Ah, the trend is finally starting to fade into history much like the dinosaur dollar dance. You will still find them every once in a while; disposable cameras neatly placed alongside the floral centerpieces just begging to be used. Or should I say misused?

It’s not that I mind that other people are able to take pictures alongside of me. I call that free back up for the wedding couple. It’s just that 90% of the people who shanghai the cameras don’t seem to know how to use the cameras. They forget or don’t understand how to use the flash which needs to be charged after each shot. Unless your reception’s taking place outdoors, (and there aren’t too many brave brides out there willing to risk that), the lighting at the hall will require a decent flash.

Wedding couples tell me that the disposable cameras generally yield one useable photograph per roll. That means a couple could end up paying $5 for the camera, and $15 for processing in order to get one picture; not a great value overall. Besides, children are often the ones who nab the cameras and tend to photograph strange things like bathroom floors and the DJ’s cool lights. I know that’s what I found enthralling when I was a young shooter!

Begone Disposable Camera!

Here’s a better way to accomplish what you were hoping the disposables would: have your fiancé and yourself divvy up all the wedding guests so that all the various factions are clumped into groups; his family, your family, your college friends, his work friends, etc. Afterwards, figure out whom in each group is a shutterbug; pick up the phone, call them and ask them to bring their camera with them to the reception. They can send you a disk with the images afterwards.

They’ll be flattered and you know they were going to bring their camera anyway. You’re acknowledging their skills and they’ll probably get their images to you in a timely fashion. This way they’re bringing their familiar cameras, and the quality of the images are much better than what you’d get with disposables. Disposable cameras are so... turn of the millennium. The digital age is completely at our doorstep. Now that you’ve solved that problem, you might want to consider how to deal with all the cameras that will engulf you during your wedding day.

Observe the "Wedding Photographers"

Each year more and more guests are bringing cameras to the wedding. As strange as this sounds, they’re getting more and more aggressive with their shooting! I personally give my couples all the images and don’t make any profit on reprints, so it’s not taking away from my business at all to have everyone shooting along with me. However, it’s getting harder and harder to actually get clean shots.

The next time you attend a wedding, take a peek at the aisle as the bride makes her entrance. Watch as the guests step into the aisle to get their shots. Observe, as they all salute the bride with their cell phones extended. See the photographer cringe! I’m a photojournalist by trade, and I am used to rubbing elbows (literally) with other photographers while trying to get a clean shot. I try to achieve a shot that looks like I was the only one lucky enough to capture an intimate moment.

Weddings are starting to resemble the New Hampshire Primaries I used to cover for the Associated Press. Presidential wannabes came to the state and the world’s press flocked to our frozen state to capture their every move and every gaffe. Brides are stopped heading down the aisle by aunts, their first dances are halted for “quickie” cell phone photos and from the flashes, you’d think Lindsey Lohan might actually be IN the cake they’re cutting.

A Wedding Photographer's Last Resort

Some couples are resorting to announcements at the ceremony and many officiants are putting the kibosh on photos altogether. I always tell the couple that if it presents a problem, feel free to blame me: have an announcement made that only the wedding photographer can take pictures. I may receive many glares, but its’ worth it when the couple is happier without the interruptions: a photo moment could then be captured!

About the Author: Marci Curtis - MI, Michigan

With over 400 wedding shoots in 15 years, Marci is a veteran wedding photographer. After working for the Associated Press as a photojournalist in New Hampshire for six and a half years, Marci returned to Michigan with two small children. Marci is also an accomplished children's book author. Since her first book "Big Sister, Little Sister", Marci has published two more photo illustrative books with over 150,000 copies in print. You may view her Wedding Photojournalist Bio, Wedding Photography Portfolio, and Michigan, MI Wedding Photographer Index.

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