WHAT makes a picture perfect?
It's very subjective, of course, but the master of fashion and portrait photography Mario Testino (right), renowned as the most influential in the world, is in Sydney this week showing us how it is done. 
His photographs have graced the covers of Vogue internationally and he has created some of the most iconic images of our time, including unforgettable portraits of Princess Diana for Vanity Fair.
Testino has chosen Vogue Australia to celebrate his 10th guest-edited and creatively directed edition of Vogue. His ninth, the   February issue of Italian Vogue, will be on newsstands next month and it follows issues for Brazil, China, Paris and Germany. The issues are collectable and capture the cities they are published within through Testino's eyes.
This is his first trip to Australia and he is loving it. His homage to this place and its people will be shot in Sydney, and will showcase its incredible beauty and inherent style to the world.
The issue will also focus on some of our best exports (talent and creations) and international perceptions of Australia. So what does it take to pull a project like this together? A working entourage of 18 people, a local production team, seven shoots, local and international talent, possibly a helicopter, numerous castings, clothes flown in from Paris, Milan, New York and London, glistening fine jewellery from Graff, a film crew to capture the pulling together of the issue, an entire Vogue staff, and a few sleepless nights. Watching this master at works has been an incredible learning experience for us at Vogue.
His commitment to detail and discovering what makes the worlds of modern Australian arts and fashion tick, has been boundless. He is a curious and generous man - and a lot of fun. He is always smiling and is the epitome of charm and proof that not all artists are tortured souls. Testino loves life.
While annotating an archival image for us for this weekend, Testino commented that when he photographs someone he is "always looking to get something new, or find something new in a person". Though, of course, he isn't physically in the pictures, Testino feels he is there in other ways.
He commented that he almost has to "perform" behind the camera to get the best out his subjects. To create truly memorable fashion imagery and unforgettable portraits, there must be an enormous amount of trust between the photographer and his subjects. Some of those subjects were trusting enough to be covered in snakes this weekend.The   April issue of Vogue Australia will not be one to miss.