I am looking for a source to purchase PC connectors to rebuild flash sync cords. I want to be able to replace the PC end, tired of buying new cords when one gets jerked out of the plug a few times.

No your not crazy. Sound like it could get interesting.
Haven’t done this moving. A few thing that come to mind is you may need the interval a little closer depending on your speed. Remember there needs to be a 20% overlap and if going for a really wide shot you need to shoot in portrait to give enough hight to the picture. With this said in portrait your interval will be even closer. Experiment you may have to make more than one trip. Let us know how it goes.

Goofy - great site, just skimmed thru looks great
Pale - I will down load the book looks good.
Thanks. This is the great part of this site, always learning and getting great tips

Mono pod to double as walking stick, a wider lens as suggested, one thing not mentioned, a good circular polarized filter for all lens, will help bringing out the sky and cutting some haze.

LR killer tips FREE http://lightroomkillertips.com/category/lightroom-videos/

You can get some of onOne’s presets for LR free, and I think for PS also.

From the new laptop open LR go to file - open catalog then find your catalog and open. After doing this for each catalog you should be set up. Im going from memory when I moved everything to a new laptop (I’ve sleep a few times and gotten older sense then) hope I’m not steering you wrong.
Are you running PC or MAC?
A good source for LR info is http://lightroomkillertips.com

With the landscapes and portraits I would go with the 70-200 f2.8. Unless you do allot of birding, then you could use a longer lens like the Sigma 150-500mm you mentioned.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Its best to get it right in camera but we are not perfect.
One thing you can do, if you flip thru pics in LR and see a trend you can adjust one pic highlight the others them within LR sync to the adjusted one. This will make the same adjustment to all highlighted images. This will work for exposer or any other adjustment made in LR.

Wished I had a brick and mortar store to go to. The only one we had went out of business 2 years ago (thank you wal-mart and drug stores). I bought most every thing their. The next closest one is over an hour away. Shopped there several times until I was purchasing a 70-200 f2.8. When I went they were over $200 more than B&H. When I asked about a better price, and I didn’t expect them to price match just do a little better, I was told “will I guess you need to go to B&H”. I haven’t been back. I would rater spend the extra to overnight shipment from B&H than go back to them.

Are you going to be using both computers?

If yes - move the Catalog files to the external, this way they stay updated for both computers. Install LR on second computer. Next from within LR go file. Open catalog and to the catalog. Now LR knows where the catalog is. If the pictures are shown off line, in LR library module under folders right click and find missing folder.

If no - you will only be using the new computer just move the catalog to the new computer and follow the above direction.

When I say catalog, I’m not talking about the picture folder I’m talking about LR catalog

Do you still have your Brownie Reflex? I have a collection of 31 different Brownies no where close to all of them. The Reflex 127 in original box is part of that collection. I don’t have the flash. If you don’t have yours, you can still find them on eBay.

You are doing right, starting now and setting a goal to get the best possible portraits you can. When I do senior portraits, I set down with the senior and try to get to know them a little and capture their personality. Their interest their sports ect. You have the advantage and disadvantage. You know him but don’t let what you perceive as to what his real personality is. Not sure if that makes sense.
Hopefully he and the rest of the family don’t get tired of using them as ginny pigs will you learn.
Like I said we are here to help. After some practice let us see what you are getting and we can give some advice. The biggest thing is as you said study and learn your camera, Know your manual front to back.

Love your response.

Most every I go, except to work (can’t have one there) I will not leave it in the car for long periods of time. Heat and theft is a big concern.

Yes you did say you would like to learn. Where the miss interruption came in is the title Senior portrait. This kind of made me believe the same as CaptainC responded to until I re-read the post. There are so many people now days that think just because they have a DSLR they are a professional (This takes may years). Just be a little more careful with your wording.
Now back to your question. Are you wanting to do traditional more formal Portraits or the more casual showing the seniors personality? Indoors or outdoors with or without natural lighting?
The 85mm lens will be fine as a starter lens. You can start outside with natural lighting and an assistant holding a reflector to get a little light to the places that is needed. Remember the eyes this can make or break a portrait. Use a large aperture (small f number) in order to blur the background.
Every thing has to do with the style you want.
This is just a beginning. Do searches online to see how others are posing and try to duplicate. There are many books and post on Portrait work.
Come back to us with some more information of what you want and we do what we can to help.