Dave, the successful photographer is the prepared photographer.
I'd hate to do this kind of work without controllable light, but hey, knock yourself out.
Recon the location at the time of day you're expected to shoot. Measure your space and set the location of the backdrop. Make certain you have enough room to set the subject 3 to 5 feet in front of the backdrop. Measure to that spot and write it down. Then ascertain where you want your tripod, depending on planned lens.
Like Bill said, if you are going to use window light, find some way to diffuse it, and get a reflecting material for the other side.
Check your clearances. Moving fluidly around the tripod and past the reflector/lights/whatever is easier if you have the room to do it. Too tight a space and you risk disaster as well as loss of concentration.
If you are able, go ahead and mark the floor for the locations of all your stuff: backdrop, subject spot, reflector, tripod, camera bag, etc. Set up is much smoother if you already know where everything goes. At the least, make a map that you can refer to on shooting day.
If you are going to use a big backdrop that will also serve as floor cover, so you can't see where your subject spot is, measure and cut a length of string, tie one end to your tripod, then use that to position the subjects. Note: Do NOT let anyone else grab that string. (!)
Use enough DOF to account for slight movement on the part of the subject. I wouldn't use anything slower than 1/60sec shutter speed (1/125sec probably better for quick animals), and with any luck you can drag f/11 out of the available light. Being able to change ISO on the fly is really cool here.
One of my most memorable sittings was with a woman who was a blinker, her lazy-eyed husband, and their Akita. I still have nightmares about that one.
Been there, done that, Dave. If you have more questions, fire away. Doug
