Ok this is comment number 2 tonight, but who is keeping score? You have a great spot and set up here but i think you are shooting at the wrong time of day. The sun seems very harsh on mom and the foilage. If there was a way to shade everyone then use some fill flash, gold reflector on the faces, and a warming filter, I think this would really have a lot of punch to it. By the way, you are doing good, keep up the good work!
Hi Kelly - I like your composition on this photo - very natural - very intimate between mother and son (?) - Unfortunately I think you had your camera on autofocus which has left the little guy slightly blurry and the leaves in the background in perfect focus... I would also suggest having not cut off the women's elbow. It is great to use natural light like you did - however, it perhaps is a little too harsh on the women's face and on the young fella's head- you can see a definite ridge in his haircut which distracts looking at the shot a bit. However, you've got a great eye - keep up the good work!
Hey Kelly this is much more interesting. New pose new viewpoint. However, technically the photo is no good. The leaves behind the girl are in focus but the little boy is fuzzy. My guess is that he was moving when you shot or your camera was out of focus. This is a no no for portraiture. Also there is just a bit of light missing from the faces. You might try a fill flash or a reflector to erase the shadows. Keep working on your camera angle, up, down, side to side.
I dig this pose, too. The light coming through the trees makes for a nice background, too. I hate to agree with someone else, but if the camera were a tad lower, to include the elbow, and slightly less top space, this picture would really be perfect. Well done!
Very interesting pose. The light in the face of the woman is a bit harsh in spots, but with this type of lighting that is to be expected. the one nit pick i have is the cut off elbow. But that may just be me. :-)