My three rules:
-Taking close-up photos
-Making the most of natural light
-Moving the subject away from the center
Close-ups
Natural light
Move from center

First portrait
Picture of Judith Silverberg-Rajna
Exposure: +0.5
contrast: +22
Highlights: -6
Shadows: +6
Whites: +3
Black: -62
Clarity: 0
Vibrance: 0
Saturation: 0

Self Portrait.  

Rule: shallow depth of field.