The key to any successful portrait shot is to ensure you break the rules. You see if you stick by the rules you will often get a great shot, but it will just be run of the mill. If you want to take really stunning and beautiful shots, then you need to do something out of the ordinary.
Tip #1 – Get up close and personal. Some great shots are where you fill the complete frame, in fact go beyond the frame and focus in great detail, in particular capture the eyes. This is where a ring flash comes in handy and gives white circles in the pupil of the eyes.
Tip #2 – Think perspective. Some great portrait shots are where you alter the perspective of the camera. Shooting from above, or perhaps from low can turn that normal shot into a great shot.
Tip #3 – Off the cuff. Not all portraits need to be staged. Some great portrait shots are taken when the subject matter is relaxed and unaware that the camera is pointing at them. At telephoto lens such as 70-200mm lens will enable you to shoot from a distance. We call this reportage photography and you will find some great shots at family reportage photographer
Tip #4 – Composition. Similar to tip #1, only this time perhaps move the subject far left, and shoot with a shallow depth of field to throw the background out.
Tip #5 – Try where possible to use natural lighting. I personally dislike flash, as I find it harsh. Position you subject and use what natural light is available. Venetian blinds are really cool.
Tip #6 – Use an object or create a frame. If your shooting a person face on, perhaps introduce a headscarf to obscore the face, drawing great attention to the eyes. Again, a ring flash would be good to create white circles in the eyes.
Tip #7 – Create a collage. Take a series of shots and align them next to each other. This is particularly good when the taking pictures of children.