Photography tips for beginners?

I'm a beginner at photography. I'm going to be doing a senior photo shoot soon, and was wondering if there's any really good tips for me so my friend will be completely satisfied with the way the pictures turn out.

I will be using my Nikon D5000 with 18-55 mm lens for this shoot

Any tips?

Well, photography is a science and an art. As such, there's so much learn and much experience to be had to develop one's skills. Where to begin?

Well, just make sure to have lots of light (natural light is best), and also do several takes of the same shot. That about covers the basics until you get formal training and more experience.

Let them know that you know nothing about short light, or broad light.
Tell them you don't know a feminine tilt from a masculine tilt.
Tell them that you don't know how to take away any extra pounds, or minimize any of their less flattering features.
Tell them you really don't have the right liens for the job, and that if you use the lens you have incorrectly, it could actually add weight to them.
Tell them that they will have these photos for the rest of their lives.then, tell them that in 20 years they may wish they had hired a professional, but of course it will be too late.
Tell them that you don't have a backup equipment.
Tell them that if your LCD goes out, you don't have a clue as to whether or not you got a good photo.

IF you still shoot it,
- use a shaded area,
- Lens set at the 55mm setting for all the shots.
- avoid distracting backgrounds.
- get in close,
- get even closer.
- DON"T have them stand straight on facing you, but turn them slightly.
- try poses where they are sitting down.
- Look at senior photography sites for poses.
- If they are wearing dark clothes, don't have them against a dark background unless they are clearly separated from background by distance, texture, color, or backlight.
- focus on them, not checking out each image as you shoot it.
- Shoot late in the afternoon, and avoid all direct sun.

1) Try out newer angles… Ie not the characteristic *show teeth, look at another direction* type portraits.
2) try to use Natural Light more
3) Try to capture candid moments when people are sharing jokes or laughting naturally… Not pozed ones.
4) The essence of a good photographer is not to let others feel you are there… If you do that you get too many pozed shots…
5) I think you know the rules how to make the DOF come or go.lol