Fitness Portrait.

If you're doing formal pictures I guess I wonder why there was a person standing next to her in the picture.

In this picture her face is too covered by her hair on the right and by the shadow of her hair on the left. This doesn't look so much like a formal picture, more of a casual snap. Lighting position is a little odd. I would think you would light her more from the front.

It was originally a shot of two and then she asked that he be taken out. I'm only just starting this process and realize that I have to be more assertive in setting up the pics.

Good job at removing/cleaning up the background, But the pose is a little awkward. Her arm is brighter than her face, and her face is really hidden by her hair and the weight is blocking part of her head. If it was possible - I'd maybe plan out a reshoot and let you have full control when and where the photoshoot will take place.

I thought the weight was resting on her head at first glance....

If you reshoot you may want to keep an eye on her clothing and have her smooth it out as needed.

Geez seems a little much to ask you to photograph them and then tell you to remove people from the frame!

Yes, it was not well planned. I brought lights, umbrellas etc and ended up just opening a garage door for some natural light. You couldn't have asked for a worse situation, high ceiling mounted tungsten lights and a huge green astro turf carpet. Oh well live and learn.
I went back to shoot a yoga class for the same person and they turned all the lights off.

I guess I just dont get why thats the worst situation ever. You brought lights so over power the tungsten lights? Take the subjects outside? Turn off the lights? You gotta make it work bro

Sorry dude but I dont know how smugmug works with clients but dont post images with the subjects before and after retouching. You didnt give them the link you posted right?

As I said, I'm very new dealing with people and not just landscapes and wildlife. This was an excercise in working with a model who really in the end didn't know what she wanted and I hadn't the foresight to narrow it down. I did give her the complete file of pictures and then show what I was able to do in PP. I'm a while away from doing this for money, right now the idea is to get some practise in, listen to the critics and move forward.