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I would agree with you that the reference photo is too dark. I also like to call your attention to the lop-sided composition of the couple and to the huge fold of the man's shirt.
I read some place that William Bouguereau went through great lengths to pose his models, making sure that nothing was left to coincidence, before ever starting to paint. Others went through great pains to make sure that the folds of garments were just right, often even with the aid of pins to hold the fabric in place.
Nothing was left to chance and I would say that is why their work is timeless. If you think in the same manner you soon will see all the things that could be better.
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