advice on photographing senior girl

[photosnappr]

I need some advice. I'm going to be doing senior portraits for a girl tomorrow evening. I live in Montana and will be photographing from around 7 p.m. til close to dark. One of the areas I'm shooting in has no shade, but she wants photo's done there because of the gardens. Any ideas on how to get great shots of her well lit but not have her squinting? By that time the sun wont be too bright but it could still be bright enough to make her squint. Should I have the sun behind her? I don't have any reflectors, and I'll be using a Canon Rebel XS with an 18-55mm and a 28-80mm lens (thats all I have). Any suggestions are more than welcome! I have less than 24 hours now til the shoot! Thanks!
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[BigVinnie]

Have her start by looking down and then have her bring her eyes up to you. When they are right take the shot. Does not give her time to squint.

However, I don't recommend shooting in the scenario you describe.

You really need something to diffuse the light. A big 52" diffusion disk is a fantastic tool. You should have one in your modifier arsenal. A big bedsheet works as well.

Get someone to assist you.

[photosnappr]

If I use a bedsheet, do I place it to the left or right of her? Or does it matter? I'm not new to photography, but I'm not expert either. Thanks for your advice, I'm going to photograph her at this location as close to the end of the shoot as possible, so the light isn't as harsh. The rest of the photo's will be taken in an urban setting, around town.

[SuperDan]

although, I didnt really like reading this post twice... in the same forum...

my thoughts are that, this event takes place tonight... i would get there a little earlier than she does and set up some of your shots...
i would bring your flash and hook that baby up for fill ...
the reflector is a great idea, and if you dont have one... just buy it.. its only $25 or buy yourself some white poster board temporarily....

if she is wanting this garden i wouldve went the night before the shoot, around the same time to scope it out...

also, you are looking to photograph her around that "golden hour" ... i specifically did a shoot a week or so ago at that time of night, because that was the light I wanted.

yes to the sun behind her, but be careful on putting directly behind her, as then you are going to have all of them under exposed or all silhouette... but i would also have some with her with the sun behind you to light her properly

take a look at my flickr to see some of mine from shoot from 7-1 Flickr: dcketcham's Photostream

just have fun and think of it as a true learning experience....

[photosnappr]

Thanks for your advice Superdan, and I just want to mention that I did not mean to post this question twice, let alone in the same forum, it was a mistake. About the external flash, I do not have one of those either, I'm just starting out on a budget and only have the Canon Rebel XS body, a sigma 28-80, a canon 18-55 and a canon 55-250 lens. And the reflector, I can't just "go buy one". There are no camera shops where I live, and the closest one is 90 miles away, which I cannot get to today before the shoot. I plan on making a trip out of town to go to a camera shop and get a few things, but for now I'll have to make do with what I have. I am not charging this girl as I'm trying to build a portfolio and gain experience. Thank you again for your advice and I will try to make this work as best as I can to my advantage. Thanks again.