What equipment would I need...

[IDR]

I have been asked by friends and coworkers to do family portrait over the last year. They have offered to pay me but I have been hesitant because I don't have any lighting equipment…and I don’t feel the pictures would be of the quality needed for me to feel comfortable charging someone. Most have been request for family portraits, mother and baby...and pets.

What equipment would you suggest would be basics I would need?

[Outlaw]

Why not start with window light? Professional results, and lets you focus on posing and expression with your client. You can do some very beautiful, even dramatic work with window light. Start playing with diffusers (curtains, sheets), scenes (even if just an antique chair or colorful couch), etc.

Grab a few friends or family members, set up your window light studio (of sorts), and play/practice. Keep doing so until you start getting very pretty, very nice results (you can do this in a few hours with a simple set up).

When you feel you're ready for clients, find out what a couple of other area photographers are charging, and charge the median for now. This will keep the industry safe and happy, and should line your pockets. If anything, charge too much; trust me, anyone worth having as a client will be willing to pay a professional's price.

This should keep you busy and paid. If you decide to hang your shingle and turn it into a part-time business or more, look elsewhere on this forum for tons of good advice and foundational steps to success.

And of course, as you do your practice images and first client photos, post them to the People section here on TPF. You will get honest critiques from some of the best in Texas, for free! No cheaper or more efficient way of becoming a better photographer.

[rogerfsmith]

Window light works very well for portraits, but you need to have a reflector also to get the maximum value of window lighting. Try some with the window behind the subject and use the reflector to light the model. This gives a nice glow around the subject.
Cheers,
Roger

[Coelus]

I did this with 2 500w shop lights and a cardboard and butcher paper paper softbox.

[IDR]

Thanks for the advice.

[toverman]

I don't know what I like about that photo more ... the big, square catchlight in her eye or the sprinkles. :-)

[IDR]

Originally Posted by Coelus

I did this with 2 500w shop lights and a cardboard and butcher paper paper softbox.

Great shot!

[DeLeon]

I would also suggest the book Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting It reads a little like a text book, but one of the best $30 I have ever spent.