Honestly, it looks really staged. Just IMO. I think you probably could adjust the contrast.

have to agree with you Jawsh.............sorry author...

how does this look staged??? you can't "stage" a baby you humor them till you get the right shot... someone could of made a random noise or called his name and he'd look and make a face like that... I think it's a good job .

although I will add... if this is a random "off guard" shot.. who the heck leaves their baby in a patio Chair .....

O My God, you people know so less about the babies. Noone can stage them they are so moody. I don't have permission to add other snaps of her with the same expression. She has that strange expression most oftenly for the camera flash. and for "who leaves their baby in a patio Chair ....." yes should I show the uncroped original pic. when she was playing one of the elders holding the chair. Honestly it is not staged, a very natural quick expression. believe it or not! Photographers should be more imaginative each and everything is not worth telling.

so the shot was staged then, you planned it!

like the author said you cannot stage babies.. why do you think modeling companies and photographers typically don't use babies between 8months an 2 .. they don't have the comprehension to stay where they are told or to look at the camera or to hold a specific pose I mean they can't even stay still for a picture .. taking a perfect picture of a baby is next to impossible and when it happens it is usually by accident.. sooo I am sure this is not staged

to much extra in the background focus more on the subject

I just planned to take a shot but I didn't guide the baby to make face like that.Huh!