Those toys that you just can't discard.

Because some of these are my toys, I am inclined to look at the photo

with a lot of emotion. However, I need to know whether or not

that 'loved' feeling is conveyed to anybody else. Any comments about

subject or technical advice would be appreciated.

I think what you're trying to convey fails because there's no environment in which your dolls are placed; it's excacerbated by the harsh lighting.

You might want to put them against a stack of (not to brightly coloured) pillows, a pile of sheets, or crumbled wall paper.

For lighting I would suggest to go indoors, the light will be much softer there.

Success with re-doing the shot!

First, I must say I strongly believe you know your photos better than anyone on here. If you like it - that's really all that matters.

That being said, I do like the picture very much. They look like friends, warm and inviting, looking into the light. If they were mine, I would also feel that connection with them - somethnig no one but you has experienced.

I'd capture them up close (very), as how I recall seeing them when I hug them so tight as a child.

But I'm not sure how the picture will look like though ;-)

I agree with Mr. Lee -- treat this as portraiture, which means zooming in or cropping. I'd also stick with one or two subjects per frame, max. You know how group photos tend to be more documentary then emotive, right? Same effect here.

For an extremely tight shot take a look at this little guy.