Most pro will not give you their files. That is where they make their money.
2nd the files do not belong to you.
3rd if you want the files go to someone that freelance.
4th you get what your paying
5th pros spent years learning their craft

Since shooting digital, I will never buy batteries or memory cards from only Adarama or B & H.
These stores will tell you up front if the items are third party or not.
On these two items I never buy anythings that not made by Nikon.
If you remember a few years back Nikon had problem. They notify everyone that purchased their batteries of the problem.
Do you think a third party would?

Are you shooting for the school? If yes then you charge a shooting fee.
For 15 children I would charge no more than $60 PER HOUR.
Keep the price down. You might get other schools
The money made are on print sale not shooting. Remember if third to half order. You made good profit on the day.

At least 15 times the cost of your prints. Also do not print them yourself.
Let a pro lab do the work. You could also make packages (such as 1-8x10, 1-5x7 and 2-3 1/2x5) See the labs packages and prices.
Also when shooting a new person. take a chalk board and write down the person's name and shoot it first.

Roger
Are you driving? If so take it all. If you do not have a wide angle lens or zoom?
Great park. Be sure you do the sand dunes early and late.
excellent shadows.
Artist palette and the lake. Bring WATER.

Abby
5th Ave is one of the greatness streets in the world. Along the way you have colleges, museums, synagogue, churches,Rockefeller Center, JEWELERY stores, shops, Madison Park, the Flat Iron building and more.
Don;t limit yourself only to the CITY. Try Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island and Queens.
You will be surprise of the other photo op. Visiting this great city unfortunately, you need so much time.
In the summer don't forget the METS.

Floridamet

Have a great trip. You can't go wrong with Sigma.

better quality off glass. Better built. Pro model. Sharper

what camera?
try buying use (Adarama E category lenses are like brand new)
look for the f/2.8 80-200mm lens. Its not the newest but sharp

I have the Nikon D300, I also waited for the replacement. I didn't want to purchase the Nikon D7100 only because, I have so many compact flash cards.
I gave up and bought the Nikon D800. I still use my Nikon D300 when I need great magnification. Such as sport, birds etc.
I use the Nikon D800 for portraits and landscape. The reason I bought the Nikon D800. I have a lot of prime lenses and also some fast Nikon zooms.
The Nikon D7100, I think is the replacement to the Nikon D300s.
Hope this helps

Why do you want to shoot flash manual mode?
If you want to darken the background use a high shutter speed and stop down.
For better lighting take the speedlight off the hot shoe.
If you want to use the speedlight for fill light. Set the speedlight to minus (on the speedlight to about -1)
With the modern advance in flash technology, use TTL, from this old timer there nothing like it.

Sigma makes very fine lenses. The ones I use the most on DX cameras are 17-50 f/2.8 and 50-150mm f/2.8.
Never had a problem. But remember these lenses are fast and excellent quality. Also you get what you are paying.
On my FX camera, I use my old Nikon 17-35mm AF f/2.8, Nikon 35-70 AF f/2.8 and Nikon 80-200mm AF f/2.8.
I know it hard but stop down a little (f/3.5-4) or use the sweet spot f/8.

flodiamet

Never put the camera on AUTO. Use aperture mode or manual.
Using auto your white balance and skin tones will be all over the place.
In days of old (FILM) everything we did was manual. Such as focusing, using light meters and ASA (ISO you set your meter once to that ASA and take reading during the day)
If shooting outdoors you will see what I mean.
The reason I didn't mention a second person. In the old days I had a light person.
If using speedlights on Nikon you can set it in the custom menu.

Floridamet

!st Look at a good pro wedding photographers work
2nd make list (group shots}
3rd find out the rules of the ceremony (stay in the rules)
4th If you have no experience, SHOOT Heavy
5th Be sure you take full length, three-quarter and close-up. Family, bridal party, bride, groom, parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, etc
6th use diffuse light as much as possible
7th use reflector for fill light
8th if using speedlights take off the hot shoe
9th have a backup
10th don't be nervous
11 you might like it
12 if you have any questions
Floridamet

Rocky
Try calling Adarama used department. Look for Nikon 80-400mm AF VR,
buy only in E category. Its like brand new but older version (your camera won't know) If your Nikon is a DX this lens 600mm long.
I don't shoot birds that often. I learned from excellent bird photographers in my camera clubs.
Use manual mode. Get your exposure from mid-tone, set AF to single spot, use CH and shoot at a shutter speed of 1/2000 or higher for birds in flight.

Floridamet

I don't know what type of photography you are selling. If you can't make a profit, try a different path for your photography business.
In the far past I shot weddings, affairs and portraits. If you are good at this type of photography.
There still a demand for good photographers. Don't sell yourself short.
Since digital wedding, the quality has gone down. But their is some excellent photographers.
If you don't do weddings, take a course. If you live in a big city. See who work you like, see if they give courses or be an assistant to them.

Floridamet