Next model, another niece
 

I am so fortunate to have over twenty nieces and nephews (now that many of them are getting married the numbers are growing!). and to me they are all beautiful. This is Sarah, she herself is an artist, and very talented. It has taken me two years to get her to do a photo shoot for me. The camera LOVES her. Please, help me choose!! The last pic is Sarah with my sister. I wish it were not blurry. I may do a drawing of this one, call it Bluebird of Happiness!!

Patricia,
I love that last picture! Yes, you must do something with that one.
As far as the first two, I'll just share my impressions about them. The first one is bolder and has a very contemporary feel to it. The second feels more subdued, classical. I like the light in the second one better because there seems to be a wider variance of light to shadow. I was looking at this book that Phaidon put out called "500 Self-portraits" and there are so many ideas for composition and style. Is it possible to think about combining the two photos and doing a montage? I don't know what kind of art she does, but possibly letting her style of art inspire your choice of photo?

More of Sarah
 

A few more...
The last one is the image my sisters wanted me to use for a portrait, too bad the lighting is wrong it is a great image of her! Unfortunately I have to get my sis to sit for me again, as I lighted her wrong and took pics at bad angle. Still so much to learn!!!

Hi Brenda,
Thanks for looking. I can't decide between one and two. I think I like the color in one better and I too, think it has a contemporary feel which is more in line with Sarah. But I do love the second one, for the same reasons you mentioned, better lighting and classic. I may just have to do all of them! I will have to check out the book you mentioned. Sounds great!

Pat,
I would go for something like this.
Allan

Allan,
You are a wiz with Photoshop arent you!! Thanks for doing that for me. I was not sure what I was going to do for the background, but this is a good idea. I know I am going to keep it simple because I am just too new to all of this to put in a difficult background, at this stage!

Hi Pat, hope you don't mind my 2 cents. I also like the contemporary feel of the first one. I would soften the bottom eyelashes tho, not the strong separated look that it has. I would'nt lighten them, as she has made them part of her persona, but kinda smudge them together, but keep the contrast.

The second does'nt feel like her (i'm just reading into it, not like I know her), it feels as if she's posing to how she thinks YOU want her to pose, not being herself.

If the purpose is to do a portrait of her, not just a face, I'd avoid that one, but then again, you know her more than me! The stars on her chest would have been a nice addition to the composition working together with the piercings. Move up the middle star or drop her blouse a bit so they're not sharing the same line. Here's an example of a Photo-"chopped" image, faded off towrds the bottom. Hope it helps.

I was hoping to solicite your help, Jimmie, by enticing you with tattoos! I like your suggestion and may go with that. Here is another pic I really like of her, I would do this as a drawing, probably not a painting yet. But I this this shot is REALLY Sarah!! I was afraid the face was not showing good value range though. What do you think?

The second and third ones I was drawn to, really reflecting her attitude also, but I don't like the chair, maybe just suggest it with a few lines???

Oh, and none of these backgrounds are intentional, I was trying to control the light, knowing my background would be blank in drawings and simple in paintings.

I like the shot, I don't like the hands. The lighting looks difficult, but your original must look better. I really like the second one. I would have liked to see the left arm come up so both hands are visible. My favorite of the bunch so far.

Pat,

I like photo number one, because it will allow you to really show her piercing. As the shot gets farther away, the piercing won't stand out and won't read as well once painted.