Business headshots

[falafelicious]

I work in a small department at a public university that has about 10-15 full-time staff. I designed their website and my boyfriend (who also works there) recently volunteered me to do a portrait shoot to replace everyone's headshots on the site. This is going to happen at the next unit meeting, which is May 7th.

I am sure I can do a better job than what they have currently, but I am kind of panicking because I don't think I am prepared for this type of shoot. I usually work outdoors or somewhere inside with lots of natural light, however the building we work in is quite ugly with very little sunlight. I don't have an external flash either.

On top of all this they want me to do a group shot, and my widest lens is 50mm

If anyone has any suggestions on what to do I would appreciate it. Should I make a softbox and use my on-board flash? Should I try to get them to go outside? There will be food at the meeting so getting them to leave the building may be a difficult task...

[Dodgeinart]

I would say to drag them outside with a blank wall as the canvass, definitely outside for the group shot. And if you are still confined, or it is raining you can use stairs if available. Have them use those as risers so you can see all their faces. If not stand on top of something, ladder, car, you annoying co-worker, your boyfriend for getting you into this, whatever is available.
For the head shot just avoid the "mug shot" look and judging by the photos on you Flickr you'll do fine. Perhaps bring a small cloth for a backdrop just in case you can't find a good space there. Yes you might want to diffuse your pop up flash if you cannot get them all outside.
But always have fun

[pjflan7]

I have a gary fong pop up diffuser ($20) made for us poor folk who have no external flash...does a wonderful job. I suspect with a group shot, your flash will not travel far enough anyways so head outside...If you stack people in rows, watch your depth of field so everybody's in focus......another suggestion have everyone close their eyes before you hit the shutter...count to three and have everyone open their eyes. It helps reduce chance of shut eye ruining a group shot