Taking portraits can be fun but if you want to get the best results you need a few pointers. Otherwise your images will end up uninteresting and jaded. Many people either snap haphazardly without any thought or take the whole process far too seriously.
Try and think about the following:
What type of portrait you want?: formal, candid, informal, close up, groups try and plan beforehand
What pose are you looking for?: relaxed, serious, funny having pictures taken can be nerve wracking put your subject at ease and tell THEM what you want them to do (after discussing their own desires beforehand, if appropriate)
Consider a prop: people are more natural and relaxed when doing something with their hands give them a flower or newspaper or something else to hold even get them to position the item in different ways
Talk to your subject: distract them and make them feel more relaxed
What lighting do you want?: studio flash, natural light, a candle? choose the appropriate lighting and use reflectors to remove or lessen shadows
Watch the background: make the background appropriate to your subject and get rid of all the clutter
Choose the correct lens / zoom: wide-angle lenses and telephotos will give an unnatural appearance to your model use 90 130mm (35mm film equivalent)
Take lots of images: you will always get people with their eyes closed or looking different to what you intended by taking lots of pictures you will heighten your chances of success
Know your equipment: make sure you know how to change settings on your equipment - fumbling around does NOT inspire confidence in models!
Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com.
