Help selecting a camera lense?

I have a Nikon D3300. I'm looking to get another lense to upgrade from the lense that came with the kit. I take mostly portraits indoor and outdoor (people and pets). I also occasionally do take landscapes as well.

What would be a good lense to get next?

I have looked at a 50mm f/1.8. Would this be a good one or would something different be a beter choice?

Your "kit" lens can do anything from shooting landscapes (18 mm), group shots and full body shots (35 mm) and head and shoulder portraits (55 mm)

What makes a great portrait is mainly due to the lighting you use. Yes the 50 mm f/1.8 lens is a good one for shooting portraits, but do NOT get rid of your kit lens… You will still need it as you learn the fundamentals of photography

If you want a better landscape lens, then start saving your pennies and look at the Nikkor 10-24 mm zoom lens or Tokina 11-16 mm f/2.8 lens (excellent quality, but about half the cost of the Nikkor lens)

The 50mm f/1.8 is a good lens for portraits.

Do keep your kit lens as the 18mm end is good for landscapes and wider shots.

If your taste in photography doesn't change, you will want to get a longer lens (around 60-80mm, prime) for portraits, then a 35mm for general shooting, as well as a wider lens for landscape (around 10-16mm, prime). Never throw out your 50mm f/1.8!

I like the Nikon 18-200mm or the newer 18-300mm as a good all-purpose lens -- landscape, portrait, nature, street photography at a distance, airshows, kids, and most other purposes. I have used these lens for about 90% of everything I shoot.

For portraits, the Sigma 50-100 f/1.8 is probably one of the best APS-C lenses on the market today.
The depth of field and distortion of the perspective remains the same. You want to be using a focal length around 85-150mm (in 35mm format) for portraits. A 50mm is equivalent to a 75mm on your d3200, but in angle of view only. When looking at a 50mm vs an 85mm, you will get less of the background in the shot with the 85mm thus producing cleaner shots. You will also get a compression of the perspective which is more flattering to the subject than a 50mm lens. Finally, the depth of field will be shallower allowing to blur out backgrounds to a greater degree.

A 50mm lens gets recommended for portraits because it's "equivalent" to an 75mm, but in practice your images, and your subject, will look better with a longer lens.

To see how these lenses compare, go to photozone.de.

The kit lens is enough to do portraits and some landscapes. I you want better optical quality, the 50mm will do and make blurring backgrounds easier. For more expansive landscapes, look for a lens that's wider than 18mm but not lower than 12mm.

http://keerok.wordpress.com/2014/12/17/what-is-the-best-lens/

Next thing to spend your money on is a good external flash like the SB700 for bounce flash. (If you have a white or nearly white ceiling). It will give you sharper indoor results with your kit lens than a wide aperture lens without flash would

I've done well with the 18-55mm VR lens.
The Masked Man gave you a good suggestion. The SB-700 is a great flash to have. It even comes with snap on filters for different types of light. I saw a refurbished one for $250.

The kit lens is to do portraits and some landscapes also. If you want higher optical quality, the 50mm will do and make blurring backgrounds easier. For more expansive landscapes, look for a lens that's wider than 18mm but not lower than 12mm.