Camera? I'm taking my own senior pictures?

I don't want someone else to do it so that i can go to a lot of different places and change my clothes more. I'm thinking about getting a nikon d100 6mp digital SLR camera. But suggestions would be appreciated.

What lens is the most flattering for close-ups, and which lens would you use for full length?

Are you going to use limited depth of field in some photos?

Do you look better in broad lighting or short lighting?

Will you follow the rule of thirds?

Are you going to maintain your specular highlights in the skin, or let them blow out.

Will you do some high key and some low key?

Are you going to mix masculine and feminine posing?

How much experience do you have in the posing of hands and feet?

Will you use a gray card or an ExpoDisk for your white balance?

A senior photo is a big deal, why don't you want a professional to do it?

The d100 is over 10 years old… There's technically nothing WRONG with the camera model itself but the actual camre you will get will have been used for over a decade… I would not buy a 10 year old, used camera… Unless they were selling it for 25$ or something as ridiculously low.

You have no idea what's been done to this camera, how well the battery maintains it's charge, what abuse the lens has suffered… So unless i's ridiculously cheap, skip it.

You can get yourself a decent point and shoot, bridge or DSLR from anywhere from 200$ (decent point and shoot Canon Powershot 130) up to 600$ (entry level DSLR like a D3100 or Canon Rebel T3) … Brand new from the store with a warranty and everything.

If you are taking shots of yourself, you'll need a tripod and potentially a remote trigger.

Just be aware that there's more to photography than just owning a nice camera and that you WILL be disappointed with the pictures you will be taking.

As Eric stated, the D100 is 10 years old. That doesn't make it a bad camera, but save your money for a newer camera. You know that you'll also need a lens for it?

I wouldn't recommend taking your own pictures, either. Your friends will have nice pictures and you'll be stuck with your pictures… Despite what most teenagers think, buying a DSLR will not magically enable you to take good pictures.

If you want, use a regular P&S camera and just take some quick pictures of yourself wearing different outfits so you know what you want to wear when it comes time to have your photos taken.

Ok, I"m telling you right now,
I'm going to be a senior as well this school year and I run my own self employed photography business in Alaska, its going very well (I have a Nikon D90, great camera). And I thought to myself "why don't I just take my own senior photos? ".
The more I thought about it, the less appealing it was to me.
I'm sure where you live there are access to some really great photographers out there (in the town I live in, I only know of a few) who I'm sure can capture your sense of style and personality in a photograph.
Taking your own photos, no offense (and I know this) is kind of like camera whoring on yourself. It's not necessarily the worst thing in the world, but having someone else professionally take them isn't a bad idea at all!
I mean again, where you probably live, there are probably a LOT of great photographers who don't charge a lot and their photos turn out stunning! Plus on a regular, professional shoot, you're ALLOWED to have multiple clothing changes. Hey I'm telling you, photographers don't mind, seriously It adds great variety and plus they don't care what you wear! Just be yourself and have fun!
Plus, if you're worried about a professional taking them, heres a few things you can do:
1. Find a local photographer in your city area that takes great photos/isn't too expensive
2. Meet up with the photographer at a cafe or something and chat about what you want your photos to look like, tell them your concerns, how many outfits/changes you want to put on and take photos with, etc.
3. Find inspiration photos of portraits, modeling shots, fashion photography, and find one that speaks to you. Senior portraits are all about capturing your personality, style and who you are into one photograph. It's your shoot, do what you want!

I'm really excited to get mine done by someone else and not just take them myself. Plus, it's a really nice to see other photographer's style.

Hope this helped!

You should be your own lawyer, as well. Especially in a criminal defense situation.
Cut your own hair.
Give yourself your own fillings.
Perform open-heart surgery on yourself.
Get the picture?