Peter, Thanks! I think the dynamics of the original photo are what drew me to it in the first place. It's nice to know that someone else sees possibilities there too.
Beth, Though working with the original 'pose', I am incorporating most of your other suggestions and can see an improvement already! Removing the sandals and showing with just bare feet (just roughed in right now until I can get my son to pose on the picnic table
) made the fore ground
much less distracting! I haven't got it done yet, but I'm hoping that toning down the background and the intensity of the light on that paddle (I'm thinking to be roughly consistent with the value of the kayak side?) will help to make his face more of a focal point.
Thanks again to all!