Once the contrast-reduced image is taken out of its context and put into a magazine or newspaper, these types of images often appear as improperly photographed. Leave a border around the subject. Try to avoid having the top of a person's head right at the edge of the image. In some instances, one person's head is actually chopped off at the top of the photograph. Back up the camera or zoom out just a bit to make sure that the entire head of every person is well within the photograph.
Nothing can mess up a picture more than undesired movement or a photograph that is out of focus.
This is especially true if a stringed instrument is in the photograph as the strings don't show up well. Computers are nice for correcting images but they can't add what isn't there to begin with. Image enhancement for sharpness and detail can only work from available detail so if the strings on a guitar or banjo don't show up, only the most expensive packages will be able to extract them. This usually results in other unwanted side effects. Make sure the cameral is level and that the subjects are on level ground.