Movement beats posing

A held pose looks held. Walking, turning, laughing at something real, adjusting a collar, taking a step back towards each other – all of this makes bodies look natural, because they are. I will usually give you something to do rather than a shape to hold.

Hands

Hands are where nervousness shows first. Give them a job: hold a hand, a bag, a coffee, a coat, the edge of a jacket; put one in a pocket with the thumb out. Keep them soft – tension in fingers reads instantly.

Chin and neck

Push your forehead slightly towards the camera and bring your chin a little down and forward. It feels strange and looks right. It is the single most useful thing anyone ever told me.

Weight and shoulders

Put your weight on the back foot; let the front knee relax. Drop your shoulders away from your ears and breathe out. Most stiff photos are simply a held breath.

For couples

Stand closer than feels normal – the camera adds distance. Foreheads touching, a whisper, one hand on the back of a neck. Talk to each other instead of looking at me, and laugh at whatever is funny about the situation. The best frames almost always come one second after a laugh, not during it.

For families with small children

Do not ask a three-year-old to sit still and smile. Play instead: lift them, chase them, read a book, throw them in the air. I photograph around the play. Bring a snack and a favourite toy, and plan the session for a time when nobody is hungry or tired.

For business portraits

Think of one specific person you like and are about to greet – your face changes instantly. Bring two tops; we will do a friendly one and a serious one.