Looking for some help on shooting people!

[gconnoyer]

All (90%) of my work/experience is shooting cars, stills, and racing. Recently, I've started "trying" people. When I say trying, its because I feel like they look snapshot-ish.

I see tons of awesome portrait work on here and wondered what you do, during the shoot or in post, to give them a more professional look.
For example, some of them have a sort of hazy/fuzzy look or feel to them.
(I feel like I got here)


but then I have some like this, that just look, plain to me.



Its crazy how different the subject changes how you shoot. I get cars....people, not so much LOL Thanks in advance for your help!