please give me some constructive criticism

[Aretha]

I want to take good, consistent photos. Please critique and tell me if I am going in the right direction.
The pictures of my daughter - I tried to get in close to focus on her face.
The shoes - If shooting a wedding, is this the way to document details?
The dress in the window - Same as shoes; is this the way to photograph the dress? (I realize that there is some clutter, in the image.)
The sky - just a picture. Hold the mouse over the photo and click photo info for the settings.
http://kinimages.smugmug.com/gallery/3937898#228711893 (http://kinimages.smugmug.com/gallery/3937898#228711893)
Thanks

[Peter Pawinski]

The portraits look a little soft to me, and it looks like slight motion blur. Relax and keep still or work at a faster shutter speed. Also, focus on the front eye--you're back focused ever so slightly, as well.

EXIF says you're at ISO1600, f/5.6, 1/50 sec, at 45mm(75mm equivalent). I would also prefer and ISO of 800 or below, and you're about a full stop or so underexposed. Personally, I would try something like ISO800, f/2.8, 1/50 sec or so.

Content-wise, I like the last two frames of the portraits the best.

As for the detail shots, minus the clutter, that's perfectly fine documentation. The dress is also a good straightforward way of shooting the dress. You can also try exposing more for the dress and letting the window and blinds blow out and see if you like that better, but I like the exposure you have just fine. I would only advise you to watch your angles and your lines. Your horizon is a little tilted and you're shooting a little off-axis. For photos like this, I tend to like them either completely geometrical, straight-on with perfect lines, or purposely angular.

For the sky photo, there's no good reason for you to be at ISO800. For a photo where you definitely have enough light, I would default to ISO200.

[openspace]

I note the flash didn't fire either. Use at leat a fill flash on the portrait shots. It'll certainly take care of that underexposure, and add more spark to the eye. I agree with Peter on the ISO - ISO 1600 is just too noisy no matter what camera you use. Go for an ISO 400 especially if using flash. Ditto on the focusing.