You're not ready.

If you can't figure out how to pose folks and what clothes to put them in and how to set your camera, then you aren't ready.

IF you want "payback to be exceptional" then go buy the video set "Lights Posing Execution!" by Roberto Valenzuela. (CreativeLive)

Watch the videos a few times, get family members or neighbors to be guinea pigs for at least a month or two, watch the videos again and again and let the principles sink in so that they are second nature....and THEN do this for her.

PS: Gene is right. Lighting, posing, it's all a package and you aren't getting solid advice if folks are telling you to use your on camera flash.

I'm doing a shoot as a surprise for a special lady - of her 2 grandchildren. 17 & 18 years, boy & girl. Would love some suggestions for poses for this pair of siblings...going to be on beach, on boardwalk, and inside old whitewashed brick building...IF THIS TROPICAL STORM ISN'T STILL KICKING OUR BUTT TOMORROW!! I don't want too mushy or too silly. Found some ideas on google, but nothing that I LOVE. Ideas? Examples? (and they're black, so again, suggestions about the type of lighting or reflectors to add? I've not photographed black people - and in natural light I know that there are some tricks I need to apply to get BEAUTIFUL results!) She does so many nice things for everyone at work, I want payback to be exceptional!! I asked them to dress SIMILARLY for one (maybe jeans, and white or peach tops), and will also do some in cap & gown for girl. I don't have a flash, other than my "on camera" (Nikon 7100, and a 5100) So...suggestions about settings, please!! And I do plan to take a couple of white boards and my shiny car window reflectors to help bounce a little light.

I'm doing a shoot as a surprise for a special lady - of her 2 grandchildren. 17 & 18 years, boy & girl. Would love some suggestions for poses for this pair of siblings...going to be on beach, on boardwalk, and inside old whitewashed brick building...IF THIS TROPICAL STORM ISN'T STILL KICKING OUR BUTT TOMORROW!! I don't want too mushy or too silly. Found some ideas on google, but nothing that I LOVE. Ideas? Examples? (and they're black, so again, suggestions about the type of lighting or reflectors to add? I've not photographed black people - and in natural light I know that there are some tricks I need to apply to get BEAUTIFUL results!) She does so many nice things for everyone at work, I want payback to be exceptional!! I asked them to dress SIMILARLY for one (maybe jeans, and white or peach tops), and will also do some in cap & gown for girl. I don't have a flash, other than my "on camera" (Nikon 7100, and a 5100) So...suggestions about settings, please!! And I do plan to take a couple of white boards and my shiny car window reflectors to help bounce a little light.

Because of their skin color be sure to use a more open Fstop - 5.6 or wider. If the light is not enough then use a higher ISO. The D7200 will give you great shots with as high as an ISO as you'll need for a wide aperture and a fast enough shutter speed. Don't be afraid to raise it. Use a fast enough shutter speed that you can freeze whatever fun they have with each other - at LEAST 1/125. Try to catch them interacting with each other, looking at the camera, looking away. Candids and posed. Have fun! And catch them having fun. Their mom will be thrilled. What a wonderful gift!

Thanks to those of you who were supportive and helpful. I simply chose not to respond to those who were not. I was not ASKED to do this...I wanted to surprise this woman with something I knew she would like. Waiting several months would have accomplished nothing (except that the granddaughter would be away at college and less accessible!) I don't intend to become a "portrait photographer" and will not be adding equipment for that purpose. I'm happy with some of my shots, and I am sure she will be too. There are several others, but wanted to post a few to prove I am capable of taking a picture in the middle of a tropical storm!!