I've often said how I have a dislike for the high key white background portrait, it really is just a personal thing, I find them soulless, boring and very rarely do they capture the personality of the people having their photograph taken and they can get bored very quickly which will show in their pictures.
When I shoot for clients I make a point to ask them what interests and hobbies they have and what favourite locations do they have, will then try to incorporate it into the shoot, at least then I get a sense of what makes that person tick and often shooting on location is much more fun and interesting for them and for me as it comes with added challenges so it keeps me on my toes and the images look fresh and anything but boring.
When I shoot for clients I make a point to ask them what interests and hobbies they have and what favourite locations do they have, will then try to incorporate it into the shoot, at least then I get a sense of what makes that person tick and often shooting on location is much more fun and interesting for them and for me as it comes with added challenges so it keeps me on my toes and the images look fresh and anything but boring.