Can you enjoy yourself as a guest while shooting a wedding (for fun)?

I wouldn’t be annoyed. I’m annoyed that I’m not your date Nimis, darling.

I would bring it. Even if it causes some small unpleasant interactions with other guest and a few weird looks, you might capture something beautiful for your friends. Who cares what those other people think? And if you’re worried about a place to stash it, see if the venue has a room they can keep it in. Hotels have safety deposit boxes behind the front desk for guests, and the bride or groom could set you up with that in about two minutes total. Or you could ask the bride or groom if they have a room for their things you could dump the camera in occasionally. If they get some great pictures out of it, taken by a dear friend, I doubt they’ll mind. I wouldn’t.

I first read this title in reference to ‘bang bang’ shooting.. not camera shooting.

It was very awkward.

I take my camera to social events all the time.
It’s really easy to have a good time, especially when the people you’re with recognize what you’re doing and join in. I think you’re friends who are getting married will be incredibly appreciative, especially if you make them a photo book after. Everyone enjoys looking at pics of parties they went to and stuff. I like being the guy who catches moments forever :D
I think your date might be annoyed if you ignore them and simply focus on the photography. I guess you could use it as an icebreaker though, saying “oh lets get a picture of these people and I’ll introduce them to you too”

Also, if people think you’re the photographer, take it as a compliment and say,
“no, I’m a friend but thanks for recognizing my professionalism”
lol

Or say something like: “Actually i’m a honeymoon photographer… Here’s my card.”

“How many copies of the prints can I put you down for?”

…dirty….

There’s something wrong with the squishy brain parts today.

nah, you’re just dirty : )

@nimis – I’m sure there are many people who still remember me climbing up a tree with a video camera during one wedding. I was in charge of videotaping, so I wanted to get a lot of good cutaway shots. Problem was, I forgot to actually go around and talk to the people, so most of the tape was great cutaway footage with no substance.

That too. You know you appreciate it.

Take the camera, you’ll regret it if you don’t. A little off topic, but I was at a wedding reception that had a disposable camera at each table. Everyone enjoyed taking pictures, and I’m sure the couple ended up with many wonderful candid moments caught on film.

I would take it, shoot candids of the guests, and don’t spend the whole time taking pictures.

If you’re worried about your equipment, take a smaller point and shoot, or even a disposable camera. Jonsblond is right about the disposable cameras on the tables at the reception too; my brother had them at his wedding and my family made a set of scrapbooks with the photos in them for the couple to look at when they returned from their honeymoon, which they greatly appreciated. It was a nice way to transition from the excitement of the wedding back to normal life. If you bring a smaller camera like that, you’ll spend less time composing and worrying about the technical aspect of the photos, and more time just snapping candids and experiencing the wedding as well.

Borrow a small “point and shoot” digital for this occasion. One you can keep in your pocket. You can always “fix” the pics on your computer later. If people think you’re the photographer, you’re getting in the way and may even be annoying the couple. Give your date TOP priority if there is no one else there she knows. And if you leave her alone most of the night, someone else might get her interest!

I’m a pro, and I recently attended a relative’s wedding as a guest, with my camera. The hired guy was doing his job, but I sensed he wasn’t taking the kind of shots the bride and groom would like. I casually offered to take the couple outside for some portraits. They ended up liking the pictures I shot better than the hired guy’s shots.

If you are close with the bride and groom, you’ll be able to get shots that wouldn’t be possible by a stranger. I would introduce myself to the hired guy, and make sure he doesn’t mind what you’re doing. You don’t want to spoil whatever good chemistry already exists.

And as far as enjoying yourself as a guest, if you love photography, then you should be able to have fun with a camera in your hands no matter what you are doing.

A little protocol. Definitely ask the pro first if you intend to shoot the groups he is setting up. Don’t shoot during the service unless you can be very unobtrusive, and definitely no flash.