[stepheno]

For starters I would seriously try to solve the backdrop problem otherwise your subject will get lost in the general b/g. Even a couple of white sheets blutacked to a wall is better than nothing.

I generally use a 50mm f1.8 for portraits and in your case the 18-55 would probably be best although, I note, it only opens up to 5.6 which is maybe even more reason for the sheets. I'll leave the lighting side for someone else and take my words with a pinch of salt since I've not done a shoot like that.