Before I begin a portrait session, I will often ask if the subject has any ideas about where and how they want to be photographed. Often they tell me that they'll trust me to figure something out. But sometimes they come up with impractical ideas: "I've always thought it would be cool to be photographed on a camel in front of the Great Pyramid." Or "How about a portrait of me water-skiing in my cap and gown?" Right.
This last one was Thad's idea and while I was skeptical, he executed the feat brilliantly. My job was to try to get one good photo before he fell. I took about 75 and he liked this one. And he never fell.