HELP! Graduation party tips?

[mobaig]

Hi guys,

First-time poster but been browsing the DPS site for months.

I've been asked to shoot a small graduation party on Friday night and I'm very nervous for a couple of reasons......it's my first paid gig (!) and depending on the results, I have a good chance of being asked to do a wedding for the same family. So no pressure

My kit is:
D40X with Nikkor 35mm f1.8G
D60 with Sigma 18-200mm OS HSM
Nikon SB-600 Flash
Reflector
Tripod

The party is indoors, at night at the family home and there will be about 30 people there.

I've studied lots of portrait stuff here on DPS and have found it imensely valuable.

I was hoping to do a mix of formal/informal shots but am looking for ideas that would make the shots different while retaining the focus on the graduation aspect.

Aside from the usual graduate portraits with her in the gown, mortarboard, holding the degree), can you suggest any different/offbeat compositions that would make the pics stand out and be different from the usual sort of thing?

A couple of ideas I had were to take group shots looking down while the graduate is at the center of the group and also to use the 35mm lens to create some cool DOF effects.

Would you ALWAYS use the tripod in these circumstances, for example?

Any and all tips gratefully received and many thanks in advance.

Cheers, Mo

[konrad]

You have to remember that it will be a party, so using a tripod for every shot might not only disturb the guests who will be walking around, but it will also heavily influence your flexibility of moving and finding good shots.
Concerning the typical pictures (in a gown, with a diploma, etc) - I would try to make them 'not typical' by creatively using extra light (i.e. SB-600). Try to position it to the site, from the top, bottom etc. - basically take it off from the hot-shoe!
For other pictures, I would suggest to use large aperture (small f) for at least two reasons: since the party will be indoor, you might have problems with having enough light. Secondly, shallow depth of field will give this extra mystery/interest/or however you call it to the pictures ohh and try of course candid pictures, when people talk with each other, laugh etc and for these candid pictures use as small F as possible.