I looks like you have been lurking long enough to know you have a great image.
I would be adjusting the contrast but then again I like higher contrast images and I understand it is personal choice. I do agree however with your decidision to leave it soft.
PS. That was an intersting little bio. Re Lenses - I do not use any zoom lenses in my portraits. To me they are too expensive, need too much more light, and the resulting image is just not what it could be. Great for outdoor work but in a studio I see no use for one.
