Need Portrait Help

I am posting a few of the shots I took hoping to get a good one for the portrait contest. They all had this obnoxious shadow on the left side. I LOVE the set up and expression of these but how in the world can I keep from getting any shadows? I had lights set on each side of them, some natural light from the window and a flash....how in the world did I get the shadow on the left? I did have my flash bouncing to the right side because it was darker on that side of them but I didn't think that would cause so much shadow on the left. I really want to get the hang of this so please all you portrait folks, lend me as much advice as possible (setup, even lighting, etc.). I also want to know how to do the traditional "looking up" shots better. I really like this kind of portrait.

I like the first one, It looks natural(Pose wise) The 2nd one looks to over done with the pose. What did you use for a background?
What about putting a faint light in the background or above their heads. Just my .02 Cents

I prefer portraits in a natural setting. Same concept, just something to add to who they are as an individuals (cute kid by the way). Like playing outside or in his room (as long as the background isn't too busy). I'm not a fan of hand to chin either.

These images do follow the classic portrait rules, if there are any. I know the images I have of me as a kid, I'm pretty much in the same poses. My favorite images of me, and others, are ones that peer deeper into my soul.

Dan

Try increasing the distance between the subject and the background, that way there will be no harsh shadow.

Yup, increase the distance of the background is one way.

Options to make the shadow not so harsh would be to put a background flash in the back to illuminate the background which may remove the shadow or overexpose the background, or use a larger light source like bouncing the flash off of a reflective umbrella or a dome thing on the flash.

Moving the background back is probably the best option.

The background ideas above would work. or you could bounce the flash off the ceiling and not from the side. this would put the shadow out of frame.