I’ve put together five tips to help you get the most out of a portrait session, based on my experience of photographing ordinary people. 

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When you (or your employer) pay for a shoot with a professional photographer, you want to come away with a handful of images that you really love. But unless you’re a model or a celebrity, you probably don’t feel completely comfortable in front of the camera. What you may not know is that almost everybody is anxious about having their picture taken. At least half my clients introduce themselves by saying “I’m sorry, but I’m not photogenic”, or “I hate being photographed”, or “I always look terrible in photos.” As I say honestly to each and every one: Trust me, it’ll be absolutely fine.

Tip 1 – take your time

Don’t rush into the shoot. Sit and chat with the photographer for a few minutes first. Tell them a bit about your life, and ask them about themselves. It’s very important that you feel at ease with one another, and this initial conversation will help. If you haven’t already done so, make sure they understand how the images will be used and the look and mood you want to achieve, as well as technical aspects like the mix of full-body, half-body and head and shoulders shots. Discuss clothes, and backgrounds. And if there’s a particular aspect of your appearance that you feel self-conscious about, now is the moment to mention that to the photographer.

Tip 2 – keep moving

The photographer will take care of the lighting, framing and focus, but a great portrait requires input from the subject, too. You’re not just recording your appearance for a passport photo. Together, you’re trying to capture your personality, to show who you really are. So relax your legs and arms, breathe, and move. Move gently, move smoothly, offering the photographer a range of positions in which you feel fully comfortable. The tiniest changes in the angle of your face can make for very different portraits. Move your feet, move your shoulders. The photographer will certainly tell you if you are moving too much.

Tip 3 – be yourself

Stay loose and spontaneous. Forcing yourself to adopt a pose that you think makes you look ‘strong’ or ‘kind’ or ‘sexy’ is likely to produce exaggerated, unnatural expressions. Instead, picture yourself in different situations, professional or personal. In your imagination, run through a little scenario. For example, imagine arriving at work on a Monday morning and greeting a colleague. You see them. You ask how their weekend was. You listen to what they say. You tell them what happened to you. You say ‘See you later’. Without hurrying, let your face and body shift in the way they would at each stage as the scene unfolds.

Tip 4 – take frequent breaks

If you still find yourself feeling stiff or awkward, ask the photographer for a short break. This will allow you to change your position and your mood. If you’ve been standing, try sitting. Run a different scenario in your head. Experiment, play. Have some fun. Don’t be afraid to make a few images that are not at all like the ones you were expecting to make. Once you’ve loosened up, you can return to your original plan – you’ll probably find that the session flows much more easily and produces the best shots of all.

Tip 5 – choose the right photographer

A good portrait photographer will bring the very best out of you easily and naturally. I offer my clients a hot or cold drink at the start of the session, decorate the studio with a few flowers and propose a choice of music or, if they prefer, silence. I reassure them about their appearance and explain what I can do with post-production retouching. I take the time to listen to what they want, and keep our conversation going throughout the session to make sure they’re always comfortable. I may make suggestions, like the ones I’ve shared here. But above all, I encourage my subjects to open up to me and to my camera.