There ya go! New camera ahoy! Yes, I was referring to the pictures. Most digital cameras have a setting for Fill Flash. Easy to set (generally). What it does is provide just enough flash to fill in the dark areas like the ones in the pics you posted so that you can see people's faces, details, etc. I often use it even in bright daylight pictures because it eliminates shadows. And I want all my fishing pictures to be publication quality stuff!
Most cameras are super smart these days and do a good job -- except when it comes to lighting. They sense the general amount of light coming into the viewfinder and adjust the exposure based on that. If someone has a hat on that is shadowing their face, the camera doesn't see that. So, you end up with a perfectly exposed picture, based on the background amount of light, and a very dark face under the hat that you can't see. Fill Flash takes care of that. That's why a couple of the pics you posted seem so dark.
Tell your honey to play with the camera and give it a try. You'll be impressed with the results!!