excitementby
dexter51Comment: This image is very 'snapshotty' and as such isn't likely to score very high. With that said, let me say that the subject is very cute and very photogenic.
With this sort of image, the best thing would be to get a little lower to the ground so that the camera is just about at the high level of the subject, this can make the subject more 'equal' with viewer.
The flash on the camera created the shadow behind the subject's head and around the right foot. This can detract from the overall presentation of the image, at least in terms of a more 'artful' approach to photography.
The next step would be to bring the subject more fully into the frame zooming in or moving closer to capture more of the face and less of everything else around and behind the subject. This can provide a better shot of the eyes with that 'twinkle' of the lighting catching in the subjects eyes.
Finally, the location of the subject in relation to everything around the subject is a bit distracting to the overall image. Unfortunately, with this image, it isn't easy to correct.
In this situation, what I would do is place the subject in front of the Christmas Tree. (I have to assume that one was present, based upon the Merry Christmass wrapping paper.) She should be posed, just as she is and the lighting should be mostly ambient, like from an open window with the flash turned off.
I have a few examples of portrait type shots currently on the frontpage of my portfolio, one is a decent example of what I am talking about titled "Portrait of a Lady", the other one "A Portrait" is an example of not paying attention to the background, in that one the frame of the picture behind the subject shouldn't appear to be "growing" out of the back of the skull of the subject.
Anyway, I hope that I have been helpful and that others have been helpful as well. Many of us are here to help eachother learn and grow into better photographers, even though sometimes the critiques/comments might seem 'mean'.
Keep it up and I hope to see much more of your work!