Have some type of setup. A corner of a room, a nice yard, wherever you might want to be shooting the portraits. Work with what you have. You don't have to have expensive equipment to get a professional level shot. Build a rapport with your subject. Get them comfortable with you and you comfortable with them. If someone is stiff and uncomfortable, it shows. Have some type of familiarity with your subject. Be able to reflect their personality with the photograph. You might have to surprise them with a photograph to do that, so be prepared. Get the right lighting. Try natural lighting or strobes and reflectors. If you will have a colored background, consider using a hair light. A hair light is a supplemental light that you use to give the hair texture with light shot from behind the subject.[1] X Research source This can make a huge difference in the shot. Put some serious thought into the background. You want it to add to the image and not distract from the subject matter. Don't try for a solid white background because you will have some very severe blowout in the photo. If you do have something other than a plain background, like shooting outside, be sure that it complements your

subject. Be prepared. Running around getting things at the last minute will break the continuity of what you are doing, cause your subject to be impatient, and can, very possibly, ruin the photoshoot.