Hi -
Re the bright back light and the light on my son, I have to confess is down to software.
He was quite a bit in the dark and so I had to rely on post processing to brighten things up.
It is cheating in a way, but then again using reflectors could be said to be just another form of help. The software I use is NIK Silver Efex Pro 2, I can not praise this stuff highly enough.
Very easy to use, it has transformed my photography.
Regards Michael.

This is striking work, Michael. And, such impressive composition. I personally don't think using software is cheating. I would say that it is rare to get a completely pleasing result straight from the camera. If you can use software and be more pleased with your own photography that is all to the good I say :-) I remember many moons ago sticking bits of foil on 35mm slide mounts to, hopefully, improve composition :-) And, waving my hands about under the enlarger head to improve the tones in a mono print :-) In my humble opinion using software makes it so much easier to make those little improvements to photos.

great composition, love the way the shot fits together, you've really a great skill with photographing people