t show up for days afterwards. This is so, so, so dangerous and should not be recommended as an activity for anyone, no matter how much you think you know what you’re doing.

  21. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    This is interesting… I wouldn’t do it, but it’s one of those things that’s a little neat in a horrible way to look at, like dead bodies.

  22. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    This is interesting… I wouldn’t do it, but it’s one of those things that’s a little neat in a horrible way to look at, like dead bodies.

  23. Smurf666 Avatar
    Smurf666

    I’ve got a similar pic of Michael Hutchence.

  24. Smurf666 Avatar
    Smurf666

    I’ve got a similar pic of Michael Hutchence.

  25. alibaba Avatar
    alibaba

    What has this got to do with body modification apart from her piercings?

    The “fainting game,” as it has been called here in NZ, has claimed a number of young lives in the last couple of years and I mean young – we’re talking 10-14 year olds here. God knows how many have been killed or maimed overseas.

    If you think that encouraging this behaviour (and by giving it ANY bandwidth at all, you ARE encouraging it) is ok then you are seriously misled.

    Shame on you BME, you’ve well and truly crossed the line.

  26. alibaba Avatar
    alibaba

    What has this got to do with body modification apart from her piercings?

    The “fainting game,” as it has been called here in NZ, has claimed a number of young lives in the last couple of years and I mean young – we’re talking 10-14 year olds here. God knows how many have been killed or maimed overseas.

    If you think that encouraging this behaviour (and by giving it ANY bandwidth at all, you ARE encouraging it) is ok then you are seriously misled.

    Shame on you BME, you’ve well and truly crossed the line.

  27. alibaba Avatar
    alibaba

    What has this got to do with body modification apart from her piercings?

    The “fainting game,” as it has been called here in NZ, has claimed a number of young lives in the last couple of years and I mean young – we’re talking 10-14 year olds here. God knows how many have been killed or maimed overseas.

    If you think that encouraging this behaviour (and by giving it ANY bandwidth at all, you ARE encouraging it) is ok then you are seriously misled.

    Shame on you BME, you’ve well and truly crossed the line.

  28. peteD3 Avatar
    peteD3

    Wow!
    Thank you Rachel, for sharing such an intense and personal moment.

  29. peteD3 Avatar
    peteD3

    Wow!
    Thank you Rachel, for sharing such an intense and personal moment.

  30. peteD3 Avatar
    peteD3

    Wow!
    Thank you Rachel, for sharing such an intense and personal moment.

  31. The Spoons is here Avatar
    The Spoons is here

    This is whats real

  32. The Spoons is here Avatar
    The Spoons is here

    This is whats real

  33. The Spoons is here Avatar
    The Spoons is here

    This is whats real

  34. Ftard Avatar
    Ftard

    I came.

  35. Ftard Avatar
    Ftard

    I came.

  36. Ftard Avatar
    Ftard

    I came.

  37. esmeray Avatar
    esmeray

    First, I understand how this is modification, I guess, and she is a lovely girl, but.. breath play and choking is really dangerous, just the act of cutting off oxygen to your brain (even if nothing horrid like death occurs) can have negative consequences.. I think that this sort of content is especially touchy to show because people do die because of it, including kids, who play choking/fainting games, and because belts/ropes are, obviously, extremely accessible.

  38. esmeray Avatar
    esmeray

    First, I understand how this is modification, I guess, and she is a lovely girl, but.. breath play and choking is really dangerous, just the act of cutting off oxygen to your brain (even if nothing horrid like death occurs) can have negative consequences.. I think that this sort of content is especially touchy to show because people do die because of it, including kids, who play choking/fainting games, and because belts/ropes are, obviously, extremely accessible.

  39. esmeray Avatar
    esmeray

    First, I understand how this is modification, I guess, and she is a lovely girl, but.. breath play and choking is really dangerous, just the act of cutting off oxygen to your brain (even if nothing horrid like death occurs) can have negative consequences.. I think that this sort of content is especially touchy to show because people do die because of it, including kids, who play choking/fainting games, and because belts/ropes are, obviously, extremely accessible.

  40. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    @Meow – What would you like to know?

    @Lesha – I was fully in control of the tie the was wrapped around my neck.

    @Alibaba – Are you familiar with Asphyxiophilia? You know the “fetish” called erotic asphyxiation? That was the point of it. This is a “fetish” portrait. Do I myself like getting choked? Yes, I do. Do I encourage or condone young children to play the choking game? Not in the slightest. Unless you know what you are doing, I don’t recommend it.

  41. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    @Meow – What would you like to know?

    @Lesha – I was fully in control of the tie the was wrapped around my neck.

    @Alibaba – Are you familiar with Asphyxiophilia? You know the “fetish” called erotic asphyxiation? That was the point of it. This is a “fetish” portrait. Do I myself like getting choked? Yes, I do. Do I encourage or condone young children to play the choking game? Not in the slightest. Unless you know what you are doing, I don’t recommend it.

  42. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    @Meow – What would you like to know?

    @Lesha – I was fully in control of the tie the was wrapped around my neck.

    @Alibaba – Are you familiar with Asphyxiophilia? You know the “fetish” called erotic asphyxiation? That was the point of it. This is a “fetish” portrait. Do I myself like getting choked? Yes, I do. Do I encourage or condone young children to play the choking game? Not in the slightest. Unless you know what you are doing, I don’t recommend it.

  43. NexiZydrate Avatar

    very artistic picture. i like it.

  44. NexiZydrate Avatar

    very artistic picture. i like it.

  45. NexiZydrate Avatar

    very artistic picture. i like it.

  46. DangerBitch Avatar
    DangerBitch

    As a devoted Savage Love reader, this photo set off my “fucking stupid” alarm.

  47. DangerBitch Avatar
    DangerBitch

    As a devoted Savage Love reader, this photo set off my “fucking stupid” alarm.

  48. DangerBitch Avatar
    DangerBitch

    As a devoted Savage Love reader, this photo set off my “fucking stupid” alarm.

  49. LenaK Avatar
    LenaK

    erotic asphyxiation? haha what’s next?

  50. LenaK Avatar
    LenaK

    erotic asphyxiation? haha what’s next?

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