Portrait Photographs

Two shots of my daughters that I took thinking I would use the photos as reference for future paintings. But I've decided that I like them just as photographs. 

My latest portrait

28 x 26 inches, oil on canvas.

I'd love to turn this into a painting

(photo credit: Madeleine Di Gangi)

What type of photo makes a great painting?

I am thinking about using this photo for a portrait of my daughter.  It has everything I like in a study for a painting - great natural light, a relaxed but still serious pose, good colour and an appealing expression. Not to mention a beautiful background (fabulous La Jolla, California)