Different from my usual subjects..

My cousin. I've not really done much Portrait photography although I want to concentrate on this in the next few months and especially Fashion Photography. Comments and tips much appreciated.

Well that is a jolly good start, what lovely eyes. Would just carefully remove the stray hair on the forehead and any of the small blemishes we all have. Having said that if it is a child then I like to see them un-touched but would still move the hair.

Composition wise I think I would have removed the bows from the hair they are distracting from a beautiful face. Mind you others will say they set the whole thing off so it is a matter of taste and you should shoot to suit yourself and your sitter.

Nice one Polo

Lovely relaxed portrait Polo, good catchlights, and she has a sweet smile xx

Its coming across as sightly underexposed and lacking contrast - See all the greys and blacks? - You havnt any highlights in the subject

Iv noticed you put the light source (window) behind her - I feel you should have brought it around to the side front - it would have given you a gorgeous light and wouldnt have given you that blow out on her hair and bow I think it may have lifted her eyes too (dark eyes can be sooo difficult)

Your DoF is gorgeous, but the really bright background (againts the under-exposed subject) takes away (imo) from the shot and i tend to get drawn towards it more..

The composition is lovley though, but a side not, its too tight for my personal liking - there is no breathing room. Try to think about putting the picture in a deep set frame - In this case you would loose about 2cms around the crop. Phototgraphy is similar to art in many ways, but not in the high school cliche of "filling the page" - Space can be a good thing

Her pose is relaxed and natural which is exactly what you want from child portraiture and doesnt feel like its been forced in any way - However, the stray hairs are something to take note of in the future.

Overall a great try with a few "rookie" mistakes! You certainly seem to have a good eye for this type of photography and learning to use and take advantage of your surroundings will bring you on in leaps and bounds....Well done!

Thanks guys. I'l put those tips to use next time I see my cousins, very helpful. I have a habit for underexposing my photos, strangely have a similar problem when drawing also. I agree about the background, its quite distracting. With the highlights/lack of- again a bad habit I have when I adjust my images in PS (I have no idea why I do this?!) Again thanks loads for the comments.

I completely agree with the excellent advice that Sam's given you, and Jackie too - and just wanted to add that I really think it's lovely - well done.

xx