While many photographers of the nude have success in finding models that emphasis a preconceived concept, this work has benefited most from interviewing models first, and then letting their personalities inspire the direction of each shoot. Born with synesthesia, I've always received vivid, visual responses and intuitive "vibes" about others by the tone and content of their speech. With some trial and error, a number of interview topics have proven instrumental in creating unique concepts for each shoot: including discussion of the subject's dream home, preferred colors, art-styles, favorite traits in other's and even food choices like cookies (with or without nuts).

Once the concept is discovered, the next challenge is relating to particular aspects of the individual. Very often people with normal, or perhaps less than average coordination, can be some of the best models if their kinesthetics can be tapped in the sub or unconscious mind. Such tend to pose with very personal energies and create intense shapes and expressions that are not to be found in any pose-book. This can be achieved through sensory input like body-painting, changes in temperature and exposure to unique textures. A second method is to help the model enter a state of guided meditation: beginning as a ball or 'seed', close to the ground, and then allow them to rise and form resonant shapes that correspond to events in their past, present or future.

Surprisingly, the most difficult people to get personalized poses from can be dancers and gymnasts. For them, movement is initiated deliberately from the conscious mind. Such cases, usually require precise direction to achieve spontaneous-looking results. This having been said, a few tricks can work wonders in bringing out inner drama from performers. The primary hurdle is that they are trained to make things look easy, and to minimize expression of the difficulty and preparation involved. This duality can create a number of points of interaction between the subject and photographer. Encourage them to show off. Suggest they do tricks they're proud of, or poses that showcase their favorite parts of their bodies. The point to keep in mind is that while a dancer or gymnast will look great doing their normal routines, the most exceptional shots will occur when the subject is emotionally invested, and that will often be when the subject is in a backstage frame of mind rather than when their "making it look easy."

A final element to consider is setting. Interesting settings and contact-surfaces can be highly effective in drawing out certain moods, or more precisely, the individual's conception of those moods. Models can use their bodies to interpret and emulate shapes, materials and surroundings, or perhaps act out scenarios with the location, as an actor would relate to props on stage.