Here is another one for critique from my Children's archive. I really like this type of lighting but I have been told that parents really aren't that interested in more artistic, dramatic portraits of thier children and prefer portaits with flatter lighting and fewer shadows. This has not been my experience.

I would like to know what others think. You can view more of my children's photography here, though few of them are done in this style. Take a look around my site and sign the guestbook if you have the time. I am interested in what others think about the site as well.

On the home page slider: 16, 19 & 27 (that one is incredible) are my favs. I think the BW's are a bit contrasty for my taste but that's the beauty of having your own style and your clients that LIKE that look will gravitate toward you. Couldn't look through all your images (the slider makes me dizzy - a little car sick, isn't that dorky of me?) but I really digged the rocker senior chick!

This is so cute! If I were a client of yours and that was my child, I would be thrilled! What a great shot! I'll be sure to check out your other work.

Thanks to all for the kind words. Here is another one from the same session.

I think its fantastic!

Thank you Ashley.

I completely agree. Im all about contrasty edgy for children. I think your work is great. Dont follow advice that goes against your gut. Shoot the way you want to and let the clients come to you....and they will.

Couldn't have put it any better!

Thanks Jennifer. I just visited your site and you work is stunning. Nicely designed site also.

Just visited your site and you have some beautiful images in your galleries.

even before i became a photographer, my favs were always photogs that would do contrasty, darker dramatic photos....the greyscale studio stuff was always a turn off. maybe that's just me, the destined-to-be-photog. already brewing up ideas for my own future work. naw, really tho, i think there are people out there who really love this stuff, but only "settle" for the less dramatic stuff because there's so so much out there like that. finding a niche helps...like....

there are a lot of mainstream studios out there. i think if you're all across the board, it's hard to get much of the clientelle that like the artsy stuff because it's inconsistent with your (not your's specifically) galleries. whereas, if that's all you do (ie. jessica claire comes to mind with her specific style of capturing light and images and post processing) - people will look for you specifically.

just my take on it...but whatever! GREAT portfolio and kiddos!
<3 kristy

CUTE pucker picture - I LOVE it And hope you didn't take my comment as negative on contrast. You'll get the clients that LIKE contrast and clients that DON'T - doesn't make it right/wrong; just like you'll get clients that like color saturation and those that like the color pulled down and desaturated. I agree with the other comments that you do what YOU like because it's YOUR art. Just like how we all have the stores we like to shop at and others we don't - I'm so glad there's a bunch of styles to choose from

I think those shots are fabulous and i would buy them in a heart beat
if they were of my children.....


keep it up!

nice work!

I think those shots are fabulous and i would buy them in a heart beat
if they were of my children.....


keep it up!

nice work!

Thanks for the comments Lisa. I just checked out your site and your images are fabulous! Did you use Proshow for the wedding slideshow?

If it's your style, it's your style! I like it.

These are beautiful, and I love dramatic lighting on children. I think the effect of shadow brings out the true dimension in their faces that reveal their real looks, and real facial structure.

You have to stay true to yourself and your vision no matter what comes and goes. If this is what you like to do and clients like it, who cares what anyone else does or doesn't do?

I happen to like playing around with shadows from time to time and think you do it beautifully.

Cindy

Skye, I took a look at our site and your work is stunning. I really like your treatment in post. I was just blown away! A compliment from someone as obviously talented as yourself means a great deal to me. Much appreciation for all of the kind remarks above as well.

Here is one last image from the same set. I had this one printed at 16 x 20 and turns out it was a little soft. Shame, because it is one of my favorites.

These are done really well. I usually do baby pictures on white paper (my style and why people come to me) with window light at f/2 or so -- very soft. But when I've done them on black, they look really cool.

I think the next time I have a baby that can handle a longer session, I'll do some more on the black. Thanks for the reminder.

The other kid pictures on your site are great, too. Is that gallery a smugmug thing or can I get it somewhere?

No problem!

Adam, yeah it's a smugmug site that I have customized. I pay $100.00/year for unlimited storage, the ability to take credit card payment, and they have thier own color lab that prints and ships directly to my customers. Of course that is the pro account and if you are just wanting to post galleries it is a much cheaper account. Oh and by the way thanks for the compliment.