I think I might be getting it...

Yesterday I took Hannah to the park (because Emily didn't want to be a model) and practiced taking pictures. I wanted to see how to go about finding "spots" for the pictures and work on my focusing and exposure (along with composition). This is the first time I have come away from a "shoot" feeling like I had pictures worthy of purhcase...if that makes sense. Like, if I was taking these pictures for a stranger who was paying me, I think I actually took some that I would feel were worthy of purchasing. Like this one (with no editing yet)

and this one (with some editing)

(different version with no editing...)

or this one

(different versions...)

And I even really like this one (with no editing)

And this backlighting..

And then I have a TON that I could use if I knew how to really edit a picture...

(This would make a great spot for a group shot)

I also learned alot from this "session" and have started keeping a notebook on the things I have learned like...watch out for dappled light (various shades across the subject). I knew about it, and tried to avoid it, but I missed it here and there...

When I take an off-center shot, make sure the direction of their gaze is going in the right direction (she shouldn't be looking out of the picture like that)

And, I need to make sure that "things" are not growing out of people's heads.

I also learned that people need advice on how to pose. Hannah took a lot of coaxing and positioning, and at first, I just expected her to do "things." I had to start offering some suggestions.

I learned that clothing matters. She looked okay for her environment, but the pictures could have been even better if she had on a rockin' outfit! The colors are what matter more than anything...

I also experimented with my diffuser and I brought a chair to have her sit in. This made me step out of my comfort zone because I was concerned about what the other people at the park would think, but I did it any way.

I thought I would be lucky if I came away with a few I liked, but my list is very long (even more than what I shared here), and very few were out of focus. This makes me sooooo excited. I can see my own growth and I can feel my confidence rise. I'm still not "there" yet, but with each practice session I come away a little bit stronger.