I like your initial instincts and gut feelings on creating this one. I agree..it could be a bit wider in layout ...as to take charge of more "web-space presence". Also...you could use more content...(squeezed into a wider format you could practically keep the same height attribute). ( And arrange content into a workable layout )
I think the use of you photo headers is really nice..I enjoy the imagery very much. I feel a conection to the Title on each page with each photo header.

Keep up the innovative look .and good W3C work

alou