A few more from another shoot. CC if you don't mind. I have been practicing a bit.

[AMOMENT]

1.

2.

3

4.

5.

6.

 

[gsgary]

Sorry these are just point and shoot with some pop up flash, I can't see any thought put into them, you need to slow down and think about the shot because at the moment i think you are going backwards

 

[KmH]

Be careful about over post processing eyes.

A large part of the problem with the on camera flash is it's so small. The small light makes hard edged shadows. The other problem is that it's right on amd close to the lens axis, so it leave no shadows on the facial mask to provide any modeling depth (flat lighting) that ands interest, character, tension, and drama to a portrait.

Portrait photographers use light modifiers to make their light source apparently larger, which makes the light 'wrap' around subjects and have nice soft poorly defined, almost unnoticable shadow edges.

 

[LuckySe7en]

Instead of using the pop up flash, try using no flash and utilize the ambient light more effectively.
1-3 look like they are straight off the camera in auto mode. Flash is way too harsh and the angle looks to be from you standing up next to her.
Squat down, get to eye level.
4 and 5 look a littttttle better. The crop is too tight though. and you're cutting off her bow and some hair. Not really feeling the pink lips.
#6 is the best of the bunch. Nice color. Still looks like a snap shot. Try posing her next time and have her look up at you. Again, squat down

Keep shooting!

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

More of the same.

 

[DiskoJoe]

go take a picture of something else besides your kids. Its starting to get creepy that this is all you do. I love my kids too but there is more to photography then this.

 

[LuckySe7en]

If you're going to use flash, invest in a cheap bounce flash. It'll make all the difference in the world

 

[ThereSheGoes]

go take a picture of something else besides your kids. Its starting to get creepy that this is all you do. I love my kids too but there is more to photography then this.

I agree that it's good to shoot a variety of subjects, but to call it creepy to take lots of photos of your kids? Um, no. I have taken probably at least 2,000 photos of my child because she is, frankly, adorable, and does a lot of cute things. Most of them have been candid snapshots, but still... Now, if someone was posting lots of pictures of ONE child that was someone else's (like dozens and dozens of pics), well, that might be a little odd.

 

[MLeeK]

I think your problem is that you are trying to do EVERYTHING so fast you are missing points and not getting it all together.
First, before you go adding flash in you need to learn how to control Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO and how they will have an effect on your photo. THEN you can add flash, but if you do it all at once it's more than confusing. Flash changes the rules.
Stop. Slow down. Take a week or a month or a year practicing with each element until you have a great mastery of it and completely understand.
Throwing in a little posing and how to find the good light at the same time won't hurt, but the in camera work is complicated when you are learning. Until you figure out each element it remains complicated and you won't get amazing results.
It feels like you are constantly throwing up any snap shot you take for CC. Not that anyone minds cc'ing them. That's not the problem. Stop just shooting in a quick, random whatever. That's for the snapshots and memory "mom" shots. To master and get the PORTRAIT shots-stop, slow down, plan, think. Pair it with whatever you are working on. If it is aperture then work with the depth of field and ambient light. THINK for a minute about exactly what you WANT to capture. What you envision that image to look like in your head if the best photographer ever were behind the camera. Then analyze what you want and turn it into what you need. Where do you need the light to fall? Where do you need to be? what should your settings be for the motion in the image? for the depth of field you WANT? Do you need some extra light? Use a reflector to put more light back on the face. A reflector can be as simple as a piece of white poster board, foam core craft board is awesome, a car window heat shield...
Stop scurrying around here and there, to and fro shooting everything you can shoot with little thought to the staging. You'll be amazed by what happens.

 

[MLeeK]

One more point-STOP SHOOTING FROM ABOVE YOUR KIDS! It's a sure bet it'll turn out like a snapshot. Get level with them at the very least.

 

[Geaux]

nose crust....gross.

 

[DiskoJoe]

go take a picture of something else besides your kids. Its starting to get creepy that this is all you do. I love my kids too but there is more to photography then this.

I agree that it's good to shoot a variety of subjects, but to call it creepy to take lots of photos of your kids? Um, no. I have taken probably at least 2,000 photos of my child because she is, frankly, adorable, and does a lot of cute things. Most of them have been candid snapshots, but still... Now, if someone was posting lots of pictures of ONE child that was someone else's (like dozens and dozens of pics), well, that might be a little odd.

she only takes and posts pictures of her kids. Thats it.

 

[ThereSheGoes]

go take a picture of something else besides your kids. Its starting to get creepy that this is all you do. I love my kids too but there is more to photography then this.

I agree that it's good to shoot a variety of subjects, but to call it creepy to take lots of photos of your kids? Um, no. I have taken probably at least 2,000 photos of my child because she is, frankly, adorable, and does a lot of cute things. Most of them have been candid snapshots, but still... Now, if someone was posting lots of pictures of ONE child that was someone else's (like dozens and dozens of pics), well, that might be a little odd.

she only takes and posts pictures of her kids. Thats it.

Maybe she needs some inspiration for other things to photograph? I know that I personally have a hard time finding interesting things to photograph in my house (or even my yard), but it's easier to find things when I go out for awhile. Parents of young children (especially moms) sometimes spend a lot of time in their houses, so the most interesting subject is usually the kiddos.

 

[LuckySe7en]

she's obviously here for help. Quit being a d**k and offer some advice. She can shoot whatever she feels like shooting. People shoot pictures of a freakin leaf for crying out loud. Regardless, we should be a little more helpful.

 

[princesstaty7]

I think your problem is that you are trying to do EVERYTHING so fast you are missing points and not getting it all together.
First, before you go adding flash in you need to learn how to control Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO and how they will have an effect on your photo. THEN you can add flash, but if you do it all at once it's more than confusing. Flash changes the rules.
Stop. Slow down. Take a week or a month or a year practicing with each element until you have a great mastery of it and completely understand.
Throwing in a little posing and how to find the good light at the same time won't hurt, but the in camera work is complicated when you are learning. Until you figure out each element it remains complicated and you won't get amazing results.
It feels like you are constantly throwing up any snap shot you take for CC. Not that anyone minds cc'ing them. That's not the problem. Stop just shooting in a quick, random whatever. That's for the snapshots and memory "mom" shots. To master and get the PORTRAIT shots-stop, slow down, plan, think. Pair it with whatever you are working on. If it is aperture then work with the depth of field and ambient light. THINK for a minute about exactly what you WANT to capture. What you envision that image to look like in your head if the best photographer ever were behind the camera. Then analyze what you want and turn it into what you need. Where do you need the light to fall? Where do you need to be? what should your settings be for the motion in the image? for the depth of field you WANT? Do you need some extra light? Use a reflector to put more light back on the face. A reflector can be as simple as a piece of white poster board, foam core craft board is awesome, a car window heat shield...
Stop scurrying around here and there, to and fro shooting everything you can shoot with little thought to the staging. You'll be amazed by what happens.

Awesome advice, I'd have said the same. Photography takes time and a good eye for details, I'd rather take 5 good pictures than 2,000 and none good. Also, don't attack people with evil comments saying words like 'creepy' etc, like some else said, she's free to take all the pics she wants of her kids, experiencing with other objects, nature, abstract, sports, kind of photography really helps with opening tour imagination for good pictures! Good luck!