Portraits rarely feature in my photography – I positively shy away from taking people’s photographs. But this Christmas was very much a tale of three people – myself, my mother and Dermot.

In the richly decorated surroundings of Old Hunstanton’s The Lodge in Norfolk, where we spent the festive season, I caught my mother off guard while joking with Dermot. It’s a natural capture of energy, engagement and a youthfulness defying that Mum is in her ninth decade.

Dermot happily posed for his shot, with a wry smile and looking particularly relaxed. This is perhaps the key to good portraits – not that I would really know!

The only part of the jigsaw missing from this set is my own photograph. Maybe that’s for the best…