Girl asked to be photographed...

[Transonic]

...by me! :???:

Problem is that I don't normally photograph people and I don't think have the equipment or expertise to do it (maybe I'm just being pessimistic). I'm used to shooting motorsports and city/landscape stuff. I don't really want to turn her away though, it'll definitely be a learning experience for me. She might want to shoot some nudes and I don't want to be completely unprepared. I don't even have a flash! All my gear is listed in my sig.

At the moment I'm not looking to buy any new gear. Also, I don't plan on charging her anything... maybe just dinner or something. ;)

So what do you think I should do?

edit: I'll ask but I'm hoping she wants to do something outdoors, don't know where yet.

[Lynn Minmei]

You definitely have the gear (I'd go with the 50mm). If you are shooting outdoors, you could take along a piece of white foam core to use as a reflector. You can get them just about anywhere... I got mine at Wal Mart for about $3. Also when shooting, keep the eyes in focus and don't make her stare into the sun :)

Early morning a hour or two after sunrise or evening a few hours before sunset are good times to try for.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[cdifoto]

Take requests like this and run with it, not from it! Instead of saying "I don't think I can" surprise yourself.

[StealthLude]

Go for it man. If I were you, and you didnt have a flash, I would read up on them, and see if you can rent one from a local photo store.

You are in LA, im sure you cna find stores in the area that do rentals. Rent a 430ex or something.

Outdoors, just make sure you pick a nice spot, have her dress nice and use the 50mm 1.4 and give her some bokah to smile about.

[Thornfield]

If you think you can, or you think you can't, your right.

Run with it. If outdoors you could have her face that nice setting evening sun. Just get her to close her eyes and tell her to open them up just as you are about to press the shutter. It's all in the timing. Having a reflector for those sidelit shots is essential though. Flash is ok, however, unless you know how to use it it's a bit of a hit and miss exercise.

[NickSimcheck]

Go for it, you might get lucky!

With the photos I mean ;)

[rhys]

I tend to prefer landscapes BUT I have taken some very nice people photos and I think I might have some skill there although I'm scared of working with people.

[tim]

It's the photographer and counts most, and the model can help a LOT too. Look at lots of photos of the type you want to take, paying attention to lighting, how they're standing, limb position, chin/face/neck, etc.

Are you sure she's not just coming onto you?! :p

[Wilt]

Tell her you want to shoot an 'outdoor environmental portrait' of her. That means that she is in the outdoor setting which corresponds with some aspect of her life. Much nicer than the stiff and formal portrait. I captures her character and portrays 'who she is' to those viewing the photo. It also, surreptiously, allows you to find out more about her for that dinner conversation!

[goforphoto]

There are som in expensive flashes out therethat you can get but watch the voltage that they feed back into the camera. but hey if it is going to be an outdoor shoot go for it with what you got use the 50mm 1.4 and popup on the camera but you might try to diffuse it in some way so it will soften the light. I made a popup diffuser out of white paper and some strips of posterboard just a 4"x3" piece of paper use the strips of posterboard to make a frame and put a slight bow to the paper run one strip across the back to slip it over the popup flash and there you go a diffuser.