How to focus night time portraits

I'm hoping someone can provide me with some good advice.  If you are taking a portrait of someone at night where there is little light, how do you get a sharp focus?  I'm using a flash on my D7100, so the light doesn't come till I fire the camera. 

I was thinking about bringing a flash light and flashing on my subject, focusing, then taking the shot. However that would only work if they are still.  Plus I was hoping there might be an easier way.  

Please let me know what I should be doing.  Thank you.

Mason

Using a flashlight works and It is probably the most tride and true method, just try to slow the model down a bit, and you'll be able to get the shot. 

The "non-pro" models have a red focus assist light. Barring that, use a low-power flashlight to act as a modeling light.

I would not be trying to do a portrait at night without more lighting support, myself.

I would just use the flash light, focus and take the shot.  Or depending on how far the projected path of your subject (for those moving)  Set up a test focus distance ahead of time, don't touch it till they are passing and take the shot.  

garyrhook wrote: The "non-pro" models have a red focus assist light. Barring that, use a low-power flashlight to act as a modeling light.

I would not be trying to do a portrait at night without more lighting support, myself.

So you're saying pro models don't have focus assist? A lot of folks will be surprised to hear that their Nikon Speedlights are not pro equipment. I think you need to rethink that statement.

Shadowfixer1 wrote:

garyrhook wrote: The "non-pro" models have a red focus assist light. Barring that, use a low-power flashlight to act as a modeling light.

I would not be trying to do a portrait at night without more lighting support, myself.

So you're saying pro models don't have focus assist? A lot of folks will be surprised to hear that their Nikon Speedlights are not pro equipment. I think you need to rethink that statement.

Wow, you totally missed that one.

I've been annoyed at other threads where some folks make decisions on what is or is not a "pro" feature for a camera. As if there's one rule for that. My implication is not that a focus assist is not a pro feature, my implication is that any camera can have useful features, no matter what their product positioning is.  For entry-level cameras you often find this particular one on-camera; as you point out, it's also found on speedlights.

So, no, I'm not saying that at all.

garyrhook wrote:

Shadowfixer1 wrote:

garyrhook wrote: The "non-pro" models have a red focus assist light. Barring that, use a low-power flashlight to act as a modeling light.

I would not be trying to do a portrait at night without more lighting support, myself.

So you're saying pro models don't have focus assist? A lot of folks will be surprised to hear that their Nikon Speedlights are not pro equipment. I think you need to rethink that statement.

Wow, you totally missed that one.

I've been annoyed at other threads where some folks make decisions on what is or is not a "pro" feature for a camera. As if there's one rule for that. My implication is not that a focus assist is not a pro feature, my implication is that any camera can have useful features, no matter what their product positioning is.  For entry-level cameras you often find this particular one on-camera; as you point out, it's also found on speedlights.

So, no, I'm not saying that at all.

My apologies but that's what your statement meant to me. It seemed to imply that only "non-pro" models have a red focus assist light. Whatever "pro" equipment is. All equipment is pro equipment in the right hands but I do understand what people mean when they refer to pro equipment.

Well I'm going to take your advice and just keep using my trusty flash light then.  Thank you all for your help.  BTW what areas of photography do you all enjoy the most? 

Glow sticks work good for this too

Hey thanks everyone.  This worked just as you said.  

Shadowfixer1 wrote: My apologies but that's what your statement meant to me. It seemed to imply that only "non-pro" models have a red focus assist light. Whatever "pro" equipment is. All equipment is pro equipment in the right hands but I do understand what people mean when they refer to pro equipment.

Understood.

Perhaps I shall henceforth use <snark></snark> tags on my posts to clarify my mood and tone. That might a good idea...