Before & After

I've been sitting at this computer for a better part of two days in an effort to complete the family portraits I took on Sunday night.  I'm slowly gaining more confidence in my own ability [as long as I don't look at any professional photographer pages...that just helps new found confidence plummet rapidly], and am even adventuring into new territory in my editing process.  I thought it might be fun to show a few before and after shots from this past shoot, and a before and after of a friend's [who is a professional photographer, and who's page I stay away from diligently].

Straight off of camera [SOOC]

Edited to remove brother, touched up and brightened.

Already a cute shot SOOC

But looks even better when it's been touched up!

Just a little bit of work, and even some of the worst photos can look pretty decent.  I still have tons to learn, but I have plenty of willing victims to help me figure it out.  Now if I could just get someone to sit down and help me understand Photoshop Elements...

Be on the look out this year!  I have two more family shoots in the upcoming month, a couple birthday parties, and even a labor & deliver to look forward to at the end of the year :).  I'm also hoping to become an assistant for a more established photographer so I can learn better tricks of the trade, although I am still firm in my decision to never become a photographer as a career.  I enjoy having this hobby, but I think that's all it will ever be.