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Kim,
Zooming in is fine, if your camera's zoom won't let you get as close as you want just move the camera closer. Be carfull that you don't change your perspective. If your camera height, on your full shot, is slightly below the face and then you move the camera in close you may find yourself shooting up at the face which will give you a different perspective. If you are going to move the camera in and out it may be best to start out with the camera at the same height as the subjects nose.
On any given pose I would take 4-5 shots of the full pose and then move the camera and take 4-5 close ups.
Even an inexpensive camera will take clear pictures and the most expensive will take blurry ones. You have to impress on these kids that they must be very still. Both camera and subject must be very still. You were probably shooting at a very low speed because of the lack of available light. You should be using 400 asa speed film for these conditions. Taking at least 4-5 shoots of each pose will up your chances.
If you are manually focusing I find that if you ask your subject to hold a pencil vertically at a point near the closest eye it makes focusing a little easier.
When taking pictures of kids I find that you should do as much planning as you can before you ask them to pose. Their expressions are freshest early in the game.
As far as better windows, remember the light doesn't know what it's coming through. It could be the front door or the barn door. I could even be a porch during certain times of the day. Although I would keep searching until my indoor possibilities were exhausted.
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Mike McCarty
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