Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

Background is I take pictures indoors in a small studio, these indoor pictures are of old tools.
I have been asked by a local church, I have the best camera in town, to take the pictures for their membership directory.
I have Canon's a 5DMkiv and 80D. What I do not have is a suitable lens other than the Canon 24-105. I have been thinking for some time that a lens like something in the 75-250 range would be handy. My thinking is the 105 is too short requiring me to get closer than I want to the subject.

Also, there is lighting. What I use in my studio is, or may not be, bright enough for portrait use. I currently have two small soft box lights and two wall mounted 4 socket units. It works decent for tools but portraits, maybe not.
These are not strobes.

This is a non paying project, I get to write off my time as a donation.

How should I proceed?

Ken

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

85-105 is just about right.
Your lens is perfectly fine unless you just want an unnecessary excuse to buy one.
To render a natural perspective in a standard portrait, twice the "normal" focal length for your format is what I learned in school .
The part most people need to learn is lighting and posing.
There are virtually tons of lighting tip resources.
I use flash and my default place to send people for basic lighting is Strobist 101.
There are even more great places on FB, like Learn to Light - An OCF Lighting Community hosted by Francisco Joel Hernandez.
Hopefully someone else will chime in and share other good suggestions.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You are having a GAS attack ! The 24-105 will do fine ! ......turn up your ISO with your lights.
.

Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

Thanks, great suggestions!!
Ken

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Trying to be helpful here...
If you do not have the experience in portraiture please do not accept this assignment.
In portraiture one's kit is almost irreverent it is all about having a high degree of comfort in managing a session and putting your sitters at ease... You have to be totally in control, no time to think, everything most be by reflex. Otherwise your sitters will know and you'll quickly lose they trust and their expressions with reflect same.

Shooting people is not the same as product (old tools) photography... not even close.
Best advice is to assist other portrait photographers in your market first (this was my path)
And you'll also benefit from a photo assistant for this gig... keeping mine that Grace and Pilgrim are not qualified.

I see this over and over again here on UHH where folks think shooting weddings, events and/or portraiture is all about kit. Nope, nothing could be further from reality. It is all about charismatic session management... You have to be an accomplished thespian... Directing the talent in the assignment is by far and away the greatest challenge.

First Rule of commercial photography: NEVER accept an assignment that you are not fully experienced in... thus not qualified to bid on.

I have to smile at "have the best camera in town" Really?

In the example below I brought in my studio's MUA and top Hair Stylist (formerly with VOGUE NYC).
Illumination was with a BD, and two strip box kickers. At this juncture I had over 500 sessions behind me...
Hope this helps...

Preforming Artist: Emmanuelle Duncan-Williams (Opera Singer) Nikon D300 w/ 18/200mm f/3.5-5.6

Cheapshot Loc: California.

This is a perfect assignment to get some experience and help your church. They are asking for nothing more than ID photos! Your camera (5D), your lens and your light is fine. Tripod the camera, bump up the ISO if necessary. Camera at subject's eye level. Seat them at a 45 degree angle to the camera and turn their faces directly to the camera...then chat with them as you would a friend and you will know when to trip the shutter. If you are concerned about your work...schedule a test session with a small group of those folks and have it reviewed by the leadership there. Good luck!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Does an "irreverent lighting kit" make sense at all for church portraits?

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

😜🤪🤣😂🤣

While Thomas certainly knows his stuff his angle is all about people looking to become pro photographers. These people are looking for simple headshots for a membership catalog. Pretty much what you’d get from JC Penney. I would take a little time with a test subject to figure out the lighting and camera settings. Then I’d just bring them in, seat them and shoot. The only thing that would change would be an adjustable seat to put the head in the right spot regardless of the subject’s height. No need to change the lights or tripod configuration. And the 105mm will be fine.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

This is correct. ^^^^

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The J.C. Penney studios were run by Lifetouch when I was there a decade ago. Lifetouch had just bought Olan Mills' Church Directory and Portrait businesses as well.

The church portrait business is virtually identical to K-11th grade school portraiture. You typically sell packages of portraits on a pre-paid or proof program. The church gets all the images for their directory. There needs to be some way to associate family and individual data with images and orders, both for order processing and image identification for the directory...

Najataagihe

Thomas, I can’t BEGIN to tell you how impressive that portrait is.

Good on you, mate!

Laramie Loc: Tempe

Are you photographing each member or the whole bunch?

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

...

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

Take a look at IRS rules. It could save you an uncomfortable headache down the line.

Is Volunteer Work for a Church Tax Deductible? Like with volunteer work for a charity organization, you can write off expenses incurred that are related to volunteer work for a church, but not for the actual volunteer time.

billmck Loc: Central KY

My understanding has always been that church directories are typically done at no cost to the church by a professional organization that makes their money by selling photo packages to those who have their pictures taken. The only reason for a church to ask a member to do the directory is so the congregation doesn't have to deal with the pressure to purchase a photo package.

Bill