BRITNEY SPEARS
Photograph by Martin Schoeller
October 5, 2003
New York City

''She's always posing,'' says Schoeller of the oft-snapped Spears. ''I wanted her to look more like herself.'' To create an intimate atmosphere, the photographer sent everyone else out and concentrated on making his subject ''feel normal,'' he says, which required ''a lot of direction. You have to tell her constantly, Okay, chin up, keep your mouth open a little bit....'' The result is an image that's up close and personal. ''She looks more vulnerable and approachable -- more like a human being rather than a pop diva.''