First promo shoot, limited gear!

[Oli-G]

Hi all

Just leaving things a bit fashionably late: I do my first ever 'promo shoot' for a band this weekend.

This is an all girl group (think pussycat dolls-esque), and I have made it very clear that it's my first such shoot of this particular nature, and as such the fee is minimal and negotiable (I asked for my usual $50 if they turn out well, in seeking experience I'm just looking to cover my behind a little), so it's cool.

My gear:

40D
Canon 70-200L 2.8
Canon 50 1.8
Tamron17-50 2.8
50" softbox
Reflective umbrella
Possibly some reflectors if they arrive in time

Yep, your basic, noob strobists kit.

My flickr for reference: http://************/o4t6t8

Location - in a refurbished warehouse. Possible native/portable lighting in there (will be inside in the evening, they rehearse there).

Basically I have limited lighting and experience, so I'm thinking some basic front-on umbrella stuff (softbox maybe too narrow, unless they're clumped in together?), and mess with the angles a little, as I don't really have a clue, so want to minimise wasted time/shots, and yet get crisp shots that I can play with a little bit in post.

Any tips you guys can provide, as far as best utilising such a minimal setup, would be super :)

Cheers

Edit: will have 2-2.5 hours for the shoot.

[D.A.]

Well, i don't have any experience in shooting promo but i think your equipment is more then enough. Go out and play! :) Enjoy every shoot, look for different angles and compositions, make some close ups and group shoot, include them in environment.
I prefer natural light so you can try.

[BJWOK]

you've got ample gear to get some awesome shots in that time.

one thing i would highly recommend is spending about 30 mins of that 2.5 hours NOT shooting. hang out with them at the location, chew the fat, talk about their music, gigs, friends, boyfriends etc etc - anything not related to the shoot. this will help them relax into you: the importance of this comes when you are actually shooting - they need to feel at ease with you and that only comes with talking.

when it comes time to shoot (and you'll know when it is) start composing ideas and showing them as you go along, they will see what you are doing and offer advice on what they like. play with your ideas and their ideas and get creative!!

don't forget that you can use background objects within the warehouse to good effect too! not sure how many flashes you have, but fire one at the background snooted - it can give you some interesting pop to the subject :)

have fun!

[Oli-G]

Thanks a lot guys, both great advice :). Just the one flash, so hopefully there's some other useable stuff lying around!

I also think I'm probably just getting a bit over paranoid about getting the light/exposures correct too, especially after seeing a lot of really well lit 3-4 light shoots with the nice front key, left&right bleeds from rear lights, etc.

Cheers