How to capture faces

[Flyfisher]

Hello again,
I'm pretty new to photography and the more I use my DSLR the more I find that I like to "capture" portraits. My son is a good model because he enjoys it
The next closest face to capture is...my wife. But she's almost never happy with the photos. I mean she's not critical in a photographic meaning but the way she appears in pictures. One day she said to me that I don't know how to take the advantages of the lights and the shape of her face so she will look good in pictures. So I would like to ask if there are some basic principles regarding this kind of portrait matter

[Donald]

Hello - I don't think I had a chance to welcome you to CiC previously.

First of all, You've maybe seen that most of us tend to use our real names on here. It makes communication more friendly and CiC is that sort of site. Did you know you can go to Edit Profile and enter your proper name under 'Real Name'. Then it will appear underneath your Username in all your posts.

As to your question - I'm sure the portraitists will come in to offer some suggestions, but in the meantime, I would direct you to the series of (free) lessons that Colin (Southern) led on here. It's the sort of advice and guidance that you'd pay a lot of money for out there in the commercial world. Just click here to access the threads.

[Meisam]

I was just posted the same link above,
You can also search flickr you will find many good ideas about what a good portrait is.

and maybe 500.com or 1x.com

[Flyfisher]

Thank you both for the replies, I have already read Colin's free lessons
I will try to apply the advices regarding the lights