No "oomph"...visually "busy". The expression isn't fresh...perhaps she'd been helping out for awhile? Even the pose seems stagnent. As a children's photographer, the best thing I found is to have them "jump" into position and take the photo fast. Granted...this is can be extremely difficult when working for youngsters. You kind of have to work around THEM and end up with lots of outtakes. Also, for such a geometrical shape for her body to be in, her hair over one shoulder really throws off the symmetry. Too much going on in terms of color, pattern/text, shape, sucker in hand, cat, unbalanced hair. Pick one concept and stick with it. Great idea...just needs fine tuned. -5-
This is kind of bizarre to me. Without the cat, it's an ok image - the pose feels a little forced, the light is a trifle harsh, and the crop is a little tight on the left, but it's ok. Having the cat in there is just very distracting - it's unnecessary, and it's not in a flattering or 'accessorizing' place. Had she been holding the cat, or petting the cat, or even shooing him off the set, I would have been ok with it. As it is, (and I know this isn't a professional shoot) it gives the appearance of not being able to control the conditions you're photographing in. (And I am aware that cats are a law unto themselves.) I also think (call me a prude if you wish) that having the cat peeping out from under her skirt is going to result in a lot of off color and inappropriate jokes (not that I expect any of them will make it into your comments, but they will be made). Not something you necessarily want or indeed that you probably even thought about. Just my two cents, but it is something you may wish to consider in later shoots.
IMHO the cat does nothing for the composition except to add an unneeded element. Great pose. A bit harshly lit which takes away from the depth of your model. Makes her look flat. Pull her away from the background a touch and move main lights more to the side would help. Good light on the background, but because model is so close to it you have uneven white background...
TC
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