Looking for suggestions for portrait gear

[shefjr]

So, my wife told me yesterday that her sister would like me to photograph her daughter and date before prom. She isn't looking for anything more than point and shoot. However, I figured this would be a fun little opportunity for me to try my hand at some portrait photography and add to my gear. Just to be clear, I have no illusions of being or becoming a professional photographer. I am blessed with the fact that I work for/with my father in his 20plus year masonry company. So, with that said, my current gear is a gripped d7k, Nikon 50 1.8, Nikon 18-105 3.5-5.6, Sigma 18-250 3.5-6.3, tripods, shutter release, etc. I'm unsure where they are going to want me to take the photos so I can't really give much in the way of specifics. The only thing that I could say is that I could be taking photos indoors or outside. I know no help sorry :/

Now to the question, with my current gear what few items would you add?

My only thought would be a sb700.
Thank you for any help and advice.

 

[o hey tyler]

Reflector + 85mm f/1.8 should do the trick. If you don't have a flash already, it's a tough call between the two.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Nikon F100, shoot the 50 1.8 wide open, Portra 400 exposed for the shadows, souped/scanned at RPL = amazing, and cheaper than an SB 700.

 

[o hey tyler]

Nikon F100, shoot the 50 1.8 wide open, Portra 400 exposed for the shadows, souped/scanned at RPL = amazing, and cheaper than an SB 700.

...Depending on how many rolls of film you run through it.

 

[Kerbouchard]

I would love to say a 70-200 2.8, but it doesn't sound like that is in the cards.

With you not having a flash, yet, I would say a flash. 100%, no doubt. And to boot, you need a flash that your camera can trigger off camera.

So, on a budget, I would go with an SB600, a light stand, and an umbrella. You can trigger it off camera with your built in flash, can pick it up for less than $300, and it will open a whole new world of options for you in photography.

As far as lenses, I would either use the Nikon 18-105 or the Sigma assuming it is a good copy. Basically, for this shoot, I would preferably be around 180mm on a full frame, or around 120mm on a crop sensor. So basically, your 18-105 or your Sigma should do just fine.

If you can't find a few extra bucks in your budget for a reflector, a piece of white foam board at your local craftstore can be had for under $5 and will 'fill' in nicely.

 

[Dominantly]

I'd snag an SB-700 as you seriously need one (and don't know it), and a stand/umbrella combo.

 

[Buckster]

I'd snag an SB-700 as you seriously need one (and don't know it), and a stand/umbrella combo.

^This

 

[tirediron]

I'd snag an SB-700 as you seriously need one (and don't know it), and a stand/umbrella combo.

^This

Quoted again to emphasize, and don't forget that trigger!

 

[2WheelPhoto]

^^^^^that over a new speedlight any day!

 

[KmH]

Here is an inexpensive lightstand/umbrella- umbrella brackets kit - Impact Digital Flash Umbrella Mount Kit

By using radio triggers StudioHut 4 channel Wireless Radio Hot Shoe Flash Trigger Kit for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus & Pentax Flashes with 2 Receivers, you don't need to use the optical triggering, Nikon CLS system.
Using inexpensive radio triggers you won't have iTTL capability, but you also don't have to buy $300 Nikon flash units either, and can instead manually control a much less expensive flash unit, like the Vivitar 285HV Auto Professional Flash

Optical triggering systems (infrared, like CLS, and visible light) are limited by distance and to line-of-sight uses. Radio triggering has a lot more range, and does not need to 'see' the transmitter.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

OP, I've been fortunate in finding used portrait gear fairly cheap.

Latest addition is this light, beauty dish, front diffuser, manfrotto stand:

 

[DiskoJoe]

speed light for sure

 

[Mach0]

For the price of a new sb700, I would look for a used sb800. You should be fine with your 50 1.8 and the 18-105. The 18-105 might not be ideal but it would get the job done.

 

[GeorgieGirl]

Speedlite and Honl Traveller8 softbox.

 

[shefjr]

First let me just say, WOW!!! Thank you to all who responded and with so many options to choose from! It just goes to show that I know absolutely nothing and have so much to learn. My simple mind thought that I could put a sb700 on my camera and that would add the fill lighting that I would need. Lol.
As for the options, I'm not quite sure which direction I'm gonna go in. I like them all. I'm gonna try and talk my wife into a mix of all the options I think and use my birthday as leverage Oh! and the fact that I wanna take a nice picture of our niece. hehe The only thing that I know I'm not gonna be able to get is the 70-200 2.8. That is on my list for the future though.
Again, Thank you everyone for taking your time to answer my questions.