Shooting baby shower--tips? (First professional job)

Alright, so a family friend asked me to take pictures for her Baby Shower coming up this Saturday, and I agreed. I was just wondering, what do you guys suggest? I'll be using my Canon T1i and I'll be sure to bring along my 3 lenses (50mm f/1.8, 70-300mm f/4-5.6, 35-105mm (don't remember the aperture), and finally my 430EX II.

Do you guys have any tips on what to shoot, what to focus on, how to manage lighting, and most importantly, how to get good pictures?

I'm familiar with basic concepts of photography such as focal length, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc., but when it comes to lighting, I'm a little bit clueless. This is my first time, and I'm a little bit nervous about this. I don't want to come out "empty handed", so any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Learn how to bounce your strobe and balance ambient. Find out what color the walls are if there are walls ect...

Are you nervous because your getting paid? If your not getting paid you need to be very calm and just let them know your not a professional and the pictures are a learners attempt. Low expectations are easier to please than the alternative.
EDIT(They should certainly know this if you are getting paid)

I would try to get my hands on a slightly wider lens.

I'm trying to understand strobe bouncing, I don't understand it very well though. I've used white business cards (both absorbent and glossy) but I don't see the difference between the two. I do notice an obvious difference in colors thought when bouncing my light upward, or dead onto the subject. I've also tried various things such as bouncing off the ground (which yielded some pretty cool results) and off walls and mirrors, but it's all still a little overwhelming and confusing to me. And I have no idea what color the walls are or where the venue is.

Yes, I'm nervous because I'm getting paid--not a HUGE amount ($50), but nonetheless something. I'd rather make a good first impression so that if they're happy with my photos, they'd want to hire me again albeit this is my first time.

Also yeah, I would, but it's kind of impossible at this point. I don't know anyone else who does photography out here who would have a wide lens, and I can't afford rentals. The widest is my 35mm, which is rather old, but can yield some pleasing results to a degree.

Excuse my bump, but umm... bump.

What is the venue? Are there windows and mirrors? Is it a home or a restaurant? What time is the event?

Things like this matter, buy yourself one of these http://www.lumiquest.c​om/products/pocket-bouncer.htm and get there early to make sure you get the settings right for what you want.

There isn't a lot of 'action' at baby showers so you don't need really fast shutter speeds, always a plus. Get a few nice detail shots ahead of time with your 50, shots of the invite, the present table, little baby favor type things that might be around the room etc.

I think the most important thing you can do to prepare is to find out where the venue is and what the conditions are like. As suggested, you may be wishing to go a lot wider than you can with your gear.

Skrim17 wrote in post #10092665
What is the venue? Are there windows and mirrors? Is it a home or a restaurant? What time is the event?

Things like this matter, buy yourself one of these http://www.lumiquest.c​om/products/pocket-bouncer.htm and get there early to make sure you get the settings right for what you want.

There isn't a lot of 'action' at baby showers so you don't need really fast shutter speeds, always a plus. Get a few nice detail shots ahead of time with your 50, shots of the invite, the present table, little baby favor type things that might be around the room etc.

All I know about the venue is that it's a restaurant on the strip in Las Vegas and that it's late day to evening.

And yeah, I have a homemade one made out of a bunch of paper, haha.

So just basically shoot the attendees, the gifts, any smiles I may catch, as well as the overall atmosphere?

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #10092670
I think the most important thing you can do to prepare is to find out where the venue is and what the conditions are like. As suggested, you may be wishing to go a lot wider than you can with your gear.

Yeah, I can't really do that. I don't know where it is. I'm kind of being driven there. And if I could, I'd probably buy a 17-40L right now, but I don't have money to. :\

If you are not comfortable with the shoot ( from what I am reading here you are not ready for this assignment ), then I would not take the money, but instead treat the entire shoot like a gift from you to the mom-to-be. Might make you feel more at ease with the situation and you can use it as a learning experience.

Have you told your friend that you are not too sure of yourself. What is their expectations. If this is really important to that family, maybe they could hire someone more experienced and you can help and learn from this person. Just some ideas.

It's Vegas, hit up the pawn shops for a deal on a lens.

Agreed. The shops should be full of failed togs who traded in their gear for another run on the craps table

Hogloff wrote in post #10093404
If you are not comfortable with the shoot ( from what I am reading here you are not ready for this assignment ), then I would not take the money, but instead treat the entire shoot like a gift from you to the mom-to-be. Might make you feel more at ease with the situation and you can use it as a learning experience.

Have you told your friend that you are not too sure of yourself. What is their expectations. If this is really important to that family, maybe they could hire someone more experienced and you can help and learn from this person. Just some ideas.

Well I'm comfortable, I'm just nervous. I don't feel like my work will be good enough, but that's just because I'm nervous. I'm trying to think of it in a way that resembles going on stage. Before you go on, people tend to freak out (I don't, for some reason) over it, but as soon as they get on, and start performing, they end up having an amazing performance. I have a funny feeling that it might turn out like that for me. And yes, they already know. To them, it isn't exactly a HUGE deal, but they want to "save" the moment, so they asked me to help them out, and I agreed.

Skrim17 wrote in post #10095058
It's Vegas, hit up the pawn shops for a deal on a lens.

Ahaha. Sounds like a pretty good idea, but in this town, I have a bad feeling that I'll find mostly old old lenses that probably only work on the old mount system from Canon. :P I'll try anyway.

Tarzanman wrote in post #10095328
Agreed. The shops should be full of failed togs who traded in their gear for another run on the craps table

Hahahahaha, this made my day.

I recently went to a baby shower and took my camera just for some practice. It was honestly hard for me to find some interesting shots. I did the pile of unopened gifts, the food table, close up of the cake. But the people mostly just sat around in a semi-circle. Of course you'll get the mom-to-be opening some gifts. I'd suggest you ask who the important players are. Make sure you know who the grandma's, aunts, etc are and make sure you shoot them. Also, if the dad-to-be isn't there but shows up at the end to help load up gifts or something that can be a good opportunity for fun shots.

Don't be nervous. I'm sure they've asked you because they want some better photos than a guest would get with a point and shoot. Sounds fun and I bet you wow them with the pictures.