I liked Mia D. the from the moment I set eyes on her. That was in her debut MetArt erotic photo gallery, and I expressed my admiration for her (and her photographer) without reservation (you can find that post here).

The closest I came to criticizing Mia D.’s debut appearance was when I described her smile as “just a bit theatrical.” What I meant then was that, although her smile is bright, warm, and winning, one does get the sense, particularly after prolonged exposure, that it is a bit forced. In “Placida” that smile is back, bigger and brighter, and the theatricality remains. Even if we don’t question the sincerity of that smile, it is very nearly constant, and it leaves one yearning for some variety, some variation, some alternative emotion.

In a set comprising 140 images, the comb one employs must be particularly fine-toothed to cull the non-smiling shots in “Placida.” Mia D.’s lips are closed and she’s not quite smiling in #001, for example. There’s no smile in #104 (a very pretty image) or in #108. And two of my favorite shots here, #136 and #139, both headshots, derive much of their power from the absence of that bright and bouncy smile.

As in her debut, also shot by Leonardo, Mia is anything but inhibited. She shows off her nude body with pride and a playful, inviting, enthusiasm. While Leonardo seldom moves in for an extreme close-up, nothing is left to the imagination. And, like her debut, Leonardo’s lighting and set design are particularly harmonious. The white, fringe curtain and the vivid, cloudless sky in the background flatter the model’s build and coloring. I certainly want to see more of Mia D., but, that said, I’d also like to see a bit less of that smile and a bit more emotional range in future pictorials. Is that too much to ask for? Please feel free to share your opinion in the comments, below.