This is the first one.

This is the second one. I haven't gotten all my proofs back yet, but these were 2 I liked. Thanks in advance!

They're both really cute - I"d have a hard time choosing. What a cutie!

The first one!
They are both good but the second one is kind of an odd angle and seems like it's all hair! -The first one is really good and her eyes really pop with the shirt!

quote:

Originally posted by Unknown*Actress:
The first one!
They are both good but the second one is kind of an odd angle and seems like it's all hair! -The first one is really good and her eyes really pop with the shirt!

This headshot was taken in open shade, outdoors, using a single reflector to illuminate the face. The fact that it "seems like it's all hair!" is due entirely to insufficient lighting and using a too-dark a background, which blended in with her dark hair.

Lovely child.

quote:

Originally posted by luxemama:
This is the second one. I haven't gotten all my proofs back yet, but these were 2 I liked. Thanks in advance!

I like this one for various reasons:
1. the smile is lovely and sincere
2. the clarity and tone is good
3. her eyes are open and stunning here
4. unlike photo one: the background is not distracting
5. unlike photo one: the color and tone is good
6. unlike photo one: the shirt is solid color and not busy/trendy

Overall, it's a good natural light shot!

Have the photographer retouch the image!
That should come with your payment for the session. Here is standard/general retouching he can or should do for you...

1. smooth out the image
2. whiten her teeth
3. give her skin a little color
4. keep the freckles..do not remove them
5. remove fly away hairs from her mouth area
6. bring out the blue in her eyes.

If for any lame reason your photographer says, "Gee, that's a lot of retouching, that'll cost you..." And it's like an enormous amount of money, then get ALL your images burned in HIGH RESOLUTION...LARGE FILE SIZE...JPEGS...put on a CD...and give me a buzz.

I'll give you a referral to an amazing photographer/graphic artist.

He retouched almost every image on my website.
And he designed my website.

Hope this helps Best wishes to you!

In a previous post, Secret Agent Man wrote:
[quote]
Ultimately, it doesn't really matter but here's my one and only concern about digital. A lot of untalented photographers think they don't need to worry about lighting if they use digital - which is a load of crap. They claim that digital is very flexible and everything can be fixed after the fact. Well, I couldn't disagree more. And I see hundreds of headshots every month.
[unquote].

Secret Agent Man's commentary was not only eerily accurate, but certainly applies here. Improper lighting technique can be alleviated by major retouching as you accurately suggested here, Mahogany. But only to a limited degree. Retouchers need great raw files with which to work. Unfortunately, the severe underexposure of these examples will never fully capture the photographic potential of this young lady.

Hi,

Thank you all for help and advice. I appreciate it greatly. Insufficient lighting was mentioned as a flaw in the two images I posted. Here is another proof, it seems to have more light. What do you think about it?
Thank you for your candidness, I genuinely appreciate your input!

Are there any proofs that capture her having fun? The pictures so far lack that sparkle in her eye (this is assuming that, since they all show her teeth, that you're deciding on a commercial headshot).

Yes, you are right I am trying to decide on a commercial shot. I have to go back and look at my proofs again, see what else I have....

What beautiful eyes. Her smile looks forced in the 3rd one, i don't think it's great for comercial submissions.