I was asked to take Senior Portraits (***need help***)

So if you have seen any of the stuff I post on this forum, all my shots are landscapes, cityscapes, and just photos I like to shoot in my spare time. Today I was asked by some girl if I could take her senior photos for her because she thought I was a good photographer and liked my work. I told her that I was very inexperienced in shooting people and didn't know if I could make her happy with my shots for her senior photos. I eventually said I would do the shots for free since I have such little experience. That way it can give me an opportunity to practice, build my portfolio, and if she doesn't like them...well, they were free!

So here are my questions.

What kind of skills do I need to take these kind of shots. I only have 3 lenses (18-55mm f/3.5, 50mm f/1.8, and 55-250mm f/5.6). Obviously I would not want the telephoto lens, but what lens would be the best for this work. I have no other equipment besides a tripod and shutter release.

Tell me as much as you can to help me make the best of this shoot.
Thanks guys!

EDIT: So these shots are for a senior in college who is almost ready to graduate. Her major is IT and she was wanting shots in/around a computer lab or in a computer setting (to show off her major's focus). So I would not be shooting outside, but rather in a computer lab. Any suggestions?

Out of the three I'd use the 501.8.
Read a lot, check out this people section for posing etc.
Have fun!

Actually of your choices, the telephoto might be the best option. The 50.8 on the crop is okay for half body shots, although I still prefer the perspective of a bit longer lens. The biggest hurdle though isnt lens choice because sharpness is not the most important factor, but light is. Do you have a flash? If not, make yourself a reflector. Shooting outside and getting flattering light is not as easy as it seems. Try to work in the golden hour so you have to fight the sun as little as possible.

gonzogolf wrote in post #12157094
Actually of your choices, the telephoto might be the best option. The 50.8 on the crop is okay for half body shots, although I still prefer the perspective of a bit longer lens. The biggest hurdle though isnt lens choice because sharpness is not the most important factor, but light is. Do you have a flash? If not, make yourself a reflector. Shooting outside and getting flattering light is not as easy as it seems. Try to work in the golden hour so you have to fight the sun as little as possible.

Thank you for your help, but please read the EDIT that I just posted in the original post.
And no, I don't have a flash.

Ahhh then lighting got even more important. Do you have any lighting gear?

I have nothing except my camera body (the Rebel XSi has a pop up flash) the lenses, tripod, and shutter release.

i would get a flash.. plenty can be had for $80. I have an xsi and take lots of senior portraits with it. The 50mm is nice for a starting place. I use the 430exii and a stofen diffuser and get great results. use your 18-55 for full body shots. With flash, you should get decent results until you get something faster (like tamron 17-50 2.8, etc)

Dirty Murd wrote in post #12157170
I have nothing except my camera body (the Rebel XSi has a pop up flash) the lenses, tripod, and shutter release.

To shoot inside you are going to need some lighting gear. Computer lab lighting is most likely fluorescent fixtures or can lights. Both cast from pretty terrible light and if they are old fluorescent tubes they can play some nasty tricks with color shifts as they cycle. The popup flash is terrible quality light for senior portrait type work. If I were in your position, I would beg borrow or steal an external flash from someone, and work on bounce techniques. Or beg her to take a laptop out on campus where you might employ a reflector.

also, dont be afraid to grab a friend and go through practicing for portraits at location(s) to see lighting and composition a few days before your paid shoot. My first Sr. photo shoot was with a daughter of a friend and i gave her a real nice price and stretched it out to 4 photo shoots at different locations over a couple week timeframe. That way i got used to her, saw what poses, lenses and lighting worked and ended up with a really happy client.

This is all starting to sound more and more complicated by the minute. I am absolutely broke at the moment and have no time to go out to purchase lighting equipment for this one shoot. I also mentioned beforehand that this shoot if free for her since I have such little experience in people shooting. I told her I would do it for free so that if she didn't like the results, she wouldn't be mad. It also gives me a change to build my portfolio and practice. The only problem seems to be the lack of lighting equipment which I don't expect to be able to buy before the shoot. Any other suggestions?

Dirty Murd wrote in post #12157218
This is all starting to sound more and more complicated by the minute. I am absolutely broke at the moment and have no time to go out to purchase lighting equipment for this one shoot. I also mentioned beforehand that this shoot if free for her since I have such little experience in people shooting. I told her I would do it for free so that if she didn't like the results, she wouldn't be mad. It also gives me a change to build my portfolio and practice. The only problem seems to be the lack of lighting equipment which I don't expect to be able to buy before the shoot. Any other suggestions?

If you cant take her outside, then politely decline. Go to a computer lab and shoot a test shot with the existing light and your 50 1.8 and you will understand why. There might be enough light, but the quality of light will be poor.

I told her we could test stuff inside but it probably won't work. She said it would be fine to go outside. So now that we are able to go outside, what needs to be done?

Ideally you can schedule for a early evening time, when directional sunlight is less of an issue. Build yourself a reflector from a piece of foamcore or white poster board. Bring along an assistant to hold the reflector. Bounce some of the light back into her face so there are less problems with shadows in the eye socket. The rest comes down to posing. Try to work with reasonably shallow depth of field to blur out any background distractions.

gonzogolf wrote in post #12157706
Ideally you can schedule for a early evening time, when directional sunlight is less of an issue. Build yourself a reflector from a piece of foamcore or white poster board. Bring along an assistant to hold the reflector. Bounce some of the light back into her face so there are less problems with shadows in the eye socket. The rest comes down to posing. Try to work with reasonably shallow depth of field to blur out any background distractions.

So have her back to the light source and have the reflector behind me pointing at her? And shallow depth = low f/ right?

Go for it but you should be doing it free since your not equiped or experienced.