Do friends and family EXPECT you to take photos at parties?

[candidrachel]

It happens to me all the time. Only this time I left my camera at home on purpose.

My daughter was invited to a kids birthday party yesterday and we turned up minus my camera and the mum looked really disappointed and said something like "oh you haven't got your camera with you. My camera is broken and my mum in Spain was hoping I'd email her some photos". I felt really guilty but then thought well she could have asked me before and I'd be happy to take photos of her kid blowing out candles, playing games etc etc but I hate being taken for granted that its expected that I'll do it willy nilly.

So there we have it a 4 year old with no record of her day and me feeling like Public Enemy No 1.

[NicoleScraps]

Don't feel bad. Like you said, she certainly could have asked you to bring your camera.
With me, it is often expected that I will be taking photos. Most of the time, I want to be taking photos anyways because my own children are involved. Last week was my husband's family reunion. Several family member made a point to specifically ask me to bring my camera. I appreciated that.

[Eastree]

Oh, yeah; I'm excpected to arrive, with my camera in hand, just about everywhere.

I meet with some friends every month or so, and there were a couple times I couldn't make it. The response was, "Well I guess we just won't have any good pictures!" and once we were outside and it started raining, so I put my camera away (it's a 30D, not so weather sealed) and the response was basically the same, coupled with "But I guess you *had* to because of the *rain*!" (somewhat sarcastically) ... and at least two other people had cameras (point and shoot, and more than enough for outside even in cloudy weather!)

[LMAshton]

With family, I'm absolutely the photographer of every event. A nephew had his first birthday early last week, and no one else even took their cameras out. I'm not complaining, though - I love taking pics, and these things are a great excuse.

[Jim Bryant]

If I'm asked beforehand I'll bring my cameras. If not, I'll leave them locked in the SUV. I've never without my cameras as they are always nearby. All they have to do is ask if I have it available and I'll take some pictures. But most of the time, I'll let someone else have their day and be important.

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

If I'm asked beforehand I'll bring my cameras. If not, I'll leave them locked in the SUV. I've never without my cameras as they are always nearby. All they have to do is ask if I have it available and I'll take some pictures. But most of the time, I'll let someone else have their day and be important.

+1 except I just leave it in the car or at home.