Need help! My first portrait assignment!

[powerslave]

Hey guys, I have just been asked to get some pictures for some of my friends from a band. I had covered their show once and they liked the shots that came out and now they want me to get some 'MySpace' shots for them.

I have never done a proper portrait shoot as such.

My equipment:

400D + 18-55IS + 50 f/1.8II + (55-250IS) + 430EXII + tripod + extra batteries.

As you can see, my equipment is not exactly 'pro', but I know I can get some great pictures out of it.

They were suggesting an outdoor location, like a junkyard, and I agreed.

Some questions I need your help with:

1. What are some good poses for individual shots or group shots as a band (without their equipment)?

2. What should I use as a diffuser/bounce card for the flash?

3. How do I break the 'weird' tension between them being in front of the camera and me? Should I prod them to do their own thing?

4. Do I need to get any model release or other legal formalities completed?

5. How should I hand them the photos? JPG/RAW/Full Sized/DVD?

6. How much money do you think this assignment is worth? Remember these are good friends and they offered me compensation. I know its wrong not to charge them because I'm doing something for free, which some pro photog would have done for a decent penny. But I am a beginner, and I am looking forward to building my portfolio. I do not want them to be my 'boss' by paying me.

Help appreciated.
Thanks.
:)

[louieabellera]

http://flickr.com/groups/22898515@N00/

there are some GREAT shots above. i learned a lot about composition just by looking at the photos.

[Haru]

1.) Yeah the link form loui says it all. Traditional is kinda like "stack the band with the lead singer in front, and NO ONE LOOK HAPPY!"

2.) What are you going to bounce it off of in a junk yard? Most flash modifiers won't do jack out doors. So just point the flash at them and use just enough to kill the shadows.

3.) You're in a junk yard. Get them to have some fun, flip a car if you can get away with it. Toss some stuff around. If you are all having fun then it should loosen them up a lot, and get you some good pictures.

4.) If you plan to make money off them, it couldn't hurt.

5.) edited jpgs sized for myspace. Myspace can do horrible things to large files in the process of resizing them.

6.) Depends on how good of friends they are. In your shoes, and assuming you are as close to them as I am to my friends, I would tell them to buy me dinner and call it even. If they are just friends you only see every now and then, charge what you think your time is worth. I wouldn't worry about usage fees, if your friends make it big, then their record label will hire a pro to take pictures for their CD cover and magazine spots. I always liked the formula, "By the hour, and charge them double what you make (or what you wish you made) at your day job."

[antiskeptic87]

I second everything these guys said, but also keep in mind the band's genre and try to capture that in the photos (unless of course the band wants to show their listeners that they aren't always serious..)
If they play happy playful music.. have them doing silly stuff with the junk and mucking around with each other (leap frogging and such). But if they're serious kinda dudes, I'd stick to the typical band shots maybe with some unusual angles and props.
All in all, you can suggest loads of poses but the band will have a better idea of what they're after so make sure you ask them if there's anything particular they want.
Also..... very keen to see the result! Make sure you post them or a link to them. :)
Good luck!
:)

[powerslave]

Wow thanks for all the replies guys. :) I'm gonna try to use ALL the information provided in these posts.

The shoot had to be postponed because of the drummer's schedule. It should be rescheduled for this weekend or the next.

BTW, they play Beatles/classic pop rock music. I get the point about making the band look something similar to what they play.

Thanks guys :) I don't mind more tips, I'll definitely post up a link as soon as I have it up. :)