One of the justifications I came up with for purchasing a better camera was so I would never again have to suffer the horrors of having to take my children to JCPenny to be photographed this time of year.
I took them to JCPenny because for about $20 I could get two 8x10s, a couple 5x7s and a whole raft of other pictures to hand out at Christmas time. Steve’s mom always talked about how wonderful the pictures were, how great JCPenny was, and so forth. They try to get them to do these un-natural poses that kids just refuse to do and, even if you do get a decent smile, nobody looks like they’re comfortable, much less having fun.
My favorite photographer, Erica, on the other hand, may use a set, but she just shoots a bunch of candid pictures. Every time we went to her, she’d take a bunch of pictures and I’d think she wasn’t getting anything because my kids were hardly smiling but she managed to catch some of the greatest shots. That is, for about $20 for one 5×7. Totally not in our budget.
Now I know that my pictures are not yet anywhere near the caliber of Erica, but…
Would you hang these pictures on your wall?
Are they at least as good as or better than JCPenny?
Actually, the real plan is to dress up the boys in the Cobblestone Pullovers I made them, complete with coordinating corduroys and turtlenecks, and take pictures of them to be used for Christmas gifts and Christmas cards. I still need to do that.
But really, am I even in the neighborhood of good enough? Obviously these are not posed studio portraits. The cropping is not perfect (I over-cropped in the actual picture so I can’t fix the crop at the bottom). But I like them. I think they’re at least as good as what I got from JCPenny. Am I delusional?
And no, these have not been Photoshopped. Joey has a little owie on his nose I need to fix, and I probably need to adjust the levels too. I really am going to learn basic techniques in Photoshop before I do this year’s calendar (an annual tradition that everyone raves about every time I see them throughout the year).
I know my pictures are much better this year. I know they will be even better next year. The question is, am I too impressed with my current skills? Do I need to make an appointment at JCPenny? [shudder]
Lay it on…
Okay, I know…I’m commenting on my own post. But if JCPenny gave me a sheet of photos with these on it, the top one is the one I would buy for everyone (usually I get one choice) and the bottom one is an alternate I would buy just for myself (they’ll print out a sheet or two of a different post which you select as other favorites after the sitting) and sell them to you for $4.95. I know. I’m a sucker…
Okay, I’m commenting on my own blog again. I showed Steve the pictures and he wants a copy of the second one framed on his desk at work. Huh!
They are both really, really nice. I, too, am not a fan of studio portraits, and the natural setting of these is great. I see you realize that you chopped off his heel, but a year ago I never would have noticed that, so I think for display purposed that’s no big deal. You definitely got down on his level and the photos are not from above, and that’s awesome. The color seems a bit off to me. Not badly, just a little cool. A bluish color cast to his skin, probably because of his outfit and surroundings because he’s such a fair-skinned little guy. The lighting is excellent (cloudy day?) with no harsh shadows. And the subject, of course, is adorable.
I find, and you may, too, as your kids grow, that I have a horrible time getting photos of my own children. Photographer’s Child Syndrome
They hate it! I have a friend who is a pro photog, and he does my kids for me and I edit and order prints. I do the same for him on occasion, although his daughter doesn’t share my boys’ aversion to the camera.
So, overall, while I think they could benefit from a tiny bit of photoshopping and obviously less cropping, these are probably wall-worthy. Most definitely desk frame or Christmas card worthy!
Me again. I just re-read your post. NO! Do not go to JC Penney! These are MUCH better than they would do! You are not delusional.
I haven’t been back to Penney’s, Olan Mills, or WalMart since I purchased my camera
Have you ever visited I Love Photography.com? (www.ilp.com). It’s a forum for children’s portrait photographers. You have to make an introductory post to be able to view posts, but after that there’s not obligation to post at all. I’ve been lurking there for almost a year, and I’ve learned tons just from looking at the photos posted and reading the critiques.
Definitely agree with you on homestyle vs. Penny’s. I’d have you come do mine but I think you might need too much for mileage! Guess I’ll have to do my own or ask a local cousin that does her kids all the time and photoshops them really good.