Digital Photography

http://photo.net/learn/portraits/
from reading this article i learned that backgrounds, location, and lighting are most important when taking a portrait session. if you have too much stuff in the background it takes away from the focal point, which is the person. if the lighting is wrong it can create unwanted shadows and so on... with the location you should show the individual in a familiar place, somewhere they are a lot.

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/6-tips-for-shooting-portraits-with-digital-cameras
from reading this article i learned 6 useful and helpful tips to shooting portraits with a digital camera. if you switch the settings to portrait mode it will create a softer background and focus on the individual. also, they recommend using a tripod when shooting outdoors to reduce blurring. and lastly, dress ur subject well. try out different poses, angles, and lighting.