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. LenaK Avatar
    LenaK

    erotic asphyxiation? haha what’s next?

  2. Rory Avatar
    Rory

    Hot

  3. Rory Avatar
    Rory

    Hot

  4. Rory Avatar
    Rory

    Hot

  5. Brad Avatar
    Brad

    I have to agree that I don’t really see what this has to do with body modification. Unless the desired modification is brain damage. Haha.

  6. Brad Avatar
    Brad

    I have to agree that I don’t really see what this has to do with body modification. Unless the desired modification is brain damage. Haha.

  7. Brad Avatar
    Brad

    I have to agree that I don’t really see what this has to do with body modification. Unless the desired modification is brain damage. Haha.

  8. deeeeeee Avatar
    deeeeeee

    nothing about bulging blue forehead vein sounds/looks erotic to me. this would be much better suited on fetlife than modblog.

  9. deeeeeee Avatar
    deeeeeee

    nothing about bulging blue forehead vein sounds/looks erotic to me. this would be much better suited on fetlife than modblog.

  10. deeeeeee Avatar
    deeeeeee

    nothing about bulging blue forehead vein sounds/looks erotic to me. this would be much better suited on fetlife than modblog.

  11. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    Come on people its just a picture.

  12. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    Come on people its just a picture.

  13. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    Come on people its just a picture.

  14. DangerBitch Avatar
    DangerBitch

    A picture of an extremely dangerous activity. When you post something like this for public viewing, don’t be surprised when people have something to say.

  15. DangerBitch Avatar
    DangerBitch

    A picture of an extremely dangerous activity. When you post something like this for public viewing, don’t be surprised when people have something to say.

  16. DangerBitch Avatar
    DangerBitch

    A picture of an extremely dangerous activity. When you post something like this for public viewing, don’t be surprised when people have something to say.

  17. JL Joseph Beaulieu Avatar
    JL Joseph Beaulieu

    This coming from a group of people that hardly bock at scarification or dick splitting hahahaha.. wow. you know what else is an extremely dangerous activity with an even higher fatality rate.. Drinking.

  18. JL Joseph Beaulieu Avatar
    JL Joseph Beaulieu

    This coming from a group of people that hardly bock at scarification or dick splitting hahahaha.. wow. you know what else is an extremely dangerous activity with an even higher fatality rate.. Drinking.

  19. JL Joseph Beaulieu Avatar
    JL Joseph Beaulieu

    This coming from a group of people that hardly bock at scarification or dick splitting hahahaha.. wow. you know what else is an extremely dangerous activity with an even higher fatality rate.. Drinking.

  20. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    I’m not surprised people have something to say. It’s my life, and I’ll do as I please. I’m not the first person to do a picture like this, and I surely will not be the last.

  21. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    I’m not surprised people have something to say. It’s my life, and I’ll do as I please. I’m not the first person to do a picture like this, and I surely will not be the last.

  22. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    I’m not surprised people have something to say. It’s my life, and I’ll do as I please. I’m not the first person to do a picture like this, and I surely will not be the last.

  23. Lesha Avatar

    Rachie, do you remember this? http://news.bmezine.com/2009/04/13/the-earth-beneath/

    some of the comments I got were a bit ridiculous, people just didn’t want to believe (or accept) that I willing wanted to get this piece done. I think the whole idea is really cool, I personally love being choked too. so, I understand. just not sure I’d do it for a photographer, you know? but like I said in my earlier post, kudos to you for being able to do it.

  24. Lesha Avatar

    Rachie, do you remember this? http://news.bmezine.com/2009/04/13/the-earth-beneath/

    some of the comments I got were a bit ridiculous, people just didn’t want to believe (or accept) that I willing wanted to get this piece done. I think the whole idea is really cool, I personally love being choked too. so, I understand. just not sure I’d do it for a photographer, you know? but like I said in my earlier post, kudos to you for being able to do it.

  25. Lesha Avatar

    Rachie, do you remember this? http://news.bmezine.com/2009/04/13/the-earth-beneath/

    some of the comments I got were a bit ridiculous, people just didn’t want to believe (or accept) that I willing wanted to get this piece done. I think the whole idea is really cool, I personally love being choked too. so, I understand. just not sure I’d do it for a photographer, you know? but like I said in my earlier post, kudos to you for being able to do it.

  26. Real Chanty Avatar

    Life is hard but precious so value it…

  27. Real Chanty Avatar

    Life is hard but precious so value it…

  28. Real Chanty Avatar

    Life is hard but precious so value it…

  29. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    Lesha – Yeah, I do remember that post.

    Understandable not sure about how you feel doing it for a photographer. Everyone has what they would be and wouldn’t be comfortable with. 🙂 Thanks for the kind words.

  30. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    Lesha – Yeah, I do remember that post.

    Understandable not sure about how you feel doing it for a photographer. Everyone has what they would be and wouldn’t be comfortable with. 🙂 Thanks for the kind words.

  31. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    Lesha – Yeah, I do remember that post.

    Understandable not sure about how you feel doing it for a photographer. Everyone has what they would be and wouldn’t be comfortable with. 🙂 Thanks for the kind words.

  32. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    Real Chanty – I do value my life…..

  33. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    Real Chanty – I do value my life…..

  34. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    Real Chanty – I do value my life…..

  35. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    Real Chanty – I do value my life….

  36. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    Real Chanty – I do value my life….

  37. Rachie Tartz Avatar

    Real Chanty – I do value my life….

  38. Ryan Avatar

    asphyxiophilia is awesome
    this picture is awesome
    this girl (Rachie Tartz) is awesome

    just because people die (mostly do to their own stupidity, except with children then it’s mostly stupid parents) doesn’t mean she deserves to get lectured at for a photograph.. (a good looking one for that matter)
    salvidore dali hurled cats into the air for a photograph, and photographers have done much much worse things… so this picture isn’t really bad at all compared to those i don’t think.

  39. Ryan Avatar

    asphyxiophilia is awesome
    this picture is awesome
    this girl (Rachie Tartz) is awesome

    just because people die (mostly do to their own stupidity, except with children then it’s mostly stupid parents) doesn’t mean she deserves to get lectured at for a photograph.. (a good looking one for that matter)
    salvidore dali hurled cats into the air for a photograph, and photographers have done much much worse things… so this picture isn’t really bad at all compared to those i don’t think.

  40. Ryan Avatar

    asphyxiophilia is awesome
    this picture is awesome
    this girl (Rachie Tartz) is awesome

    just because people die (mostly do to their own stupidity, except with children then it’s mostly stupid parents) doesn’t mean she deserves to get lectured at for a photograph.. (a good looking one for that matter)
    salvidore dali hurled cats into the air for a photograph, and photographers have done much much worse things… so this picture isn’t really bad at all compared to those i don’t think.

  41. Xander Avatar
    Xander

    I like this photo and I can understand why it’s here. As for valuing life, and the thought that people die from this… people die from all sorts of things… extreme sports, martial arts, unhealthy living, even driving a car runs a risk! But allot of people take these risks everyday! Hell, I nearly died last year when a car driver pulled across the path of my motorbike, but I don’t judge people who are still biking!

  42. Xander Avatar
    Xander

    I like this photo and I can understand why it’s here. As for valuing life, and the thought that people die from this… people die from all sorts of things… extreme sports, martial arts, unhealthy living, even driving a car runs a risk! But allot of people take these risks everyday! Hell, I nearly died last year when a car driver pulled across the path of my motorbike, but I don’t judge people who are still biking!

  43. Xander Avatar
    Xander

    I like this photo and I can understand why it’s here. As for valuing life, and the thought that people die from this… people die from all sorts of things… extreme sports, martial arts, unhealthy living, even driving a car runs a risk! But allot of people take these risks everyday! Hell, I nearly died last year when a car driver pulled across the path of my motorbike, but I don’t judge people who are still biking!

  44. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    Okay, no one has answered the question that others, as well as myself, have asked: What does this have to do with body modification?

    Seriously, you have to apply some boundaries to the content on this site. I wasn’t aware that something that’s only subject matter could be considered “fetish play”, that has nothing to do with a modified appendage, would be profiled on ModBlog. I do realise people will bring up the European dude who inserted amazingly large pieces of metal into his torso, but wasn’t part of that article about his body’s amazing ability to heal quite greivous wounds?

    This, however, simply has a girl who has a couple of facial piercings in the photo, being strangled for pleasure. Consensual, yes. But I don’t understand in what way she is modifying her body. Is the manipulation of her airway considered “body play”? And because it’s supposedly alluding to a sexual preference, does that mean it has a place on ModBlog?

    ModBlog isn’t about SEX per se, actually not at all, at the end of the day it’s still about body modification, hence the MOD in ModBlog. It’s a Blog about Modification. It’s not a place to showcase deviant sexual behaviours (and I’m using deviant the same way blacks use the term “nigger”, as a form of reclamation, deviance is what keeps the world interesting, varied, and fresh).

  45. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    Okay, no one has answered the question that others, as well as myself, have asked: What does this have to do with body modification?

    Seriously, you have to apply some boundaries to the content on this site. I wasn’t aware that something that’s only subject matter could be considered “fetish play”, that has nothing to do with a modified appendage, would be profiled on ModBlog. I do realise people will bring up the European dude who inserted amazingly large pieces of metal into his torso, but wasn’t part of that article about his body’s amazing ability to heal quite greivous wounds?

    This, however, simply has a girl who has a couple of facial piercings in the photo, being strangled for pleasure. Consensual, yes. But I don’t understand in what way she is modifying her body. Is the manipulation of her airway considered “body play”? And because it’s supposedly alluding to a sexual preference, does that mean it has a place on ModBlog?

    ModBlog isn’t about SEX per se, actually not at all, at the end of the day it’s still about body modification, hence the MOD in ModBlog. It’s a Blog about Modification. It’s not a place to showcase deviant sexual behaviours (and I’m using deviant the same way blacks use the term “nigger”, as a form of reclamation, deviance is what keeps the world interesting, varied, and fresh).

  46. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    Okay, no one has answered the question that others, as well as myself, have asked: What does this have to do with body modification?

    Seriously, you have to apply some boundaries to the content on this site. I wasn’t aware that something that’s only subject matter could be considered “fetish play”, that has nothing to do with a modified appendage, would be profiled on ModBlog. I do realise people will bring up the European dude who inserted amazingly large pieces of metal into his torso, but wasn’t part of that article about his body’s amazing ability to heal quite greivous wounds?

    This, however, simply has a girl who has a couple of facial piercings in the photo, being strangled for pleasure. Consensual, yes. But I don’t understand in what way she is modifying her body. Is the manipulation of her airway considered “body play”? And because it’s supposedly alluding to a sexual preference, does that mean it has a place on ModBlog?

    ModBlog isn’t about SEX per se, actually not at all, at the end of the day it’s still about body modification, hence the MOD in ModBlog. It’s a Blog about Modification. It’s not a place to showcase deviant sexual behaviours (and I’m using deviant the same way blacks use the term “nigger”, as a form of reclamation, deviance is what keeps the world interesting, varied, and fresh).

  47. Zephyr*Elf Avatar

    This is possibly the most beautiful, emotive piece I have seen featured on this site in ages. For a community that subscribes to a more hardcore aspect of a fetishism, you’re all acting like a bunch of close minded, big girl’s blouses. Get over yourselves + appreciate art for the sake of art.

  48. Zephyr*Elf Avatar

    This is possibly the most beautiful, emotive piece I have seen featured on this site in ages. For a community that subscribes to a more hardcore aspect of a fetishism, you’re all acting like a bunch of close minded, big girl’s blouses. Get over yourselves + appreciate art for the sake of art.

  49. Zephyr*Elf Avatar

    This is possibly the most beautiful, emotive piece I have seen featured on this site in ages. For a community that subscribes to a more hardcore aspect of a fetishism, you’re all acting like a bunch of close minded, big girl’s blouses. Get over yourselves + appreciate art for the sake of art.

  50. Eli Avatar
    Eli

    rachie what you do is your business and if you want to toe the death line, by all means, experiment to your lung’s content.

    i do however feel that it is not appropriate to post something like this on modblog because i can guarantee that there are impressionable young-uns out there who follow modblog, want to be like all the cool modders they see, and this is the only thing that is obtainable to them. kids will not try to get a tattoo, suspend, split their dick, or gauge their ears. they will however be able to choke themselves. when posting on a popular public forum, no matter how extreme, maybe the safety of those who are dangerously impressionable should be taken under consideration?

    just a thought..

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetry
    One of the most powerful things about being at a convention like OSC is the sheer concentration of experience, creativity, and capability in one place. When you’re surrounded by people who not only understand the technical complexities of suspension but are excited by the challenge… Read more: Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetry
  • Twelve Points to the Sky
    There’s a particular kind of magic that happens at your first big suspension gathering when you arrive with nerves, an open heart, and the quiet hope of flight. Guided by the encouragement of mentor Lynn Loheide and driven by the quiet confidence of belonging, Alex… Read more: Twelve Points to the Sky
  • Ontario SusCon 2025
    In March 2025, BME attended the Ontario Suspension Convention in Hamilton, hosted by the Kevin Donaghy and the Ontario Suspension Collective. We had the pleasure to take part and help document the event, but also run a booth to sell a bunch of old (but… Read more: Ontario SusCon 2025
  • Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
    Dear BME Community, We’ve been gone far too long, but BME is back to give people a voice, a space, a community. With time everything evolves, and BME may be different than you remember. Our goal is to stay true to Shannon and Rachel’s values… Read more: Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
  • BME Social Media
    Word of mouth has been our method of reuniting the community, and it has brought a substantial amount of us together. I am inspired by your loyalty and I want to remind more people of BME’s existence. In 2020 we gained control over @bmezine on… Read more: BME Social Media
  • BMEShop
    Despite the hurricanes in 2015 which destroyed almost all of what Rachel owned, she managed to save the original inventory from BME. We have relisted some of the stock on BMEShop.com with the hopes you may be interested.  Our first drop includes a selection of… Read more: BMEShop