Buy light science and magic, understanding light is much more important than being told or reading "how to set up 3 point portrait lighting". Light done.
I assume you can use your camera on manual? "settings" done.
The rest is down to you, and your subject. And it's 99% of what makes a good portrait shot. Don't be fooled by assuming that being friends or family makes it easier, often it's harder. Being a good people photographer is about more than having a laugh and joke with them, it's how to manipulate them, or provoke them, make them sad, make them happy, evoke the feelings you want in your shot.
If you ask them to smile you're already failing. Talk them into a feeling, don't ask them to portray it, portrait subjects more often than not, are not professional actors.
Trying to guide you into thinking objectively here rather technical this, settings that.
Hope that helps
Dan
