"Things to Keep in Mind: The Importance of Consideration! What Went Wrong with Our Request for a Children's Photographer?"

2019.08.19 published

Your child guests might get bored at the wedding...

Do you know about "child photographers"? Child photographers are given instant cameras as toys to capture photos during the wedding, making it enjoyable for children who tend to get bored at weddings.

For children, weddings are extraordinary events. Initially, they may feel excited and have fun, but after several hours, they can lose interest.

When child guests get bored, it can become very challenging for their mothers. Children might cry, run around, or sometimes demand to go home, making it difficult for mothers to fully enjoy the wedding...!

Let's ask child guests to be "photographers"*

Therefore, recently it has become more common to give "instant cameras" to child guests as a means of entertainment to prevent them from getting bored◎

In today's world, mobile phone cameras are the norm, and children may not have much experience with instant cameras, so the term "photographer" might sound cool and exciting to them＊

Plus, it’s a joy for the bride and groom to have a perspective of the wedding from the children's point of view♡

However, there have been some "failed experiences with child photographers" shared by brides. This time, we will introduce some cautionary tales when hiring child photographers along with things to watch out for!

Caution 1 when hiring a child photographer: Flash function

One bride forgot to explain the flash function when asking a child to be a photographer. Naturally, the child took pictures without any further instructions.

When looking at the developed photos, it turned out that the indoor pictures were completely dark and almost unrecognizable.

This could be quite a shock not only for the bride and groom who were looking forward to the child's photos but also for the child guest eagerly awaiting the results…!

Even if the banquet hall is bright, using an instant camera indoors requires a flash! It is advisable to provide a message to the child photographer such as "Please press this button (the flash button) before taking a picture＊".

Caution 2 when hiring a child photographer: Not indicating what to do with the camera after use

Although it’s great to ask a child to be a photographer, one bride forgot to mention what to do with the used camera.

The used camera was collected by the child's mother, who later mailed it to the bride and groom!

What was meant to be a considerate gesture from the bride and groom inadvertently placed a burden on the child's mother...!

Additionally, developing instant camera pictures can be more expensive than digital photos. Even a standard 20-40 photo instant camera may cost around 1000 to 2500 yen for developing.

This creates extra hassle and financial burden, so make sure to collect the used camera and develop the photos to show the children＊.

Caution 3 when hiring a child photographer: Some children had cameras while others did not

The final caution is regarding a situation where some children had cameras and others did not, leading to a conflict.

One bride had a 5-year-old cousin and a 6th grader cousin. The bride thought the 5-year-old would likely get bored, so she prepared a camera for them, while she assumed the 6th grader would be too old and embarrassed to walk around the venue taking photos.

However, when the reception started, the instant camera seemed so intriguing that the 6th grader ended up snatching the 5-year-old's camera. They did not return it right away, and it escalated to a small fight.

When preparing cameras for children, it’s recommended to provide them equally; if unsure, it’s best to prepare them for everyone◎ If some don't take pictures, you can collect them and take them on a date or honeymoon♡.

Hire child photographers to capture wonderful memories*

It's important to provide thorough instructions from start to finish when asking a child to be a photographer◎ If the child cannot read or it seems complex, preparing a letter addressed to their mother can provide reassurance＊.

The photos taken by child photographers are distinctly different from those captured by professional photographers or guests, bringing a fresh perspective. Be sure to assign the role of child photographer and create a fun wedding for both the children and the bride and groom♩

➡️ Here is the template for instant camera covers♡