Settings for Nikon D90 Portrait work?

Hi all (:
I have a Nikon D90 I'm learning to use and practice with. I was wondering what some good settings would be if I wanted to shoot a subject outside in sunlight or some shade outdoors.

Thanks!

Added (1). The lens I'm using is an AF Nikkor 24-85mm. I don't think it came in the kit, my grandparents got it for me as a good starter lens. I kind of want to shoot on manual/aperture priority mode as I want to get the best pictures possible. I won't be using a reflector or additional lighting so I realize I will have to position the subject accordingly.

Firstly, what lens are you using?
secondly, are you using a flash and/or reflector?
thirdly, there are so many possible settings that you'll probably be best just experimenting…

don't forget to use the metering option for different results…

I would echo the above answer, and then make the following assumptions:

As a D90 owner, I'm going to assume that you too have the kit, 18-105 lens: a great, all around lens. Being a "prosumer" camera, the D90 has a portrait setting (Looks like a lady with a hat on). Turn to this, and snap away.

What this setting does, it is it selects for an aperture open setting, and often forces the built-in flash to pop up. This does 2 things: 1) highlights / fills in the subject, and 2) softens the background. The larger your aperture, the softer a distant background becomes.

Additionally, if you're feeling "pro", turn the dial to the "A" (Aperture setting), turn your aperture wide open, and snap away.

Check out the following:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/...-flash.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/...m/tech.htm
and, specifically for your camera…
http://www.kenrockwell.com/.../index.htm

Cheers, I hope this helps!
Oh, and many (but not all) of the following were taken on a Nikon D90