I was there 2 months ago, besides preparing all the gears for the shoot, you will also need to plan out the time you are there, especially if you want to set up your tripod and take a good shot. The whole stretch will be jam-packed with tourist after 9-10am and continue to be so till late at night. The falls will be lighted up at night and there will be fireworks at the fall on friday and sunday night.
if you want to take your time and enjoy the fury of the falls, skip maid of the mist boat ride. on both the canadian and US side, you can go down to the bottom of the falls and feel the fury in person and take your own sweet time to set up the shots. but be warned, your camera will get very wet, especially on the american side.