I'm curious why these photog buddies of your don't critique your photos and offer advice on them? Those connections are much more valuable than a forum of people you don't know.
BECAUSE they are her friends.... and don't want to be mean.... so they keep sugar coating everything and telling her everything is great!
They're mentioned throughout this and other threads but they offer no substantial help. My friends would allow me to tag along on photo shoots and spend time explaining how things work and why, also give instructions on best ways to work on learning, maybe the ways they did. This is the way I treat my friends.
I don't believe I'd want friends who wouldn't be truthful or open when I was interested in their opinion of my work.