[Garth Herrick]

Jean:

What is really appealing to me about the original snapshot of Noah from a year ago is the soft and diffused lighting that works so well with a young child's face. The hues of the skin tones are where they should be; fresh clean unadulterated colors. I would choose this photo of all you presented.

The potential problems I see with the new batch are partly lighting issues. They are all back-lit, compromising his cute face in an obscure dull shadow. A couple of them have strong raking sunlight in a direction that does not particularly flatter his face. To paint this, you will be a slave to the photographic color, and not the clean natural skin tones of a year ago. I would strongly recommend reshooting him on an overcast day, or when the daylight is diffused like your first shot.

Of the poses in your three new shots, I like the last one best by the water, because it is the most stable pose. If he were to sit for you this is the kind of pose he could hold the best. Even though you are working from a photograph, I think this priority still holds true. He will look better hanging on a wall in a pose he could truly hold for a sitting.

See if you can get more pictures. It will be good practice, and he seems a willing model. You will have an easier time with the demo portrait too.

Good luck!