ing its lead (facing page, bottom). Morgan’s dreamy longing is instantly un-
derstood by anyone viewing this image (facing page, top).
Sensual images need to impart a dreamy, veiled lustfulness—a kind of
blissful surrender. For this reason, subjects are often posed reclining with
their eyes closed or not making direct eye contact with the camera. This con-
veys a blissful, carefree, disconnectedness from the everyday world; the sub-
ject is absorbed in the pleasure of escape. It’s a place we’d all like to be.
Creating an image that helps us get there, if only for a while, can have
tremendous value.
Provocative.This category almost doesn’t need an explanation. These
images may look assertive or playful, but they virtually demand to be lookedThe playful expression on Tonya’s face, com-
bined with soft lighting and a pastel back-
ground, invites you into the image rather than
projecting an in-your-face attitude.