Do I need more than one battery for my Nikon d3100?

I have one battery but I completely drained it in like 45 mins filming some of my friends band concert. (like five four-five min videos) I'm going on vacation in May and I really don't wanna loose battery while at an all day event and unable to charge. Wouldn't it be nice if I could just pull out a second fully charged ready to use battery from my purse? I think yes.
Your thoughts?

Is the Nikon D3100 good for SLR amateurs?

I'm a hiker, boatie and traveller so I have decided to get into SLR photography. However, i have had no experience with SLRs.

The things i want to be able to do with the camera are:
- take night time photos
- take close up photos of lizards and frogs
- take panoramic photos (however i heard that stitching the wide angle photos are much better than built in panorama)
- take photos of the stars

Added (1). I need to take several pictures on a tripod and then stitch them on photoshop, right?

Added (2). I need to take several pictures on a tripod and then stitch them on photoshop, right?

Shooting with Nikkor 55-300mm Lens?

I've recently got the Nikon D5100 along with the 18-55mm Kit Lens and the Nikkor 55-300mm VR Lens.

(1) My question is when shooting close objects in P mode (for example a cup of coffee and some biscuits on a table = Food Photography) with the 55-300mm lens, it focuses correctly to the objects but when pressing the shutter it doesn't take the picture, any ideas why?

* The lens has AF and VR set to ON.
* The camera is on P mode
* It's my first time to use a DSLR.

(2) When selecting the Continuous Shooting from the menu while in P mode, sometimes it doesn't take multiple pictures, as if you shot a single frame.

Appreciate you help.

Thanks in advance, Ayhamov. (twitter.com/ayhamov)

Added (1). DAN:
Yes, I'm sure about the continuous shooting, it's as long as you press the shutter button it takes up to 4 frames per second.

Added (2). DAN:
Yes, I'm sure about the continuous shooting, it's as long as you press the shutter button it takes up to 4 frames per second.

What do I need to make a Nikon D3100 ready to shoot?

Well i'm about to buy a Nikon D3100 but I need to know what I have to buy for it. The minimum requirements! Like do I need to buy a battery or a memory. Then what kind of memory. Also does Best Buy sell it in stores or just online? I WANT THE RED ONE.

Which SLR camera should a buy?

I really need a new camera. I don't want to get a little portable digital camera. I really want to get a SLR camera. I'm new to these types of cameras and I'm not 100% sure where to start looking. I went to a shop the other day and a guy there suggested the Nikon D3100? I was watching some test video's an YouTube and the quality is really good!
As long as the picture quality is 'crisp' and is can record a good quality video I'm happy. I just don't know where to start/ what to look for.
If you could please help me out that'd be amazing!

DSLR's to get for entry level?

I'm between 3, (in reality 2 but I'm open)
-Nikon D5100
-Sony A55
-Canon Rebel t2i
What do you think it best? What are your reasons though? What brand do you prefer? I'm leaning towards that Rebel but the a55 does have better specs… Then again the big names are Canon and Nikon. Also since they all come with 18-55mm, I'm going to Europe (Places like Paris, London, Madrid, Italy etc) Should I get a bigger lens? I want to spend $800 max. No more really, I don't see the point since I'm starting. I like Canon cause they are more open to lenses being switchable, but I never owned a DSLR but I know how to use them well. Also what other cameras do you guys like?

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens vs Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX?

I want to take pictures for my rings. Could anyone tell me which one is better, Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens, Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX? I'm a newbie and have Nikon D90 so please explain for me a little detail.

Will the Yongnuo rf-603 triggers work with nissin di622 mkii?

I have a nissin di622 mkii and I'm looking to purchase a cheap trigger for off camera flash. I'm looking into the Yongnuo rf-603's but there seems no definitive answer as to whether it works with it. I have a Nikon D90 by the way.

I need advice on portrait lighting equipment?

I'm fairly new to the world of photography and recently started receiving a lot of compliments on my work so far, I have even had a few people email me to set up photo shoots, and after looking at my work so far, they are willing to donate a decent amount of money. So my question is, I have an entry level Nikon D5100 and I was wondering what is the best lighting kit I can use to get great portrait shots indoors and out. Any custom equipment list would be greatly appreciated as well.

I'm a full time student and single father to two kids so I'm extremely limited on my budget. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Added (1). This work really inspired me so these are the results I would like to get.

Which cable do I use for iMovie HD?

I looked at the manual for the iMovie and it said I need a firewire cable in order to film a vide with my camera. But I also looked into what a HDMI cable does and it seems like it does the same so which one do I use in order to film a video using my dslr through iMovie?

*I have a NIKON D3100 DSLR*

Added (1). Laura,

So if I get the firewire, is it possible to connect it to the DSLR? Which port do I connect the wire into for the camera? ( A/V Out?) Does this firewire cable allow me to see whatever I film on the iMovie app live? Which one records sound and which one records video? Or is it like.camera is only used for having the quality and my computer itself records the video and sound?