Thanks for all the comments!
Yep, agree on the background - it should have been farther away. I'll see if there's something I can do to the background itself in post to make it less distracting. As said, I know the skin tones are off, but I don't have the latest corrected versions with me. Agreed also on the patterned dress (shirt).
These are practice runs for a specific project, so I'm actually very glad to hear the expressions are "too sweet" although I'm aware that was not meant in the positive
As the project is to be
very flat and
very high key, is there something I can do in within those constraints which can bring more character? I already have some plans, but would like to hear more ideas. I'm actually going for even more washed out pastel result than the second picture. It'll be full length shots with more clothes visible, so I'm hoping I can avoid an anemic look by having light-colored clothes provide a better anchoring than the black straps.