HELP! Business partner killed and I need crash course in lighting

[AlabamaRed]

July 22nd my best friend and business partner was murdered. I have been devastated but now it is time to get back on track. We photographed a little bit of everything but specialize in children and pets. We have a pageant, festival, daycare/kindergartens, and a church event scheduled. My son and daughter are willing to help me but I have not really worked much with the lighting. I was trained as a "Studio Photographer" therefore my expertise was the posing, sells, marketing, scheduling, etc. I can't even tell you what kind of setup we have because she handled all of that and all of the lights, backgrounds, etc. are at her place and tied up in the estate. I will be talking to the probate attorney tomorrow and seeing what I can do about getting the equipment but if I cannot then I need a new setup. What is the least expensive and easiest to use? I had wanted to get a light meter before but she was a real penny pincher and could set up without it. Do I need one? We had a 2 light setup. I'm terrified!!

I work with a Canon 30D and my partner had a 20D. In my casual shots if I am questionable about the lighting I either shoot in RAW or I take an automatic shot just to get the reading then adjust as I need for what I want.

We have a 580EX Speedlite also but in most cases when inside I need the additional lighting.

If I can get to the paperwork on the lighting (which wasn't much) then I will know more. I do know that the last time the lights were used (they are about 1-1/2 years old) one of them was not working and my partner thought it might be the fuse. She never got to check it out and I have no idea how.

Thanks, in advance for any input!!!1
Any help will be appreciated!!

[Gouba]

Wow all I can say is i feel for your loss.

Can you describe the specific situations you might face? is the church well lit? with the pageant and festival photos where and who will you be photographing?

[AlabamaRed]

The pageant photos will be taken in a separate room in the church - probably a classroom. Generally, that is where we are at when we do children's photos in the daycare/kindergarten setting. As for the festival I am ok as it will be outside daylight photos so my 580EX will work for any needed additional lighting. I will be photographing children from ages newborn to adult in the pageant and the festival will be crowd shots, winner of different events, some individual with the mascot but mostly just candid type shots.

I did just speak to the attorney last night who is handling her estate case. I explained the situation to him and he said he will be talking to the family to set up me getting the belongings. Hopefully, this will happen by the weekend because I have to prepare, study the lighting, setup a background, etc., do test shots, train a helper, and practice, practice, practice.

Thanks,

[Kadath]

BTW, I know you are stressed with all this, but posting this multiple times in different forums is considered bad form...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=358701

[PhotosGuy]

The pageant photos will be taken in a separate room in the church I'd suggest you try some simple lighting set-ups with the lights you have well before the shoot. Main light, fill light or bounce card, background light. Maybe a hair light if you're feeling adventurous.

Tutorials by Benji:
http://www.photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/16516-rules-good-portraiture.html
http://www.photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/14669-portrait-head-shoulders-image.html
http://www.photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/14779-1-3-2-posing-technique.html

Basement one person shots. Simple 2 Light Portrait Set-up (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=128857)

VERY simple "outdoor studio" (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=122297)

[AlabamaRed]

Thanks for the input. The main problem is trying to get the equipment in time to work with it. My son has worked with me in the past as a photographer and my daughter has assisted in a couple of our photo sessions so they are going to help me. I just need to get things in my possession really fast. The estate attorney is working with me now so hopefully - by the weekend.

It is a three light setup with two softboxes and one umbrella. I've helped set it up a few times - we really haven't used it many times at all. Hope it is just a fuse!!

Thanks,