Classes and Training

• Training is the best way to improve your technique. Enrolling in photography classes can teach you not only the mechanical aspects of camera work, but the artistic aspects of the craft. Formal classes at technical schools, colleges and universities offer a solid foundation.
  
  When you've got the basics down, the next step is informal training is as an apprentice to a professional. Wedding and studio photographers are busy people, and they often trade their knowledge for a helping hand.
  
  On your own, study the work of master artists who specialize in portraiture--and don't limit yourself to photographers. The concepts of lighting, form and composition apply equally to all visual arts, and pioneering portrait photographers learned from the painters that came before them.
  
  

Lighten Up

• Expensive gadgets and well-honed technique can't make up for poor lighting. Outdoor portraits are best shot on overcast days. If it's sunny, look for open shade under a tree or near a building, or shoot at dawn or dusk, when the sun is low in the sky. If indoors, position your subject next to a window, and use a reflector or flash to illuminate the side that is not facing the light. Avoid on-camera flash. If it can't be avoided, filter your flash with a tissue or bounce it off a white piece of paper, diffusing the light and softening the shadows it creates.
  
  

Stay Composed

• They call it "portrait" orientation for a reason: Vertical framing complements and slims the face and figure. Keep your subject's head near the top of the frame, but leave a little space so the composition doesn't feel crowded.
  
  Unless you're taking a tight head-and-shoulders shot, keep the face a little off-center to avoid a bland, symmetrical composition.
  
  Above all, fill the frame. The subject is the most important part of your photo, and he or she should take up most of the space in your viewfinder.
  
  

Open Up and Zoom In

• Choose a wide aperture for a shallow depth of field--distracting background elements will dissolve into an even blur. Choosing a lens with a longer focal length (or "zooming in" on your subject) will decrease depth of field and compress perspective, further blurring the background and flattering your subject's facial features.
  
  

Strike a Pose

• Although your subject should always face the camera, a slight turn of the head can dramatically change the mood of your portrait. Get creative, but make sure your subject looks good: Keep faces upturned to hide double-chins, and remove glasses to bring out the eyes. Keep your subject happy and relaxed with upbeat conversation, and make sure you get shots that depict a variety of facial expressions.
  
  

Shoot for Quality

• Don't spoil once-in-a-lifetime photos with pixels and film grain. Set your digital camera to its highest-quality setting, usually "Fine," and choose a low ISO setting. If you're still shooting film, buy quality low-ISO film from a reputable manufacturer.