I sincerely appreciate your feedback and direction. I am already learning to recognize some areas of improvement just from reading your comments and observations. Thank you for sharing your opinions.

Hello Michelle; I think you are new here so a warm welcome.
The second one turned out as one would expect espacially as the lighting was not that easy as can be seen by the burned out part on the forehead and face. By shifting his position you probably could have avoided this. Harsh light on the face like this is very difficult to deal with no matter how good your camera is.
Also on this one it would improve matters if the background was a bit blurred by opening up the lens more (smaller f number). The other I like too because of the way you went in close and filled the frame.
You got very nice expressions on all three boys.

Thank you for the welcome. I appreciate your feedback. I think I just learned that without a good title or if the pictures have too many "bad points" I may not get many comments :confused:
I won't let it discourage me.

Hi and Welcome Michelle. You might also try a flash fill if you have no choice but to shoot in harsh lighting.

What you have here is great placement in the frame for all 3 images.

It is sort of a shame that in each image you have cut the top of their head off. If it was in just one or two then it might seem like an artistic choice (and it actually works in each instance) but since it is in all three to me it doesn't look right as a set.

Great expressions on their faces (did you bribe them with pie?).

The last image is softer than the first 2, is could be camera movement or the focus is off just a bit. I really like the highlights in the eyes in this one.

The tree line in the middle image really appeals to me. Yes the light was tough but I think you got enough of it here to make things work.

I am not sure about the technical merits of the first image but I love the personality you captured here. This is by far the best just because of the look in his face. Again, where you placed him in the frame is great.

You a professional or something?

A professional? surely you jest....

If there was a sub beginner category that is where I would be. I am just starting to read books and web sites in hopes of learning how to make my images more deliberate and less of a "lucky shot."
This is why I find the most honest and direct feedback crucial. I don't even know what I don't know.
Thanks for the comments. I am open to any and all of them.

I don't worry so much about the chopped head usually, just try it at an eye level with the model angle. It will look just a touch more natural