My first Newborn Session

[JessicaLynnPhoto]

Ok so I am super nervous about posting on here....This is my first time sharing! Ahhhh the excitement! Please don't eat me alive! I would really like some CC on this picture.....I'm still working on the rest from the session!

[texkam]

Remember what they say, "If you're nervous, imagine your audience naked". ................Well, on second thought.


Cute, but appears underexposed.

[mmuhlenkamp]

I think it's pretty dark, especially for a newborn photo (I think light and soft suits newborns). Maybe try a black and white conversion as well. She's a cutey that's for sure

[dmcantrell]

Pros:
* simple uncluttered subject
* nice colors / props
* no distracting elements in the bacground

Cons:
* a little underexposed
* I think some directional light would really add some depth to the image. It seems like the light is almost straight-on. Do you have a off-camera flash?
* the subject lines are right through the middle of the frame and do not follow the rule of thirds, but this is more of a nitpick

[JessicaLynnPhoto]

Hi! Sorry I've been MIA haha, Thank you for your CC! :)

Is it weird to say I like the coloring? I completely get that its underexposed a tad, But i like it! Call me crazy ;)

Also I don't have an off camera flash :( Hopefully soon! I normally shoot outside but the mom wanted to do it inside so i tried my best!

And yes, I was a little worried about the rule of thirds... Can you explain how you would have composed it instead?

Again thank you!! :)

[kimberley]

Jessica....

Congrats on your first newborn session, they are so scary at first but after a few session you will get the hang of it in no time :)

Heres my 2 cents..

First its underexposed, I know you said "you" like but this is for a client and it will print dark and not look professional, adjust the exposure.

Next the images isnt sharp it looks a tad out of focus, do some selective sharpening :)

I like how you have positioned the baby, maybe next time tuck her hand down a tad so you can see those sweet lips :)

Next watch your rule of thirds, its a cute image but my eye wanders maybe try a diffrent crop :)

I think you have a great start....change your exposure, crop and do a little sharpening and youll have a sweet image for mom and dad :)


Heres a quick play, adjusted curves etc :) Please feel free to take it down if you want :)

[JessicaLynnPhoto]

Originally Posted by kimberley

First its underexposed, I know you said "you" like but this is for a client and it will print dark and not look professional, adjust the exposure.

Thank you! My head has been spinning cause i've had some issues with Lightroom but thats all worked out now so I feel like i'm focusing on the pictures more! It was stressful! lol

Originally Posted by kimberley

I like how you have positioned the baby, maybe next time tuck her hand down a tad so you can see those sweet lips :)

Actually she wasnt wanting to stay still! haha I have some others that I defiantly feel like I positioned her in a much stronger position, although she was asleep too lol

Thank you so much for the input Kimberley!

[jeffro20]

Maybe it's my monitor but I prefer the exposure, saturation and contrast of the original image.

[JessicaLynnPhoto]

So I'm finally getting back and a chance to post some of what the final images look like from the session! If I need to start a completely new thread please let me know :)

The first one I'm posting is the redone version of the original one I posted up top of this post!

[naranjita]

Hello, Jessica! I hope you don't mind a little critique from someone who still considers herself relatively new to photographing newborns. Kudos for coming back and sharing more with us! :)

1. I think the first one is still a touch too dark. Don't be afraid to brighten that baby up! :)
2. The details in her face are a little blown out. I don't mind this pose, but I can see how this could possibly be seen as a little "odd", given that her head is placed between his knees.
3. I love shots of alert newborns. I think this angle makes her eyes appear to be a little too far apart, however.
4. With a shot like this, I would have brought her face more towards you and not stuffed the crate so high. Also, try to be aware of your background. My eyes keep wandering to the baseboards and the sofa.
5. Precious! Try some selective sharpening and "burn in" her lid line(?) a little. Add a touch of eyeliner, if you will. ;) I find it helpful to focus on the corner of the eye when babies have light or very few eyelashes.
6. I prefer this shot to No.1, FWIW. :) She looks a tad too red, but maybe it's just part of the PP?

You're on the right track, Jessica and you're off to a good start. I hope that you will continue to post here and that more members will chime in with some helpful critiques for you!

Sasha

[Steve Balderrama]

haven't seen in mentioned yet, so I'll just say I'd get rid of that annoying smudge on the wall above the right arm, and probably a few others also that are not as noticeable.