Disposable Wedding Camera Tips

Your wedding photographer is paid to get stylish shots of you and your bridal party.  If you want to capture your wedding through your guests’ eyes, handing out single use cameras is a fantastic way to get some candid shots. If you are planning on using disposable cameras, here are ten tips on getting great photos:

• 01. Disposable cameras are available in a staggering range of colours and styles, from elegant gold to white with pink polka dots, so spend some time looking for a camera that really fits in with your wedding theme, and will look good on your dining tables. When you find a design you like, buy a single camera and test it to make sure the camera quality is as good as the design.
• 02. There are plenty of cameras designed with weddings in mind, with heart patterns and wedding bell motifs. While these can be really pretty, they can also be quite pricey and don’t usually produce better quality photos than standard cameras, so check out what else is available if you want to save money.
• 03. If you are on a budget, buying in bulk works out a lot cheaper than buying individual cameras, even if you then end up with too many. Try to get processing included in the package as this can save you money in the long run.
• 04. Don’t overdo the cameras; if every guest has one you will end up with a lot of unused exposures. One camera for every four guests is a good rule of thumb. For variety you could alternate between disposable cameras and single use camcorders on the tables.
• 05. Most couples limit the disposable cameras to the wedding reception, but you could also ask an usher to hand a few out during the ceremony, the drinks reception, and the party afterwards to make sure you get snaps of the whole day.
• 06. If you place cameras on the table, make a specific guest responsible for each camera. Put the camera in their place setting and leave them a note asking them to help you out by taking pictures during the reception and to make sure all the pictures are used. Cameras designed specifically for weddings usually come with standard notes to leave for your guest, but a handwritten note is more personal.
• 07. Don’t be afraid to give cameras to children if you are inviting them to your wedding. Of course you may get a few shots of the floor as they learn how to use them, but you might also get some classic shots of your wedding through a child’s eyes.
• 08. Make a member of your wedding party responsible for collecting up the cameras at the end of the night. When your father makes a speech and thanks the guests for coming, ask him to mention the cameras and ask the guests to give them to the designated person when they are finished so they don’t get lost.
• 09. When you have the photos processed, make sure you ask for two sets, or have them put onto CD. That way you can use them in thank you cards or hand them out to guests and still keep a set for yourself.
• 10. Be realistic about the pictures you will get from the disposable cameras. Your photographer is there to take stunning shots of you looking gorgeous in your bridal gown, the single use cameras are there to capture funny moments in the day and to get silly shots of your family and friends having a great time at your wedding.