Here's one from the Outer Banks, NC

OK, that doesn't work either. I agree the viewer should be directed toward the beach chairs. What's wrong is that big white patch of sky, between the bird and the edge of the image. It lets the viewer's eye go right out of the picture. You need to darken that section of sky with a curve toward the beach. Just hold your hand up at an angle from that light triangle poking into the clouds to the horizon at the edge of the print. Then look at the picture, starting from the lower left, and follow your lines of sky and horizon, and you'll see that your eye will go down to the chair much smoother.
Sorry if I am being overly critical, but when I show prints, I figure someone saying, "beautiful picture" doesn't help me. And it really is a beautiful picture. In professional photography judging, the scores are basically fro 65 to 100. A very very good image is in the high 80s. 100 or perfect is what we all strive for.
Also there is and old saying, some people go for blue ribbons, some go for the green ones(cash). Sometimes a perfect image may not be as sellable to the general public.

You did a great job Photoshoping (is that a word>) them together. I like the mood and composition of the beach and the sky, but you created lines that lead the viewer out of the picture - out the upper right side. And the bird flying in that direction makes it worse. My eyes wants to follow the bird right of the image. The goal of good composition is to keep the viewer's eye on the picture. My if you flipped the bird, so it's turned into the picture, it might be just what it needs.

No, actually, I was a zoo keeper at zoos in Springfield, Illinois, and in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne Indiana, and came to western NY to manage a zoo for a Theme Park, but it didn't work out. I have my home/studio in Corfu, NY. I'm about 1/2 way between Buffalo and Rochester, but we are more often in the Buffalo direction.

The middle two are the best. Two quick tips for portraits. 1. If it bends - bend it. Your first and last image have her head to straight, the other two are better because there are more bends, eg neck, hips, arms. 2. Your lighting is Flat. You should be lighting the mask of the face. The first two are very flat, the 3rd and 4th are a little better. The sides of the face should be shadowed more to give a roundness to the face.
If you are photographing outside, you can shoot without a flash by finding the direction of the light and having your subject face into it, while she is standing in open shade. If you use a flash, it should be used as fill light, not the main.
You have a good model that seems to have good self posing, let her have some fun and move a little.

I just discovered Ugly Hedgehog, first of all - why is it called Ugly Hedgehog?
Before I became a professional photographer, I was a zoo keeper, and I think hedgehogs are cute. I grew up in I;;inois, and got into photography because I wanted to do wildlife and zoo photography.But I had to pay the bills, so...
I've been a professional photographer in Western NY (between Buffalo and Rochester) for over 30 years. I mainly photograph weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and portraits.
Since I went digital I have been getting some nature and animal photography done and I really enjoy it.

The images above are very good. Here's a few of my zoo images.

Panda at National Zoo


Going for a ride. Buffalo Zoo


owl at National Zoo

The Tamron 18-270 is on my camera for 98% of the wedding day. It's the perfect lens. I have two of them, and I want to sell one.