Looking for helpful suggestions

I just purchased a 30D, 18-55mm lens, 75-300mm lens, and 580ex flash. I am pretty new to digital photography and would love some suggestions and tips for portrait and event photography. I also need some advice about where to have photos prossesed. Thank you so much for your help.

One of the best suggestions I found was in the Glamor forum; it said som epeople practice shooting flash photography with either a teddy bear or a doll in their 'studio' setting. You don't have to have a dedicated place/building for portraits; but an understanding of your flash and Exposure Compensation WILL help. Also; you might want to pick up the 'nifty 50' 50mm 1.8 lens; for 60-70 bucks; it helps a LOT when taking pictures indoors.

I also need some advice about where to have photos prossesed.

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Most digital processing is done by the shooter. If you are looking to find someone to make prints for you, your local yellow pages can probably point you in the right direction.

I'm a bit confused...when you say "processing" are you meaning after the photo has been taken the actual manipulation of that photo e.g. cropping, sharpening, etc. or are you meaning the actual printing of the photos?

If you are meaning the former, I would suggest you get a good book on editing photos in photoshop (and get photoshop if you don't have it!) One of the best books I bought which has helped me more than anything else I've read is a book called "The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers" by Scott Kelby.

If you are meaning the latter, I have had very good luck with Wal-Mart prints. The price is very good, the wait time is very minimal (one hour if you wish), and the quality of the photos, colours and paper choice, is also top drawer quality. I'm sure there are other options but I have been pleased with Wal-Marts photo lab.

Enjoy your photo and don't forget to share some of those wonderful captures!

You will get a whole range of opinions on digital printing. Elbee likes Wal-Mart. I wouldn't use them here except as a last resort. I like Costco processing but it too is local and that makes a difference.

I'm a fan of Costco as well - I've gotten better results there than anywhere (except Blacks). Here's a summary of what I've found (from my print film days)

Costco - the best balance of affordability and quality
Blacks - very nice work, but pricey (you get what you pay for!)
Wal Mart - cheap, but shoddy (did I mention you get what you pay for
London Drugs - pricey, decent, but they take some liberties with their colour corrections
Shoppers Drug Mart - very affordable, but the colour correction is a little nuts (like RED skin tones! Too much).
Zellers - average price, horrible quality (never again!).

Welcome to the forum! As they say: "Practice, practice, practice..." And do read the manual -- it is your friend. Do start saving up for your next lens... time flies really fast and you will start outgrowing the kit lens and wanting a faster lens which will do well for event photography, or a sharper one like the 85mm for portraiture... the 50mm is pretty good for portraiture too...

Enjoy!