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In this business, color correcting photos yourself is an essential capability, I think. (Unless you have the rare luxury of working from life for all of your commissons!)
I would get the negative (or a large print if you can't find someone who will work with the neg) digitally scanned. Then bring it into Photoshop and play around with color curves, levels, color balance, etc. I color correct or darken/lighten all or part of the images that I use on just about every portrait I have ever done. The photo is never sufficient in itself, and changing to be exactly what I want it is part of the creative process, whether I shot the photo or not.
Working with a photo lab can be immensely frustrating, time consuming, expensive and not give you anywhere near the control you need. Photoshop is pricey but you might be able to get a student price. Photo printers cost less than $100. The ink is expensive over time, though.
But the creative control you get by being able to make the reference into exactly what you want, at your desk, with your desktop photo printer, at any time of day or night, is so worthwhile.
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