I think they are good efforts for a beginner, The lens flare is an aquired taste for some people, personally i dont mind it, i think it adds a little something to the shot and its something that we are used to seeing when shooting into the sun,
As Corrina said the 2nd shot could have possible been better, there is way too much nothing in the lower part of the frame for me and i would have liked to have seen all of the parasol, the subject works well in sillouette though, must be all that hair (I dont work in sillouettes at all lol)