Photography class

So today I took a photography class and overall...I'm still super confused!  I would love to have learned how (in one day) to take these stunning photos I see on blogs and facebook everywhere but alas, that did not happen.  I did learn some things like how to take neat pictures of still things like flowers and landscapes, but when I got home I practiced on Max and it appears I have learned nada in the portrait category.  I really would like to get into this so I need more classes, and reading the owners manual on my camera might help too.  If Maxsen suddenly turns into a flower then we're good, but until then I shall practice, practice, practice.  Here are a few shots from today