“Men tend to fear great beauties, but Sante doesn’t,” writes Glenn O’Brien in the introduction to Sante D’Orazio: Polaroids (Chronicle Books). “He enjoys them. He appreciates them. You could say that he is to gorgeous women what Siegfried & Roy are to tigers. A fearless friend, a sincere admirer, a mentor (and occasional ring master).”

What follows is a remarkable collection of Polaroids the famed lensman took during his shoots to test lighting and composition. They’re not the final images selected for print from these photo sessions — but that doesn’t matter. Because each image here — where the subject is relaxed, at ease — is wonderfully seductive on its own. And what an array of subjects, from top-tier supermodels (Kate Moss, Eva Herzigová, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Iman) to A-Listers (Susan Sarandon, Janet Jackson, Diane Kruger, Angelina Jolie, Isabella Rossellini). They gaze at the camera, at D’Orazio — and, through him, you.
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