Terry Richardshttp://www.terrysdiary.com/
I started following this dude on tumblr and I am getting more and more interested in people as a subject. I know, crasy, rite. I like his no bullshit or gloss style.
Any techniques one should be aware of for portrait photograpy? Any favorite contemporary photographers you like?
Persist, I stumbled across this guy the other day and it reminded me of your work. He does mainly photomontage but his work has a similar wistful quality to a lot of the stuff you post here. There's an element of portraiture in most of the shots, although its kinda the opposite of no bullshit and glossy 
ah, inspiring. thanks!
He has some great people to shoot, his photograhy captures them in the moment creating an ellement of intrigue - makes you want to know more about them or the hours/ story before the photo was taken. A real skill.
http://viesturslinks.deviantart.com/
I really like this guy. Not your normal sort of portraits.
I've been smitten by the recent works of Loretta Lux. She has a very unique take on the child's portrait.
http://www.lorettalux.de/
I also really dig Irving Penn's portrait work. Tennessee William's below -
WOw.
Very inspiring.
I LOVE Terry Richardson's work.
For more classic portraiture, you shouldn't overlook Yousuf Karsh