New here, critiquing needed!

[KE Portraits]

New here to the forums, I am looking for some of the great advice and feedback that I have seen everyone give. I am in the process of forming a portrait photography side business and would love some CC from anyone who is willing. Here are some of my portraits:

1.

2.

 

[reznap]

Welcome to the forum.
Wow... small images.

Nice fill flash in #2, it's a bit tight on the sides, maybe take a step back.

#1 is a little tight on top, cut into his head a bit..

You have a D5000, kit lens.. any speedlights or was #2 done with onboard?

 

[JeffieLove]

Is it just me or does mom's face in #2 look like it is plastic?

 

[KE Portraits]

Thanks so much for the welcome! I look forward to being a part of this great community, everybody seems so helpful!

I didn't think about the image sizes when I posted these to Photobucket, I will make them larger when I upload next time.

Actually both of these photos were taken with natural light only, no flash.

Thanks for the feedback, I see what you mean about the cropping on both of the photos.

 

[KE Portraits]

Is it just me or does mom's face in #2 look like it is plastic?

HA it is funny you notice that! She has the most perfectly smooth skin ever, I didn't do any retouching to her. Is that a bad thing? lol

 

[Derrel]

THe head heights in the family portrait are not well-spaced on the mother and father. You've succeeded in making the dad look short, and making the m,other look tall. The spacing between the eyes on the adults need to be greater. The father's arm is also awkwardly cropped off at the edge of the frame. There are posing guidelines for that exact shot, and most people will expect that you understand how to pose a MW+1C (man and wife with 1 child) and make them all look good.

 

[KE Portraits]

Derrel,
Thanks for the advice. I am fairly new to portrait photography. Could you point to somewhere I may find more info on guidelines for portraits?

 

[Aye-non Oh-non Imus]

Derrel nailed the family portrait.

#1 has the typical problem of the hairline melting into the background without any separation. Another light source is needed to accomplish this IMO. There is not enough definition in the shadow side IMO. His left ear and such as well as the back of his left hand has gone completely to black. The camera left side is a bit hot for my taste and his ring is audacious.

However, nice capture of his cheekiness.

 

[LarryD]

For the family, you should compose so the gentleman is raised up (or the lady and lad are down lower, and then you have some hight perspective for child, mother, and father...even if Dad is sitting down..

Also, you have a bunch of tree limbs growing out of dad's head... move them around a bit...........