Dr Rae Loc: Sarasota Florida

Let me know what you think of these. I used 3 lights this time and tried to follow all the advice I've been given from my fellow hogs. I absolutely love the 5th image even though the color is off - there's just something about it that I keep going back to. I have to tell you, I've always loved photography but one thing that's held me back is anxiety and shyness. I met these 2 families through craigslist - (I'm offering free sessions for practice). And decided to take the mindset of making it all about them, making them comfortable, really getting to know them, etc and I've had so much fun! It's taken what I already love to a whole new level. I'm really glad I went for it and if anyone out there was scared to take the step I want to say Just do it, people are people.

angler Loc: StHelens England

I like them all but the family one is the favourite for me.

Dr Rae Loc: Sarasota Florida

Thanks! They were a great family. Their love for each other was very evident. So nice to see that!

GrandmaJoy Loc: North Carolina

If I had money I would hire you. I thought they were great pictures.

SHOOTR Loc: Hoosier State

SHOOTR Loc: Hoosier State

I usually do not critique but will comment. I most definitely am not a portraitists but these look real good to me. I would suggest a solid black shirt for the Mother in the group, also I prefer in portraits not to have big toothy smiles but just pleasant expressions. You have that in some of these. Look at the portraits of the famous Canadian photographer.
I wish I could do as well as you are doing.

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Very good Dr Rae..love the family shot!!

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Yes very nice...lighting..pose's...yup.

Archy Loc: Lake Hamilton, Florida

:thumbup:

B-Side Loc: Davenport, Florida

Hey Dr Rae,

First of all, I am no "expert" by any means. But these are really good IMHO.

I love the composition of the first picture. The lighting creates some interesting shadows around her face but it looks a little washed on my screen. To make it pop a little more I would suggest maybe using background color that isn't in the same family as the color of the clothing on the subject. This is going to be one of those photos the family will cherish when this little girl is all grown up.

The family portrait is beautiful but you can see where it’s been touched around the left and right sides of the girls. Is it a digital background? I love the color left in with the girl's sneaker - could have been cropped but with it in frame it adds a nice touch. I agree if mom has on a solid shirt or smaller logo it may have been better - and the dog would have stuck out more too. But then again if it is what the subject wants - customer is always right.

As far as I am concerned the baby pic is perfect. I love how the colors pop and how the subject is posed. You framed her perfectly - a little left of center - love it. The nice thing is that IF you wanted to, it could be cropped for a horizontal or vertical frame. Working with kids is hard - was that the case with this subject? - Excellent

Teacup picture is really cute. Was it hard to get her to smile? I don't know what you had available but if that drape in the background could have covered the molding on the wall it may have been a little less distracting. Good color choice though to make it stand out.


The purple bow picture has some great detail. Her eyes are captured very well. They really draw you in. The dark background makes you focus on her. Was she very fair skinned? Skin tones look a little off. But it gives that porcelain doll look to the photo too. Do you use any retouch software like portrait professional?

Keep it up. What a great set of photos. You need to start charging. No doubt.

Paul B. Loc: North Carolina

Like all of them,very good job Dr. Rae.

Dr Rae Loc: Sarasota Florida

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions I really appreciate them. In the family pose the father designs sportswear for martial arts and they are all wearing one of his designs. We did other images in other clothing but that's what they wanted for this picture. It is not a digital background but there was some touch up done on the backdrop because there were (once again) some weird shadows - (I think my softbox is a little small for this size group).

The subjects in the baby, the teacup pictures and the purple bow picture were all sisters and they were really easy to work with. The last picture where the flesh color is off - that picture was kind of a salvage - it was underexposed. There's a lot of pp on it, I don't know exactly what all I did now, but I do really like this image. I used CS3, not portrait professional.

Thanks again everyone for the comments!

Coolcameragirl Loc: Bradenton, FL

I'm with you - I like the last one best too, although all are very good.

Ive Fallen Loc: Chula, GA

family shot was great.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

You seem to have exactly the right attitude... it is all about your client.

I also love the 5th shot... yes color is off and you may be able to correct that. It's a beautiful shot - you should be happy with all of them.