Maternity Session lighting?

[NicoleScraps]

I am going to be doing a maternity session (1st one for practice) this weekend and I am pretty worried about my lighting situation.
I plan to do most of the photos outdoor which is not the issue. I wanted to do a few of her indoors though, like leaning against a window or laying across her bed, etc. My problem is that I have no source of lighting other than my on camera flash. I am hoping that enough light will be coming through the windows but I cannot allow myself to count on that.
I do not love the results that I get with my on camera. It is basically useless, IMO. My biggest complaint about it is the colors. It seems to destroy any good coloring from the photo and make it look unnatural.
I am trying to think of ways to improvise for lighting. Yes, I have certain items on my wish list, but everything is so expensive.
If I were to set up some sort of continuous lighting what kind of results could I expect? I was thinking maybe a lamp, regular household lamp with a very bright white bulb and no lampshade. Then I was thinking that I could diffuse it a bit with something, I don't know what yet.
Luckily, this lady is a friend and knows that I am learning, cause I would not take this approach with a paying client.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

[pcressey]

Do you have a camera store nearby where you can rent? Jump to a store and rent a Canon Speedlite 580EX II with a diffuser and bounce the flash off the ceiling or walls depending how you want the lighting.

Set the camera to Aperture priority and you should come away with some a good stuff.

[candidrachel]

I'm no lighting expert Nicole but I would have thought a normal household lamp with white lampshade would be better than no shade at all to diffuse the light a bit like a speedlight shooting through an umbrella.

This'll make you chuckle but I don't have any pregnant friends right now so I was thinking about practicing on my husbands beer belly! He looks like he's 8 or 9 months preggers LOL!

BTW some lighting equipment isn't that expensive if you get a bundle just for beginners. I got a lightstand, umbrella adapter, umbrella, remote triggers and bogen clamp for around £120 ( around $190) from Amazon

[NicoleScraps]

No, I do not have a camera store nearby. I wish. The closest one is a 2 hour drive.
I feel like I am ready to look into some lighting options. Everyone says to wait until you know what you need before you start to buy stuff. Well, I need some lighting for indoors. Hubby told me just to buy something, whatever I need. That's not going to help me tomorrow though.

[SuperDan]

how did it go?

[SuperDan]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

This'll make you chuckle but I don't have any pregnant friends right now so I was thinking about practicing on my husbands beer belly! He looks like he's 8 or 9 months preggers LOL!

that HILARIOUS! but, as someone who was overweight for a long time... be careful