giggles

When I say focus on the eyes, I didn't mean it so literally. I meant to capture a photograph that shows personality you should use the subject's eyes as your guide. When I look through my camera, I move my lens to the subject's eyes if the child moves their eyes then I move the lens. I hope I am making sense....

 

For me the essence of a good portrait is the connection between the subject and the person viewing the photograph. In many cases it is through the eyes and the emotion behind them.

Hi Lauren - I do 80% of my work in my studio with studio lights however I really do love the look and results of using natural light. I unfortunately have a long ways to go before I am comfortable with it. Maybe invest in a portable stand with two neutral backdrops to take with you to the clients home. That way you have another option to fall back on if nothing else seems to be working. You might want to check out www.ilovephotography.com for some natural light children photographers. That site is full of beautiful images and amazing photographers.

I also use the clone brush to get rid of flaws on seamless. I use a piece on clear plexi-glass on the floor to protect the paper from ripping. The further you position them from the paper and the shallower DOF will help with flaws as well.

I second Alien Bees - I have two and have been very happy with them.

Hi Geoff - I am not sure I like the angle for tow people. I think for the little boy alone it would work good but it makes the lady appear older than she probably is due to her expression and shadowing. Your colors are good but the photo is lacking an emotional connection between the subjects which I think is important part of a photograph when two people are used.

Hi Lauren - Your photos show great emotion and the children seem comfortable with you which is half the battle. Some of your images are overexposed or have too much incadescent coloring. I would recommend buying a 50mm lens and not using your flash but rather the available light. I would also shoot in RAW so you can adjust your exposure and WB in post processing. The children's faces appear hot and I am not a fan of the little flash pin lights in their eyes. I do like your poses and the playfulness that you've captured now you just need to learn your camera a little better.

 

It would be hard to go to someone's house and shoot for all the unknowns. I think children would be more distracted in their own homes as well. Maybe try finding a neutral location that you are comfortable & familiar with.

Hi Vanessa - I agree with Mark to focus on the eyes and emotion. That doesn't mean that the child has to be looking at you. I always use children's eyes as my guide. You can take a look at my portfolio for ideas if you'd like and email me if you have any specific questions. When starting out the only way I found to get better is practice, practice and more practice. With time you'll develop your own style which you can market when you build up your portfolio. Best of luck!

For the past three years, I have used www.bigblackbag.com for their templates and hosting. I have run into very few problems and their customer service is good. I just purchased their event ordering option and am really enjoying it as well. My website is www.gigglesngrinsphotography.com if you'd like to take a look. Good luck!

I shoot primarily children both indoor and outdoors. Feel free to click on my name and check out my gallery here at PN. Your niece/nephew are adorable. Just remember to capture the true essence of their personality is way more important than any pose, background or prop. Good luck!

Ok - I am not sure how to creat a link but here is one more photo that I'd like to submit.<div></div>

This is technically not nudity so I thought I'd give it a shot.

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/5740309

For babies that cannot sit by themselves, I often use a beanbag. It cradles the baby nicely and you can prop them up some. I throw a matching blanket over it or use my backdrop. Hope this helps. Good luck:)

I would start with black or a neutral brown. I tend to use my black often since skin tones look nice against it and it matches any clothing. The black also helps you learn lighting.

Corri - You can print your own out in MPIX. You go under Speciality Item and they are listed as 4x8 vertical or horizontal full image. They come with envelopes also for $.45 each.

I totally agree with Steven - I hate it when people don't put there prices on the website. Great analogy about the restaurant.

I think the first ones are good for fashion photography or hairstyle magazines but you are shooting senior photos that the parents pay for. Myself, being a photographer of seniors, I want the kids to look as relaxed and comfortable as they are every day. I want them to wear their favorite outfits and not new ones. The purpose of senior pictures is to capture a permanent memory of their senior year and what they look like. Not to make them into fashion models. Twenty years from now that girl will look back at those images and wonder what she was thinking??? But the relaxed ones will bring back the memories of her senior year. Hope that makes sense to you... You are being hired by parents to immortalize their children as a high school senior - the last portraits most parents will have of their "children" before the wedding portraits.

Just my two cents.... best of luck with whatever you decide.

Thanks Mark - I am thinking of joining PPI which is for Iowa. I think that is all I need to be a member of for a convention in January. Maybe I am wrong... I will look up the website you mentioned and check it out. I have been receiving the magazine and LOVE it.

Hi all - I would like to enter my first merit competition but have no idea on

which prints I am going to enter. I can have up to four entries. If any are you

are familiar with the Merit judging process, I would greatly appreciate some

feedback as to which of my images might qualify. Most of my best images can

been seen in my gallery on PN. A huge thanks in advance for anyone that takes

the time to scroll through my gallery - (I know I should probably weed some of

the photos out).

 

Emily

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Shoot in RAW but you will first need a RAW editing software. If you shoot in RAW, you can always adjust your white balance on each image in the computer. I set my WB on flash when in the studio but sometimes they still need a little tweaking. Good luck.

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An - I would post questions/images such as this in the critique forum. You will get more responses if you ask specific questions. This area is more for general questions and not image critiques.

I second that verdict. I have both and prefer the 1.4 hands down.

I photograph many babies with strobes and large softboxes. They don't seem to mind the light with the softbox diffusion. In some cases, it will actually calm the babies down. I have research many articles/opinions on the effects of lighting in a newborns eyes and have not found much information on any negative effects/damage caused my external lighting. That being said, using natural light with infants can be beautiful when properly controlled. Good luck! Post some when you are done so we can take a peek.

I agree with Ronald that the lighting made this photo. It appears to be natural light in the evening. I do not think a flash was used but I could be wrong. Good luck!