Fall Family Portraits...Please give CC-its my first paid family shoot!

[melissaandkris]

Ive done siblings before but not family portraits. They wanted casual outdoor shots...please tell me how you think I did! This is just a few of the first ones that Ive edited. All shot with my S5, some with 430EX.


1
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2554/4047079447_2f269b01d3_b.jpg

2...I think this needs more conversion work and more contrast...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4047084705_b113bfc805_b.jpg


3....i think this one needs a contrast boost too!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/4047825154_9cdb9b94a6_b.jpg


4 I just noticed I need to straighten the one below, the rail is not straight.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2618/4047081881_cfc109edd5_b.jpg

5
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/4047080331_94cdab95cc.jpg

6
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/4047828848_b628c6259a_b.jpg

[silversldr]

In the first one, for some reason, his face doesn't look as sharp as his wifes and their sons. Other then that I like them.

[bobbyz]

Nice ones. Kid got the same sweater as my son.

[melissaandkris]

Thanks guys! Your right he is slightly oof in the first. Maybe I can sharpen him up a little more. Any more CC?

[GregSteer]

#1 & #2 are misfocused. In #1 you can see that you've (or the camera) have focused on the bush in the background as it is in focus whereas the people aren't, ditto for #2 except it's the wall. I really wouldn't supply the 1st image as it isn't up to the standard of the rest.

#3 & #4 - as you say, need a contrast boost, darkening of background / vignette.

#5 & #6 - nice, contrast boost a tad, + vibrance(or saturation depending on your program) only slightly though, and a background darken for #6. Bit of eye brightening in #6 would work wonders too, not too much mind.

[collierportraits]

ONLY my opinions here, so take 'em with a grain of salt, ok? (I may be alone in these)

I think we focus (no pun intended) WAY too much on the sharpness of portraits on this forum. Of course, we don't want seriously oof images, but in my experience, if they are slightly soft the client will NEVER notice. Now, I agree, Ok, I agree!! We aim for tack sharp images, but if the client looks great and the pose and expression are great, then usually the soft image is just fine.

Having said that, I think you are most lacking in your poses here. They are very stiff, straightforward, stand here look at the camera and smile type images. Now, if that's what you like... I suppose that's fine, but it tends to look more like a snapshot. That particular pose does... I hope I'm not being offensive, but change it up a bit. Sit 'em down. Have em walk off and then return... This first image actually looks the most comfortable and it appears they are sitting down. They have an adorable child, have them kneel and sit around the child. So much opportunity. Keep working it and changing it and you'll end up with amazing images...

I like the last two images here the best, because there is interaction with each other and together and the poses seem more comfortable. NOW, let me say that I don't think you always have to pose people! Especially these days, when portraiture seems to be more informal than ever. But you do have to continue to work with the subjects until they appear comfortable. Engage their hands, let 'em love on each other as you've done here and avoid the mothers pose in #4 where she barely looks a part of the family... I hope some of this helps! Keep it up! I'm sure they were ecstatic with the images and that's what REALLY matters! ;)

[melissaandkris]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I edited them some more and boosted the contrast and colors. I showed them to the family and they loved them. She put in a pretty large order and I have already gotten the prints back. She picked one that he was not very sharp in as her favorite and ordered an 11x14, some 8x10s, and 5x7s for family. I can tell in the print that he's not as sharp but hopefully that will not be obvious to them. I learned a lot with this shoot and appreciate the well thought out CC!