Before you start shooting, really look at your subject. Watch their face - their eyes. See how they smile, what makes them smile. You can drastically improve your photography by just taking some time to open your eyes and observe.
Someone once told me the key to great photography is first to learn how to see. And it's true, the camera is just the machine to record, but it's your eyes and mind that decide what and how to capture.
Have fun shooting and meeting some cool people!
Dave Gladstone.
(Registered Graphic Designer and Passionate Photographer)