That sounds like a great start. Over time, you'll fine tune and develop your style as you experiment.

Gerald,
Thanks for asking about your kids gallery. These are exposed very well and show the character of the people you depict. Very nice, fun, and plenty to love! The only thing I would add to take them to the next level is to begin experimenting with your ability to light subjects is to emphasize the "mask" of the face. In most, your brightest light is not illuminating the eyes. That would make the images "pop". This is best done with a lighting that comes from off camera angle, which is highly manipulated and very tough with kids...
So, keep doing what you are doing, and look for the light to be as directional (into the mask of the face) as you can. This should not be light from above (which leaves "raccon eyes") but from about 10 o'clock or lower to the subject.

Hey there! I thought I'd already responded to this, but I guess I didn't do it right because it isn't showing up. Nahhh Praying mantis' aren't scarey...they're kind of cute :)