Here is a reason to stay away from wide angles.

http://neilvn.com/tangents/2012/02/06/composition-for-full-length-portraits/

Same applies to head shots, distortion. [big noses especially]

Stick with 70+ mm. On a full frame around the 100mm mark is very nice, I've found, space permitting.

Trev

David, further to the sound advise written above (also note that ears appear to be pushed to the back of the subject's head - particularly bad news for ear rings) be careful that the subjects don't get too tall, as this will inadvertently make them look less feminine. You might not notice this when shooting - especially if you are used to shooting tall females - but the genetic height and features can spoil an otherwise convincing illusion.

Good luck and I hope your wife's make up business becomes permanent.

Thanks guy's, I'm also wondering how best to light them!!! I'm wondering wether to use natural light with off camera flash or just to rely on soft window light, any suggestions would be most helpful.
David.

Is it ok to link Strobist pages here? I don't want to conflict with Neil's site, but David (Strobist) has some really good pages on some simple headshot techniques. Obviously he uses flash as opposed to natural light. The headshot in a corner is simple and works amazingly well. You can take it from there:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/04/lighting-101-headshot-in-corner.html
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/08/lighting-102-specular-background.html
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/12/on-assignment-photography-for-social.html
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/06/boot-camp-ii-first-assignment.html

Edit - sorry, I guess I saw headshots in a couple of the comments above and thought that you were looking to just take headshots. Just re-read your first post. Still, you could use the same basic technique for a safe reliable shots, then get a little more creative. If you've got a mansion at your disposal, you should use it.

Thanks stronoob, it's all helpful stuff!!!!

StroNoob .. sure, no problem at all in linking to external links. :)
It's all about learning and helping each other here. Thanks!

David .. what camera body do you have?
I always thought the 80-200 focal length is a little too tight on a cropped-sensor camera.

Hi Neil,
I own a d700, which was a big chunk of money for me, but i wanted to start my career with a great camera, however getting the money together in a short space of time for top lenses i.e 70-200 was out of my reach, so, unfortunately had to compromise with a 2nd hand 80-200. I do love the results it's given me though. My shoot is at the end of this month so time is ticking. Any thought's Neil?

P.S. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge......it's been invaluable.

It's a fine lens ... but the lack of Vibration Reduction would make me hesitant in ploughing any money into it.

Would it be your preference neil? I only have a limited range of lenses and I want to get good results from my before and after head shots (close up) as it will be showing off there make-up.

a STRONG preference for an IS / VR lens.

Check the examples here where I handheld at 1/30

http://neilvn.com/tangents/2011/01/25/flash-photography-during-the-wedding-ceremony-in-church/

Thanks Neil, I've read your site from top to tail and really enjoy learning from you. I've decided to photograph my head shots by positioning my subjects inside the reception part of the building where there is plenty of daylight coming through and use a large softbox slightly above with a reflector underneath the subject to bounce light back into the face, using my 80-200 2.8.

In the end I Positioned the staff shots inside the main entrance and used off camera flash then photographed donna outside using the same off camera flash with 80-200 lense. I'm fairly pleased with the results.