Need Advice for Prom Photoshoot

[Docarino]

I have been asked by a small local high school to take pictures for their prom. (I think their real photographer canceled). They would like formal pictures and then some candids if time allows. It is a small school and there probably won't be more than 30-50 kids there.

I could use some advice because I am not a professional photographer and have no experience with posed, formal pictures and the lighting that it requires. I do not want to spend a lot of money on extra equipment since I am just doing this as a favor.

This is what I have: Canon 50d, f2.8 24-70, f4 70-200, f1.4 50, f3.5-4.5 10-22, 430exii speedlight, tripod, remote shutter release. I will also try to convince my friend to lend me her camera so I have a second body.

Can anyone offer me some advice on how to pull this off? Any cheap lighting ideas? Please help me figure out how to pull this off! It's not for a month but- I leave for Disney in 17 days!!! so I want to figure this out before I go :)

[MICKEY88]

I would recommend talking to someone at the school ASAP and getting as much detail as possible, will they want you to do packets such as 8x10s,
5x7s and wallets..and have order forms..
at the schools near me the prom committee decorates the school, they decorate the stage in the auditorium, and the couples walk out on stage on at a time, stop for photos, then leave the stage for the next couples arrival, they also deccorate another spot in the school for formal pictures, the way they decorate and the lighting in these locations helped me determine what i needed for the job. the prom I did last year, they had another photographer for the formal shots, I was hired to shoot 5 couples before the prom, then.. the shots on stage and to shoot the entire prom, candids at dinner and during dancing

pics are located here if ya wanna see what I did


http://www.starrrshots.com/f834498038 (http://www.starrrshots.com/f834498038)

[mabas9395]

Define "a lot of money on extra equipment".

A cheap route that might help would be an umbrella and sync cord to your flash. Though I don't know if a 430ex has enough power when shot into an umbrella to light more than one person. Maybe a couple, but probably not groups of 4 or more which you usually see. Maybe someone else can pipe in. If that friend lender her camera also has a 580ex or other flash you can use as a Master, that would be an even better way to go. Two lights and wireless control.

It also kind of depends on the location. Are there high ceilings or low ones you can bounce a flash off of?

[MarkBarbieri]

You can rent flashes.

[Frantasmic]

Here is a nice beginner's photography lighting kit:

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Studio-Umbrella-Continuous-Lighting/dp/B001NDYTKA/ref=pd_cp_p_1

[Docarino]

I'm going to check out the location today and hopefully define exactly what they want. As for how much I'd spend, I wouldn't mind a couple hundred dollars if it was something I would use again, or I could also easily convince myself to buy a 580ex to use as a master. I'm trying to control my endless spending but I think it's a losing battle :)

As far as renting- I don't know of any local places to rent from. Are there good online stores that people recommend?