Hey all new member here and a ??

I am pretty new to photography. I currently have a Canon Rebel EOS T3. I have the standard 18-55 lens an 18-135, and a 75-300 lens. I also have a macro wide lens for the 55mm. I am being hired to film Santa at a few events this year. I want to know what special setting or lens I should use. I am assuming the basic 18-55 should be fine or should I go with the 18-135mm. Also do I need to have a white umbrella behind me for good photos. I will be using a flash attachment. Any help is greatly appreciated. Looking forward to learning alot here.

Will Santa be sitting with a kid on his lap, or wandering around a venue?
And, Welcome to POTN!

Kids will be sitting on Santas lap with a backdrop.

Specifically what? Do you only have one umbrella?
If it were me, I'd use a strobe on the camera for fill & the umbrella a bit off to the side for the main light, Simplest one light setup would be the umbrella at the camera as you said.
But in a setting where you could have kids running around, you should sandbag the light stand, & maybe anything else that could fall over. And you'd better check with the venue to be sure that you're covered with their insurance.
Do you have a back-up camera & lights? It's something to think about, no?

As for settings, it's impossible to give them to you. Maybe start with f/8, 1/200 sec, & ISO 100. Set up at home & work out the distance, lens, & settings. Write them down.

Thanks. Right now I don't have any umbrellas or anything. I have been looking at ones to buy very soon. That is good tips on the sandbag though. I will have to ask if I will be under their insurance. It is being held in a church.

Most Santa set-ups at the mall I've seen have a camera on a tripod in portrait orientation. The usually have one strobe (not speedlite) mounted on-axis above the camera (on a light stand) either in a shoot-through umbrella or reflected umbrella.

Do you have a light stand and/or tripod?

I have none of that yet. Was mainly looking to see what I should buy. lately I just do nature and car shows so this is a first of like still photography. I plan on getting a camera tripod very soon.

Mall lighting is going to be tricky, generally SUPER warm in my experience (I travel around and shoot a lot of mall stuff for a client). So just keep that in mind (I don't know if gels are too much for a beginner) with re: to what you end up doing with your lighting. Yes, one large umbrella and a monolight would work, but don't be afraid to get a decent speedlight instead. The monolight will have to deal with AC power (or DC if you have $$$) which means cables, which could mean trip hazards for kids/patrons and liability. (edit: I just saw it wasn't being held at a mall but church, in which case you should go scout and see what the lighting is like and what they're using there and adjust accordingly)

For portraits you likely won't be shooting quickly so you shouldn't need the super fast recycle of proper strobes. From what I remember the kid sits on Santa's lap, smiles for the camera, and one shot taken. Wash, rinse, repeat. I think even a Yongnuo, a pair of triggers (3 just in case you need backup), and a large shoot through umbrella would work. 2 would be easier and depending on your personal taste maybe better.

I recently went through the same thing, needing some sort of cheap and lightweight lighting for fill on location. Ended up with a used Yongnuo speedlight (apparently everyone is recommending them, and my impression so far is that they're pretty good for the price), 2 pairs of wireless triggers, and a collapsible octobox. Total spent: maybe $62 and change. Already had a lightstand and umbrella mount for flash though...that could be at least another $30 if you go the cheap route, or much more if you go "quality".

tdlavigne wrote in post #17665736
The monolight will have to deal with AC power (or DC if you have $$$) which means cables, which could mean trip hazards for kids/patrons and liability.

Office supply stores usually have plastic runners that are made to enclose electrical cords & keep them flat on the floor. Or you could duct tape them to the floor.

You've taken a job you are grossly unqualified to do. You need to get some lighting equipment ASAP and start learning how to use it. What may have seemed like a simple photo has lots of subtle difficulties.

I use 3 Yongnuo triggers, Yongnuo flash, and an older Metz flash with a cheap softbox, umbrella, and silver reflector. I'm quite happy with the results, on a stingy budget.

liqwidsilver wrote in post #17663766
Thanks. Right now I don't have any umbrellas or anything. I have been looking at ones to buy very soon. That is good tips on the sandbag though. I will have to ask if I will be under their insurance. It is being held in a church.

You may want to check the lighting there before the event and be well prepared. If it's an older church, it could be pretty dark. Get the speedlites asap and start shooting, so that you really know what you are doing

Thanks all for the comments. I ordered a package of umbrellas well a kit I guess. Includes a greenscreen as well. May not be the greatest but it should do for now. Ordered a Canon speedlite as well. This is a newer church however depending where they have me setup I may have sun glare through the mosaic. Which I am very sure that can be tricky to play with. I am scheduling a time to meet with the lady in charge as she is a good friend of mine anyway to sort out where and if anything I can do some practicing prior to.

If those umbrellas are for continuous lights, cancel the order while you still can. They are going to be underpowered for your task as well as uncomfortable for your subjects.