Some help please?

Travis, we live in a perfect world.   

Well, You could try a blend of Liquify, and use Cloan in the "Lighten Mode" which will rid of the very slight shadows or dark/the openings.

The patch tool may do a lot with tweaking after.

I would also color correct, because of the grass, you need to punch pink or Magenta.
Remember the Filter in the film days for grass.?

I know you know this, however, a reminder, have them sitting tall, by arching their back, in this case as we see, she's slouching or slumped.

Anyhow, nice work and cool logo BTW

Thanks for your replies.  The second image is the product of some Liquify and some cloning, although I didn't think to use the clone tool in the Lighten Mode.  I will try to work with that some more.  Also, I hadn't thought of the Patch tool, so I'll give that a shot and see how that works for me.  As for the color, I thought I had it pretty good.  I always shoot a Gretag color correcting card in every lighting situation and use that for my initial color settings when converting my RAW images.  The color should have been corrected to neutral with it, but I'll try some other minor tweaks and see if it can be a little better.  Thanks for the heads up on that.  I had heard of the filters, but I've honestly never used one, even when I was using film.

Thanks for the compliment on the logo.  I had an initial idea, but Rob W. helped me a ton to finalize the design.  I have to give a lot of credit to him and the time he was willing to put in to helping me get it the way it is.

As for what I could have done; I wish I'd done more.  Simply pulling the bottom of the shirt down some could have helped soooo much.  Straightening her posture as Mike said also would have made a huge difference.  I agree about the clothing, and I do a consult and warn against this sort of thing, but I also haven't gotten so stubborn as to require certain clothing choices either.  Oh well, I just know I could have and should have done better with what I was given and that really makes me mad at myself.  I know we don't live in a perfect world, but I once heard a photographer say that portrait photographers need to realize that you can affect a person's self-confidence with their photos.  This is something that has stuck with me and I take very seriously, so it's upsetting to me when I make silly mistakes.  I know you guys all work to a very high standard as well, I'm not trying to put anyone down; I just think it's important to do all we can.  I messed up, and now I'm trying to recover as best as possible.  Thanks for your advice and suggestions, I'll see what comes of it.

Travis

BTW, here's my favorite of this portion of the shoot...

Thanks, Mike.  I would really like to specialize in compositions more like this one.  The problem is, this type of image isn't really made for small prints (yes, 8X10's are small).  You really need to print this at least 16X20 for the impact it is intended for.  I have not yet been able to attract clients willing to pay for prints this large... which leaves me focusing on images where the subject is larger and can more readily be printed small and show detail and expression.  I am trying to come up with ideas on how to attract a different clientele, but I haven't figured it out yet.

Travis

I've also heard of using Lightroom or Bridge to do presentation proofing with your clients.  Have white foam core cut to all the different print sizes you offer, and when a client asks for an 8X10, zoom the image on the projector screen down until it matches the 8X10 and ask, "Is that the size you want?"  Although I'm sure this is effective, it would also be belittling and I don't have the stomach for it.  I like your idea much better.  Ultimately, I'd just like to have the people calling me already poised to be purchasing large prints.  I think if I ever figure out how to truly target my market properly I will have the type of clients I want and I won't have to resort to hard-sell tactics.  Who knows?  I'm really not very good at marketing and more specifically targeting my desired market, and the one person I thought could help me is now so upset at me that he won't talk with me at all anymore.  I made the mistake of disagreeing with him a time or two and apparently our friendship wasn't strong enough for disagreement of opinions.  Oh well, I guess; that's a whole different story.  I'll figure it out, it'll just take some time.

Again, I like your idea, I'd just be much more comfortable with having people come to me and tell me they want a large wall-print over their mantle in their formal living room.  Then be willing to pay me enough that I could spend the time travelling and viewing their home, the location of the print, and then designing and preparing an image specifically for them and that particular location in their home.  Framing and all, the whole works.  That's my goal and my dream and the reason I started portrait photography to begin with.  I am so tired of people calling and asking me if I'll price compete with Wal-Mart and Kiddie Kandids.  I'm very stuck up, I know... but those are my goals, nonetheless.

Thanks for listening to my rant (I'm sorry for this little tangent),
Travis

I tried, I pushed and pulled and cloned and patched.

This is the best I could do...

[shrug]

Thanks for the comments everyone.  I love your idea Bob .  Thanks for the encouragement Mike.

Travis

Do tell... it looks pretty good.

Travis