icarusancalion

Huh--I only checked out Ian Somerhalder, who's beautiful if a little creepy, and he looked significantly less trapped, haunted, whatever you want to call it. But perhaps I am ascribing a shallowness to him that's present only in my perception of more classic "pretty boys."

I would make the studio empty. Very spartan. Maybe a little bit cool. I would have a couple of assistants so that the subject felt a little outnumbered, and I would make sure they didn't have anything familiar with them. No friends. No family, wives, whatever.

I might make them wait a bit before they're let in, increasing their nervousness (I'd practice this with models for a while till I got the timing right). Then I'd have them strip and not even wear underwear they're used to.

I'd put the place where they sit in the middle of a bare open room. Circle them so they felt a little hunted, standing dressed while they're nude. Probably have at least one person out of sight behind them so they can't keep their eyes on everyone.

Then I'd use my voice to keep the subject riveted on me (the assistants aren't allowed to speak a whisper). I'd gauge carefully whether I'd be reassuring, supply compliments, or how I'd settle them enough for a good photo.

I have no doubt you'd do this. & ;-) But honestly, of course I can see the appeal of it--an artist going for something that strips away the outer layers of easy confidence and male charm that these celebrities would have.