Euan (C&C)

Quackles

Right.. *deep breath*

I'm sure you're all sick of seeing my baby portraits popping up in the random thread, but there's a reason - I'm playing with the idea of advertising to photograph children and babies. If it worked and I got a couple of calls, yay, experience. If it catches on and I got more than a couple, double yay. Also, there is no such a service offered in our locality.

So I'm putting up pics for critique from now on. I'd say be gentle, but I want honestly. It's easy to convince yourself that your work is good enough to charge for when it's your own kids.

Here goes nothing..

xia

I am propably not experienced enough to offer C&C as in addition I am not really into studio photography, but if that was my baby I would buy at least #2 & #3. In #1 he's too much in his own world for me.

fuzzywuzzy1

This is my first time to offer c&c. As a wannabe photographer and mother to a two year old, I love no. 2 & 3. I'm not keen on photos of babies in nappies for some reason (even my own) and I don't like the idea of the tie around the baby's neck. I love the natural expression in no. 2 & 3 and in particular I love the catchlight in the baby's eys in no 3. Well done on having the courage to post your pics for c&c. Hopefully some day I'll be able to

melekalikimaka

aye. 2 and 3 are lovely, slightly flat bw conversion... but maybe thats what ya anted, not my personal taste. also in 1, the nappy distracts, maybe pants or not to sound inappropriate, nude would work better

oshead

I like them. Great looking baby with great expressions. The black and white conversions look fine to me. Love the props. Work really well here. I'd like to see a bit of eye contact with the camera. Who ever is playing with(attracting) Euan should do so with the aim of getting his attention towards the camera. Maybe by playing peek-aboo from behind the photog.

greeneyedspirit

if that was my kid, I'd buy all three of them. Absolutely beautiful.

Crispin

I like 2 and 3. But these shots would be so much better if you can get the baby to look at the camera and also like Oshead I like the B and W conversion and the props too, great idea.

Quackles

Folks, thanks for the feedback.

For those of you who think the nappy distracts, I agree.. I've been looking for plain nappies, no decal, I think that'd be better. If anyone knows of any, please share. If I do go down the route of shooting other people's kids, I'll buy terry cloth nappies or nappy covers. I don't mind nude baby rear shots, but I wouldn't do the front unless the parent asked. I wouldn't want it for my kids, we'll say.

Melekalikimaka (sp? ), you do have a point about the flat b&w conversion, you're not the first person to point it out (I am lucky enough to have a husband with a good eye who'll give honest c&c). It's the first time I didn't use a lightroom preset to start with, so I'm still very much learning here.

Thanks again, peoples!

smelltheglove

Quackles wrote: »

Folks, thanks for the feedback.

For those of you who think the nappy distracts, I agree.. I've been looking for plain nappies, no decal, I think that'd be better. If anyone knows of any, please share. If I do go down the route of shooting other people's kids, I'll buy terry cloth nappies or nappy covers. I don't mind nude baby rear shots, but I wouldn't do the front unless the parent asked. I wouldn't want it for my kids, we'll say.

!

Well for a plainer nappy I think the lidl ones are quite plain. I never used them as my kids were sensitive but my sister in law did and as far as I recall they are just plain white with a small band at the front. Terry cloth would be much better, or even just an old style nappy pant, you know the type that you would but over a girls nappy if her dress was short, you can still get them in the old style clothing shops, there is one just off Henry street, is it called Liffey street, not sure, by arnotts side door.

I love them honestly, having spent a while doing child shots it is very hard to get a child to react like this, espcially if they are not your child. I would like a little more interaction with the camera rather than the person entertaining at the side, like what I said in another c&c thread try get the parent to stand above you, i.e. if you are on your hunkers, that way at least the child os looking in your direction. I also used to use a musical barney toy and hold it with one hand right beside the lens, this would engage the younger babies and it would be almost like they were looking directly at the lens.

bullpost

Great expressions on 2 and 3 . You've clearly got a knack for this as I know from past experience that babies don't make easy subjects.
I'd say though that in general these type of photos work best with lots of light, catching the eyes etc. Your's are just a wee bit dark.

Quackles

Thanks folks. I need to work on getting the subjects to look at me. Also on getting someone else's kids to practise on, because it would be so much more difficult than my own.

The nappies in lidl have a fairly dark blue design all over them, I'd tried them I think the nappy cover job sounds best, need to find a shop around here that does them. And does neutral ones!

All this advice is pure gold, thanks again.

Sleepy

My girlfriends reaction was 'awhh look!'...

She'd have bought 2 & 3 as well (I'm a cheapskate, I'd have tried to copy them )... good luck with the new business!

smelltheglove

Quackles wrote: »

I think the nappy cover job sounds best, need to find a shop around here that does them. And does neutral ones!

All this advice is pure gold, thanks again.

If I come across any I'll grab them for ya, they're only cheap anyway. Oh and a lot of school uniform shops are those oldy kinda shops so they may have them, where I get my kids uniforms is a mens shop though so they wont have them.

Quackles

smelltheglove wrote: »

If I come across any I'll grab them for ya, they're only cheap anyway. Oh and a lot of school uniform shops are those oldy kinda shops so they may have them, where I get my kids uniforms is a mens shop though so they wont have them.

Actually, there is a shop like that in Sligo, does cot sheets and things like that, so should probably have them - will give it a shot Thanks!

Quackles

Sleepy wrote: »

My girlfriends reaction was 'awhh look!'...

She'd have bought 2 & 3 as well (I'm a cheapskate, I'd have tried to copy them )... good luck with the new business!

So what you're saying is big, obtrusive watermark on my proofs?

Sleepy

Quackles wrote: »

So what you're saying is big, obtrusive watermark on my proofs?

Sorry for the resurrection...

What I'd meant was I'd try to replicate the shots with the same model and my own camera

Borderfox

The other alternative is mount the camera on a tripod and fire remotely and that way you can interact better.

squareballoon

I like them. For #1 I would have got down lower. #2 and #3 would be really great if he was looking at you. It's very hard to get a baby really smiling at you if the mother is in the room trying to get them to smile as the baby or child is almost always looking at them. It's worth warning them of that beforehand. I don't mind the baby being absorbed in something and not looking at the camera for all shots but it's great if you can get one. Sometimes the easiest one to get is one where you're directly above them and they're looking straight up at you. For older children a fart machine is invaluable
You can get knitted nappy covers on Etsy or if you know anyone who knits they aren't that hard to make. Also have a look at http://keriannebrown.com/. I adore her stuff!
Best of luck with your venture!

Chorcai

Quackles wrote: »

For those of you who think the nappy distracts,

A suit pants ? you know that look of kids in suits but just have him in the suit pants + hat n tie ?

Really nice shots, wish I had something like that of me when I was small instead of the ones hanging on the wall at home... makes me gringe everytime.

Covey

I think they are all excellent, but unlike most number one stands out as both really good and a bit different.:pac:

Quackles

My first multiquote, I'm so proud :pac:

Sleepy wrote: »

Sorry for the resurrection...

What I'd meant was I'd try to replicate the shots with the same model and my own camera

Aaaah.. I said the same, but I still nearly bankrupted myself when the older fella graduated playschool!

Borderfox wrote: »

The other alternative is mount the camera on a tripod and fire remotely and that way you can interact better.

I have to try this - at the moment, I only have a wired remote, must get a wireless one. Also have to try the waving toys around approach. It's getting harder, because my model can crawl now, so being able to get away from the camera would be much better.

squareballoon wrote: »

I like them. For #1 I would have got down lower. #2 and #3 would be really great if he was looking at you. It's very hard to get a baby really smiling at you if the mother is in the room trying to get them to smile as the baby or child is almost always looking at them. It's worth warning them of that beforehand. I don't mind the baby being absorbed in something and not looking at the camera for all shots but it's great if you can get one. Sometimes the easiest one to get is one where you're directly above them and they're looking straight up at you. For older children a fart machine is invaluable
You can get knitted nappy covers on Etsy or if you know anyone who knits they aren't that hard to make. Also have a look at http://keriannebrown.com/. I adore her stuff!
Best of luck with your venture!

Oooh lovely.. the tiny baby photos make me clucky, my husband won't thank you

Chorcai wrote: »

A suit pants ? you know that look of kids in suits but just have him in the suit pants + hat n tie ?

Really nice shots, wish I had something like that of me when I was small instead of the ones hanging on the wall at home... makes me gringe everytime.

I dont think I'd be in to the suit pants alone, but maybe the pants and a shirt.. We all have the cheesy childhood portraits. I had two pigtails til I was 24 or something like that

Covey wrote: »

I think they are all excellent, but unlike most number one stands out as both really good and a bit different.:pac:

Thanks, I love no. 1, too.. I like that he's in his own little world.

kjt

Can't add much C&C as most of it's covered. Just wanted to say I really love these shots. Original, fun and makes you smile. I could see this style selling quite well.

Super work Deirdre!

Fenster

I had a similar crisis of faith with my own children's photos. Be the best and be unapologetic!