Usually, when you think of portraits, you think of using a soft box, umbrella or ring light. Here's something different to try:
This example used a single light source with a 35° grid to make the light very directional. That's it. This setup produces a nice dramatic style that can really add a lot of impact to your subject. You can just as easily produce similar effects with a snoot, barn doors or even cinefoil. The beauty of this effect is that it doesn't require anything expensive and it's easy to set up. Add a reflector for even more control if you like.
Here's the setup:
Give it a try and share your thoughts about it in the comments.