Had a shoot with my sister in law's one year old the other day - I don't get to do many children's portraits and she's comfortable around me so it's always fun.
Statitica - I actually remembered just at the end of the shoot that what worked for another kid around her age was something similar to an Icelight. Hold it right above the lens and kid's eyes are drawn to it like moths. Like I said though, remembered it a bit too late.
Nicely done. I suspect you've scored points with your in-law. Just a few nitpicks: (1) shallow DoF leaves only one eye in focus, with the other out of focus. (3,4) highlights a little hot.
