My first PAID photoshoot!

Very nice, I'm sure she'll be happy with them.
#4 is adorable but that grass being in the corner of the photo like that makes me dizzy looking at it. LOL

i also like 4 the best. beautiful baby.

You did awesome, good work. The last 3 are my favorites, sharp, good composition, and skin tones.

Congrats on your paid shoot, very nice series. I especially like #4.
I agree with whiskaz, I think I would have shot in Av to control DOF. It might have allowed you to get sharp focus on both faces in #2, the baby is a little soft but I'm a stickler for sharp eyes.

Congrats Kansasmom !

Did you use Fill flash? It seems like it, shadows are not as harsh as I thought while I first read your thread text.

Gotta go with the rest of the bunch and say these are pretty good photos.

Aperture, as mentioned above, can give you an edge, although at less than f/3 it might be too much of an edge (couple of days ago I photographed a couple at f/1.x, and only a nose came in focus).

That park looks familiar. I think you did a shoot there with some friends of yours?...you posted some once a long time ago. Knowing where you will be taking photos always helps. The Next to last image is definitely my favorite, with kids it is fun to take unconventional approaches, specially down to their eye level, and sometimes even lower. They may be small in size, but in spirit they are giants.

The Baby's eyes are definitely awesome material to work with. I would look for an alternate way of shooting that image again. I would recommend a prop or two. Sometimes the toddler propped against something, short DOF (even if very light) will make those rosie cheeks and ocean blue eyes pop out really well. Only other eye comment for money shots, is squinting eyes. Gotta find a way to make those eyes stay opened if possible (really tough with kids).

I really am not sure what more to say, as the photos you took seem good to me, and the creative stuff will pop up in the moment. Just loose yourself and become what you are photographing, whether it is a protest, or a soccer game. When you think in terms of what is around you (or WHO is around you) then the ideas flow much easier. So don't be afraid of laughing to get the kids attention, or laying on the grass to get the right angle -I usually fake a fall, makes kids laugh- ... I know, sounds artsy fartsy, but it somehow has worked for me. and no, I have never done acid or any of those things.

Best of lucks, and seek the muses, the inspiration. I go 'Bhudda' before doing portraits or any planned photography. Another crazy thought, but it helps me. I look at tons of images, no TV, no letters, I try to get the appropriate half of my brain going.

Cheers,