* Photograph party preparation and cleanup. Get shots of
the nicest food spreads before guests gobble them up;
click away at the decorations before they're trashed.
Afterward, present the pictures as gifts to the hosts.
* Concentrate on the most animated groups, but make
portraits of individuals, too.
* Look for groups that seem to hold together visually.
Avoid groups with individuals whose backs are to the
camera or who block the camera's view of others in the
group.
* If the gathering is a rare or once-in-a-lifetime event
-- a family reunion, for example -- try to photograph
everyone there. If you leave someone out, you may
regret it later.
* Bring appropriate family and friends together for
loosely posed group portraits.
* Suggest making a group shot of everyone there.
* For better background detail with indoor party shots,
set your point-and-shoot to its slow-sync mode, if
possible, or if it doesn't offer this, fill-flash mode.
* Always have double sets of prints made. This gives you
one set to give away to the people you photograph, and
a second set to keep.