How to improve this image. Pre, during and post processing.

[opus]

Todd, first of all you need better light. Light is everything. You can take shots in this light but it will handicap you. Look at your light source first and try to plan when to go to get the best light.

Of course, when your photography is second to the family plans, you don't have that luxury. Now you have to do what you can in post processing. (There might be something you can do with fill flash but I'm a complete flash novice, sorry.)

I did a quick curves adjustment and got this. I didn't do anything else. It needs more but I stopped here to show you what affect this has.