alternate. have your camera ready, but don't record obsessively. for special events like birthdays take a few pictures at critical moments, but don't dominate the event with the camera. in particular for me that means i don't ask people to pose, on the contrary, i hope they don't even notice me taking photos. if people react to the camera to much, i stop, because that's not what i want to record.
on the other hand, do also record the not special moments. let everyone get used to the camera. make it normal that you take photos and videos often. then doing so at the special events hopefully becomes less distracting.
in asia, taking photos at events is more common, so it is a more natural part of any event, and people are not bothered by it.
on the other hand, do also record the not special moments. let everyone get used to the camera. make it normal that you take photos and videos often. then doing so at the special events hopefully becomes less distracting.
in asia, taking photos at events is more common, so it is a more natural part of any event, and people are not bothered by it.