[Bella]

I have a photo shoot in a couple of days and this is the sort of image they have asked for. I grabbed my kids and had a quick try as I've not done this style before.
I really need advice on how I could improve. Or do you think it will pass.
Would you pay for an image like this?

[Dabhand16]

I think this is really nice, Bella. Lighting and exposure are good, but part of me likes the feet, and part finds them a distracion. I think I'd either make sure you have shots with and without feet, maybe the shots with feet might be better taken from an angle to prevent them sticking out of their heads!

If they were my kids, I think I would buy the picture.

Good luck with the shoot.

[Joseph McGarraghy]

I really like this and can find no fault, it is the kind of record any parent would be very pleased to buy. If all your pictures are so good you will give a lot of pleasure.
Well done Bella.

[cotter]

as i have said on another post I like this shot.

But if I was to be criticle 2 points I would change:

1. I feel the light on the faces is a little to bright, which in turn does not give great contrast.

2. I like the feet in the photo, but this could be improved by changing the aperture to help blur them out a bit.

Hope this helps. with all that said I would pay for a picture like this without the changes.

[skipper954]

What great looking kids. You captured their personality, I think.

I, too, think that the feet are distracting, but that is minor.

More major is that you blew your son's white shirt, and yes, your daughters face is just a tad too bright.

Be careful about the clothes that mom puts on the kids, because a white shirt can cause too great a range of brightness for good exposure.

I otherwise like your lighting, focus, and BG. And the pose is great.

You have taken kid photos before, so you know all the tricks, but I shall repeat my favorite. When you have taken your picture, say something like "great shot, kids, thanks", but keep your eye in the viewfinder and your camera pointed at them. When they relax - snap! Gotcha!

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[Bella]

Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I have taken it all in and hopefully the shoot will go well. I really appreciate the advice given, I have to remember to watch for the feet out of head thing. And I need to practise with the flash more, It's always to bright. would a diffuser help here?

[skipper954]

For sure a diffuser would help. Also if you have a hotshoe, you may be able to decrease the power of the flash.

I got this godugly diffusor from Gary Fong, and I love it, because you can point the flash at the ceiling, wall etc, and still diffuse. Try his website.

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[Markulous]

Diffuser would definitely help (even if just a piece of tissue paper over flash) to soften the contrasty shadows and help prevent the pinpoint catchlights