HELP! Need help with shooting a model

[zakabog]

Help! I agreed to shoot this model for free, but I've never done anything like this before. I can operate my camera well enough, but I want these photos to come out the best they can for the gear I've got cause this is really a one shot deal. I have a Canon EOS 300D and a 420EX flash. We'd be shooting outdoors, anything else I might NEED (and I really mean need cause I've got limited funds and I don't want to buy something I could have done without.) And I was going to practice with my sister a bit. I'm really nervous, is there anything I need to know?

[tim]

Equipment is the least of your problems, posing is the hard part. Get this book (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1584281340/102-9127707-6895351?v=glance), it's excellent.

With only one on-camera flash the result will look a bit two dimensional unless you make use of sunlight. A reflector might help, and someone to hold it.

[FotOz]

If you can, do it on an overcast day. If not then shoot in the shde.That will reduce contrast. Leave you flash on for ALL of the shots. Use a medium telephoto lens. If you are doing full-length shots obviously do them on the vertical and include ALL of the model. Anything else should be from the waist up. And - WATCH YOUR BACKGROUNDS! Good luck with it. Show us your results.

[zakabog]

Thanks for the replies :-D. Feel a little less worried now, I was thinking about getting a reflector and someone to hold it because they are cheap and they do produce some nice results, plus they don't need power. And what would be a medium telephoto lens? I think the longest I have is an 85.

[Jon]

The 85 would qualify as a medium tele.
If you can manage it, you might want to get a flash bracket and the off-camera cord to get the flash a little away from the lens axis as well. And using a reflector is a good idea.