Thank you for all of your suggestions, I am completely new to digital photography for the most part and this is a brand new camera to me I still have a lot to learn these pictures were my very first tries I knew I was doing something wrong and with a whole lot of trial and error I hope to get there.

I only used a tripod on the last picture

The first two were taken around mid day really bright sunlight

Thank you...I am getting use to the camera settings and how everything should be for every shot, I am practicing all the time luckily I have willing subjects to torture with "don't move yet", I am having a difficult time with indoor adjustments though not sure what my problem is on that one.

Hi everyone these are my first attempts with my new Cannon 60D I am still getting use to all of the different settings and learning how to focus as I can not get an image right in auto focus ever.

The first picture is my daughter shot in manual, jpeg, f-stop f/5.6, Exposure time 1/1600 sec., ISO speed 2000 focal length 109mm, no flash.
The second my youngest daughter shot in manual, jpeg, f-stop 5.6, exposure 1/250 sec, ISO 1600, focal length 55mm, with flash

The last one is of my niece shot in manual, jpeg, f-stop 5.6, exposure 1/200 sec.,ISO-6400, focal length 70mm, no flash

The camera store was very helpful and actually had really great deals on the camera and lens that I ordered and also offered classes for you to get use to your new camera which was another big selling point for me, I don't mind reading all about the camera but it is nice to know I will have someone there to show me how all of the features work and I agree you can get deals anywhere but taking care of our local store means more to me with all of the help they gave me I wouldnt hesitate to go back for more equipment

Thank you everyone for your great advice it truly has helped with my decision, I went to my local camera store a d played around with both the t3i and 60d both are really great cameras, in the end the 60d felt better in my hands and will do better on portraits than the t3i, as you said it is merely a tool and thus we must learn how to control the tool how we need to control it. So I am waiting on my 60d to come in as I ordered it along with an 18-55mm & 55-250mm lens can't wait for them to come in and again thank for all of your help.

I am in a dilemma wanting to purchase a new camera, I am torn between the Cannon T3i and the 60D, can anyone tell me if there is a huge difference between these two cameras, and what any major differences would be. I have read so many different reviews but nothing substantiating as to the biggest differences, I have a love for portrait and animal photography as well as nature.

My name is Tori, I of course am new to this site, I have a love of photography that is shared by whole family, we each have different subjects that are our favorites mine are animals and portraits mainly...Looking forward to reading all of the great advice from everyone and seeing some really great pictures