This is the first photo shoot I have done (except for family).  I'm just a beginner, not a pro so don't go to hard on me .  How do these look?  Feel free to play!  Any advice welcome.

Here's another.  I can't put but one picture on at a time?

Last one.

the third one is really cute.  the last is out of focus.

the one you shot with all the christmas props needed a cleaner, more solid background.  props like that (and that many...way too many) are really meant to be used in an indoor, studio setting, or at least an outdoor "set" (front porch, dock, etc).  you have grass, a bush/tree, and brick wall competing for attention with the kids, and then all those props.

Thanks for the input!  I agree with having to many props.  The grandmother wanted the kids in the santa bag with the gifts and canes.  She also picked the place. That spot was the best I could find.  These were done for practice, that way I can learn what to do different.  I'm having problems with indoors photos because I have no lighting.  I will try to post a few that I'm going to take inside to get better at those too! 

Any input on getting a sharper picture?  I have a canon xti (just got) and a tamron 28-75mm 2.8.  I have been playing around with the setting but I haven't figured them out just yet.

Thanks in advance for any advise.

Joy

joy,

first things first.  simply having your subject in focus will make all the difference in the world.  after all, if your camera doesn't have them in focus, the only hope will be photoshop, and then you can't always get it looking right.

are you shooting auto or manual mode? 

Most of the time I use auto, but I am trying to learn the settings in manual mode.

I took some pictures of my moms friend at my house and they were terrible!  I was trying to use the manuel settings, but I had the lens on auto focus.  I set the camera to focus on the center point but they were all blurry.  I don't know what I did but they were not good!

I wish I could find someone in my area to help me learn the settings but I haven't found anyone yet.  So I'm trying to figure things out on my own.  And here of course!

there are oh so many merits to shooting in manual (or at least in AV - aperture priority - mode).  the lower the aperture, the shorter your depth of field.  with a high aperture number, more of the frame will be in focus. 

the center point focus method is fine.  most, if not all, require you to hold down halfway, and you generally get a beep to confirm you have a focus locked.  then, if you choose to, without letting off, you can move your frame around, but maintain the focus point you chose.

This picture is the first one that I used the center focus on but like I said it is terrible.  I think this was shot in the P mode.  I tried the AV setting too, but I just haven't figured it out.

This is the one I ended up using for some christmas cards.  (freebies)

 it looks like the area slightly behind her head is in focus, and not the lady

I put the center point on her but something went wrong. (It was the person behind the camera. HA HA!)

Does the card look bad?  Even for a freebie.  She does know that I am just learning.

You might think you are alone & learning the hard way, but honestly a big percentage of us on here have learned on our own as well. 

You asked how the card looked for a freebie.  I would flip sides - put her on the card right and the wording on the card left so she is facing in toward the card, rather than looking off the side.

Keep trying!

Joy - for the most part I think you did fine. The card looks good, also. I really like your third picture.

You are learning - and getting some great experience and for a first shoot I think this is great!

Nice expressions on the third one.  Especially with that many little ones.  I hate that the yellow flowers are right behind them.  My eyes head straight to it.  I agree with what's been said about bkgd's being too busy.  The last one looks good.  Maybe try brightening her eyes a little bit. 

Destinee

Thanks for all the input, and I will try the card with the picture on the other side.

I want to take pictures of my kids with the trees and presents but with a background.  We have an office with huge windows all the way across the front, so I should be able to get plenty of light (hopefully).  My question is, what color background will work best since I don't have any lighting?  I only have make shift backgrounds but if I use white can I make a background in photoshop?  I'm not a bad artist, should I paint one instead?

Sorry I have so many questions.  Just eager to learn!