Shoot in Manual and keep looking at the camera after you shoot the image. There isn't a trick. Every lighting scenario is different. If you have proper exposure than a curves adjustment is all you will need for a clean looking photo. Most actions are mostly curves adjustments. Do not compare your self to others as art is in the be holder. Instead focus on learning as much as you can to make your work stronger and better. Dont ever settle. Photography is about constant learning. Even the "greats" still are learning.

Nope. I pay full price for mine from Roses and ruffles

I dont use actions to get the creamy skin. Proper exposure in camera will give you the creamy skin. Most newborn editing is a basic curves adjustment. Blemish and flaky skin removal and smooth the skin slightly.

What editing software do you use now?

I have both but use PS mostly. I use LR most for organizing.
I would recommend learning PS. It has more you can use. Lightroom is pretty easy to pick up though.

I use Photoshop. My workflow for editing is all over the place. But most of the POP is just a curves adjustment.

Just driving around.

LOL ... take your own advise...

Ha! I have days like that..

I have been there! But I needed money to pay my bills so I raised it anyway. I had more clients last year than I really could handle. So once again I raised them this year... and I will look how busy I am in 6m and see if I want to raise again. I look at others work still and think I am not their also. Its in our nature to compare ourselves to others. But what one person does isn't necessarily what you should do. Photography is art. Everyone sees it differently. Who is to say what is right or wrong when it comes to taking a photo?
Processing it you just have to follow basic rules.

BTW... You should really consider uping your session fee and CD pricing ;)

Either keep playing in photoshop on your own or invest in an editing class.
I know Crave photography offerings online mentoring for editing.

I just looked at your most recent work. Honestly you have good composition and lighting. It more your editing techniques that need work. You tones are often very blue/cyan.

I dont offer any kind of editing mentoring. As I feel everyone needs to find there own style when it comes to editing.

I haven't offered mentoring to photographers before other than a few friends. I have mostly done mentoring for moms that want to learn to shoot manual and take better photos of their kids.

What are you wanting to learn would be the best question for you. Do you know how to shoot manual? Do you know how to find the light when shooting? Composition... ect.

Depends on the type of session and how local you are.

Are you talking about your SOOC or Edited images looking like this?

I choose canon because that is what I used when I shot film. I find canon personally more user friendly. Plus my lens from my film were compatiable with my DSLR. Where Nikon didn't have that capability. I would recommend going to the store and trying out both and see what suits you better.

Both cameras are great.. but Canon is my personal choice

I have a speedlight I never use. I can have the opiton to teach myself OCF but I haven't.
I do own a strobe kit that I only use when I dont have enough natural light to shoot with.
You can get a similar result I am sure with OCF. I just couldn't tell you how since I am not sure.

you can do OCF yes. I have never really tried it. But I know some amazing photographer that do. Ali Hohn is amazing at OCF ... http://www.rockthatocf.com/

I use natural light as much as I can. I have a strobe kit for if I dont have enough light. Dont waste your money on continuous lights. Thats just an expensive lamp.