First (paid) family session.CnC on Christmas portraits

[OGsPhotography]

Heyas!

What do yas think?

It was an booked as an hour session at my home. I turned over 25 photos in 3 sets. I promissd 10 photos on booking.

Long story short;
one of them got sick twice. First at 15 minutes on my 10’paper BG roll. Again at 45 minutes in where we ended the session. Never know what to expect do you?

They left early but I sill delivered more than promised so I am happy with that aspect.

Ive been doing events as a Chef for over 20 years and I think this has readied me in the area of people skills. Customer service is what I strive to provide besides photos.

I handed the photos over in 3 days because Mom wanted them for Xmas.

CnC is appreciated.

Have a Happy Festivus and Merry Christmas.


OG

 

[tirediron]

Yuck... better you than me! I haven't had that one happen yet. Processing & exposure-wise the image is fine, but to be honest, their expressions leave me feeling rather ambivalent. One child is looking away and both look like they'd rather be anywhere but where they are.

 

[OGsPhotography]

Well, the one was recently puking and ready to puke again haha so there is that!

@tirediron I think your absolutely right though the expression is not proper and as Xmas photo especially not.

Im glad the processing and exposure are there!

Heres another expression; the whole family on the paper BG, which is just about ready to be haha

 

[Derrel]

I am guessing that the girl in the green dress is the one who vomited? In the first shot, she looks un-well to me. The first shot has split eye direction, which is not good. The family group shot has unified eye direction, which is always more-appealing. I think the family group shot will look better with a little bit cropped off of both sides.

 

[smoke665]

Long story short;
one of them got sick twice. First at 15 minutes on my 10’paper BG roll. Again at 45 minutes in where we ended the session. Never know what to expect do you?

I know what would have happened if I'd been the photographer..................there would have been a huge clean up when I upchucked everything I'd eaten for the last 2 days!!! Like some apparition out of the Exorcist Dirty diapers never bothered me, but let the vomit fly and my gag reflex instinctively lets go!

Processing looks really good.

 

[Dean_Gretsch]

I like the processing best in the first, but as stated before, the expressions/looking away is distracting. The vignette in the second is a tad overdone. The crop that Derrel mentioned only is needed on the right side to me. May I ask how you went from being a chef to a photographer? I bet you're right about the people skills! Good hustle getting them out to the family so fast.

 

[OGsPhotography]

Thanks @Derrel I think your right! I shouldnt have delivered the top photo perhaps.

There were more with eye focus and a few without eye contact... heres another photo with none.

@smoke665 Thanks! Im glad your ok with the pp. I banged it out so fast, an bour the same day, double check next day, deliver on third.

I hear ya about the puke, I could puke just thinking about it lol

The rush of it being my first session really made it different for me! I had no time to think about the situation, 4 of them in my small studio was crazy. I just tried to get the shots I could.

Believe in the magic.
OG

 

[smoke665]

There were more with eye focus and a few without eye contact... heres another photo with none.

Another nice one, though it would have been better had the container been rotated so "Believe in the magic" was showing complete. One of the problems I've also had is with little girl's hair, it goes every where at the slightest puff. That's why so many of my granddaughters have on a hat of some kind. One less thing I have to worry about LOL

 

[OGsPhotography]

@Dean_Gretsch Thanks! I certainly havent went from a Chef to photog. Im making about 500 meals tomorrow in fact! Prepping meat pies for xmas eve and slicing turkeys. Short bread. All the fun stuff this time of year for chefs.

Food photography certainly has played its part in my photog journey and I know all ( most) of the photogs in town from either paying them for photos, working with events with them or well, its a small town. I took a college night photog class as well.

Real long story short; my wife encourages me. This gig was my wifes coworkers grandkids, she ( Grandma) sees photos of my kids on FB and grandma booked me through my wife for her daughter over a series of text messages.

 

[OGsPhotography]

@smoke665 Do you think I should have edited the stray hairs?

I could have in Ps quite easily. Another step to the workflow however and Im trying to get them out in two days so theres a consideration.

 

[tirediron]

Your second image is much nicer; that definitely saves the day!

 

[smoke665]

@smoke665 Do you think I should have edited the stray hairs?

I could have in Ps quite easily. Another step to the workflow however and Im trying to get them out in two days so theres a consideration.

At this point, probably not. I keep handy a hair brush and a water bottle to lightly mist the hair for temporary hold and a can of Mimi's hair spray for the more difficult days. After your experience I might add a couple rolls of paper towels, some trash bags, a shovel (I'm not touching it), and a mop! LOL

 

[tirediron]

That third one may have no eye contact, but it's a winner for sure. I might be tempted to crop her right arm just above the elbow (the OOF hand appears a little 'claw-like' to me), but with that done, her expression is one that will grab Grandmother's heart!

 

[MSnowy]

I really don't know much about portrait photography but I like the first one. As a parent I feel this photo might catch the personalities of the kids, a shy one and a daydreamer.

 

[OGsPhotography]

Thanks for the replies and CC! Keep it coming.

This one goes to dace classes with my daughter. Irish dance.

I like the spinning one but perhaps eye contact wins?