Need advice for corporate event couples portraits

[digitalmedia]

Hello all! I am a hobbyist trying to turn pro and I have been hired to take prom style portraits for individuals and couples at a formal corporate event. This will be my first attempt at this type of shoot and my first attempt with studio lighting, although I am very comfortable with my technical skills and I have a basic understanding of multi-point lighting.

I will be renting the lighting equipment and a backdrop. Cost is not a big factor since I am renting the gear and I have budgeted about $300 for equipment rental. My plan is to do a basic 3-point setup (key/fill/hair). I could use some advice on the following:

-Which (of the lenses I own, listed below) and focal length should I use?
-What distance should the subjects be from the BG?
-What lighting ratios do you recommend?
-Should I use umbrellas, softboxes, or additional 580EX flash units w/ diffusion?
-Should I use an on-camera catch light?
-What should I be looking for in a background? Should I use a practical BG instead?
-Creative tips???

I appreciate any and all advice you pros are able to offer. Likewise, if you know of any other threads that may address some of these questions, please post. Thanks so much! This forum is amazing.

[digitalmedia]

oops. I forgot about a light for the backdrop. How should this be done?

[Screamer]

I like your enthusiasm! :)

But, I think your lighting might be overkill for the event. Do you know for sure that you will have enough room for all of that? I shot a corporate event this last holiday season as a favor...and in general, you want to keep the line moving and as few cables as possible to keep from being caught on high-heels. (Gaffing tape only goes so far :)) Is this for a party?

FWIW, I shoot Elinchrom RX series strobes the majority of the time...but if it was me, I'd look to keep the line moving at a corporate event, as un-inspired as it sounds.

For simplicity, might I just suggest some constant tungsten lighting, a couple of umbrellas, and a light disc reflector? Lowell Tota-Lights work really well for this. Here is an example shot using thst exact setup I described above...two lights, two umbrellas, two stands, and a reflector:

(the backdrop was piped curtains provided by the venue)

http://www.macinophotography.com/potn/corp.jpg

[PhotosGuy]

I agree with keeping it simple. Be sure to sandbag the light stands 'cause for sure someone will bump one. ;)
Maybe you can find some ideas in here, too. Good luck!

Free lessons at the the Web Photo School
http://www.webphotoschool.com/Lesson_Library/Free_Lessons/index.html
There's info in the "Small Flash and Studio Lighting" & "People" forums & some help here.
free photo articles, tips, photo how-to and suggestions (http://www.schoolofphotography.com/if/InFocus.html)
Taking the Mystery Out of Lighting
http://www.montezucker.com/content.html?page=7
Large Family Portrait with limited light and space (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=114964)
AlienBees Website: Beginner Bees Section / Lighting For Still Photography: Understanding Studio Flash and Techniques
http://alienbees.com/beginnerbee.html
Robert Lay's "Portrait Lighting" examples.
HTML version at: http://zaffora.f2o.org/W9DMK/PortraitLighting.htm
and the PDF version at: http://zaffora.f2o.org/W9DMK/PortraitLighting.pdf

See lightingman's post here:
Studio Lighting Suggestions
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1002458#post1002458
Small studio lighting suggestions
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=137012

Scott has covered portraits very well. Look here if you'd like some examples of product set-ups with "hot" lights:
Sticky: FAQ - Studio Lighting (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66140)