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Katherine,
There are a lot of people who are self-taught, especially in representational and figurative art, including myself. I did attend the Boston Museum School, but like so many large art institutions of the recent past and as well as most of the current ones, attention to serious drawing has been woefully neglected.
Your approach seems to be all linear and neglects the volume, tones and masses that are important to portraiture.
I suggest you purchase Harold Speed's book on "The Practice and Science of Drawing", about $12, it can be found online, maybe on this site.
You should practice on white plaster casts at the beginning to get the feel of drawing from something that has actual volume. I think it is a bad habit to start your portrait career if you are really serious, drawing from photos. You should try to enlist your friends and family to sit for you.
Another good book is by Roberta Carter Clark, "How to Paint Living Portraits". There are a million books out there, but I have not come across any other books that are better for a beginner.
Harold Speed has another excellent book on painting portraits as well.
Try to take at least one workshop in the future with someone you admire. There are quite a few capable artists on this site who offer workshops.
Many posters have come a long way since joining the Forum.
I hope this helps.
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