Perhaps the most magical, and rewarding photography of the nude involves multiple subjects. Unlike photography of the individual nude, which is generally abstract in its nature, images of multiple models together represent potentially-real relationships.

Therefore, the most natural and effective subjects tend to be real, well-adjusted couples, or parents with their children. Ironically, such shooting situations are typically less awkward than working with a single model. It's simply a matter of finding ways to promote spontaneous interactions, rather than attempting control of what is happening.

With parents, and their children, there are excellent opportunities like bathing, frolicking, and cuddling. These situations require little, if any, direction and are simply a matter of having a quick trigger finger (auto-focus is great in such situations). The only caveat, is that small children often urinate without notice (I've been drenched twice).

Shooting with couples is slightly less automatic, but typically very easy if approached with a sense of humor, and sensitivity to the couple's individual chemistry. One strategy that never fails is asking each to pay homage to their favorite part of the other's body.

The final approach is shooting strangers together. I'd long been nervous about this type of shoot, and it is not for every model, but with polite and sensitive personalities, the synergy of working with a stranger can take context and subject matter in very dramatic directions. After four such shoots involving unfamiliar collaborators, it's proven to be just as effective as working with couples, in virtually all poses not requiring romantic gestures.