Doing my first senior portrait shoot

[JBravo920]

I'm doing my first senior portrait photoshoot in a couple weeks for one of my friends daughter. As of right now I'm kind of on a budget of about $300. My current gear is:

Gripped XSI
18-55mm IS kit lens
Canon 60mm f/2.8 Macro
Canon 70-200 f/4L non-IS
430EXII
Cactus V4 Trigger and receivers

I've never really done portraiture before, so I'm not really sure what I would need. I've been thinking the 50mm 1.8, but I'm not sure if it's going to be that much better than the 60mm 2.8, so any info on that would be great. I used to have the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and it seemed a little long to me, which is why I've also been looking at the 35mm f/2. I'm just not sure which would be better or if I even need any. So any recommendations you can give me for lenses at a decent price.
The shoot will probably be mostly done at the park, so this will be outdoors.
Also, any info on which books to order would be greatly appreciated. I have Understand Exposue (Bryan Peterson) and the Digital Photography Handbook (Scott Kelby). I've looked on amazon, but there are a lot with good feedback, I was just wondering if there is a favorite amongst everyone here on POTN.
Thank you in advance for any info you can provide.

[CosmoKid]

depends on what aperture you will be shooting. the 70-200 is a great lens, especially out doors, for portraits.

a 50mm on a crop is almost the perfect portrait length.

use the 70 at 70 for half body and the 70 at 135 for head and shoulders.

just try to keep it long. if you use the 17-55 keep it to the 55 side of the range. wider focal lenths will distort perspective a bit with people.

you have umbrellas for you 430? you have a reflector?

[JBravo920]

depends on what aperture you will be shooting. the 70-200 is a great lens, especially out doors, for portraits.

a 50mm on a crop is almost the perfect portrait length.

use the 70 at 70 for half body and the 70 at 135 for head and shoulders.

just try to keep it long. if you use the 17-55 keep it to the 55 side of the range. wider focal lenths will distort perspective a bit with people.

you have umbrellas for you 430? you have a reflector?

So do you think I should go ahead and order the 50mm 1.8 or just stick with the 60 2.8? I've heard the 60mm is a good portrait lens, but I've never personally used it for that purpose.

As for reflectors and umbrellas, I don't have any yet, I was thinking about ordering this kit

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Strobist-Photo-Studio-Umbrellas/dp/B002DE3RYM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270231015&sr=8-1

it seems to have good reviews and for a good price for a starter kit. I need to find a reflector kit too, probably especially for an outdoor park shoot without a lot to bounce off of. Are there any specific colors I should look for in a reflector kit for outdoor use?

[CosmoKid]

when are you doing the shoot? why dont you take someone to the park and test your lenses out on them?

you dont even need to buy a reflector. get a piece of white foam board and use that if you are on a budget. i have a photodiox reflector from ebay. it's a 5 in 1 reflector and was around 50. its a 48" reflector.

go to B&H and get a light stand, bracket and umbrella. the impact is good quality for a cheap price.

you can shoot late in the day and use the sun for back light and the reflector for fill. this way you dont even need a flash set-up.

[JBravo920]

The shoot is April 17th, and she wants to do it around 10am. I was hoping to do it later in the day, but this is the only time she has available.

[CosmoKid]

10am is pushing the brink of bad lighting. try to do it earlier if you can. but again, do some test shots on willing subjects beforehand. and get some off camera stuff in case you need it.