I joined the clickinmoms forum.

It calls itself “a vibrant resource for artist, hobbyists and professional photographers.”

It is. I love it.

I glean ideas and vast amount of advice from the threads. I want to work with this one for a while:

“…Try shooting just in the light of the window. Put the actual window out of frame.

Turn all the lights off in the room and close the door. Expose for the light on their face.

Place your subject where the light falls on the floor. Have them look out the window.

Get the catchlights in their eyes. Have them turn, get those deep, dramatic shadows across their face…” —Kate T. Parker

Here is my first attempt:

I realize she was neither looking out the window nor sitting where the light falls on the floor.

Now, to once more coerce my friends into sitting for me..