Suggestions on how to improve these 2 family portraits?

[PEC]

I am very new to this portrait shooting, however, the advent of a new grandson has inspired me to branch out.

Looking for ways to improve...

Shot with D700 28-70 Manual with one flash (CTO) in a 24" softbox.

Limited location for camera and weather was not good so we had to move very fast to keep the baby warm.

Should i have moved the light closer to the lens axis for more even lighting or does the depth help?

Other suggestions? I have thick skin - the kids loved it, which is a key thing for me. Although I think it could've been much better.

[TxTowman]

I like them as they are. JMHO.

[BRosePhoto]

They look good and they are happy with the photos so good work.

My only suggestions would be maybe a little fill flash or reflector on the 2nd one, but that is really just preference. On the 1st one, I would suggest turning them to face the opposite direction and draw your eye in to the rest of the image rather than off the edge of the frame.

[peeker]

They are pretty good as is... agree with previous poster that a reflector could have been used... Composition is good on both (if couple turned the other way as previously mentioned)

... here are a couple of nitpiks.
Second picture:
- watch where hands go and how they can detract from an image... His hand is front and center since it is around her shoulder. Instead, he could have put his hand on her left shoulder, or no hands at all.
- her head could have turned ever so slightly more so you could see a bit more skin on the left side of her face.
- he could have been positioned 3 inches more towards camera right.

No need to beat yourself up... these are good for one light photography.

[texkam]

I like, but I would tighten up #1.

[Snarfy]

As this is a lighting, not a posing discussion:
On the first image you might try underexposing the ambient light a little, and moving the OCF to camera left, so that you isolate them against the background. Not sure if you have the room to play with the distance of the light on that side, but you can get a more separated effect.