My wife has her first job as an amateur photographer in a birthday party at a nice restaurant this evening any advice or tips

Get closer

Shoot your subjects at (their) eye level

Fast glass, 85mm (equivalent) or under, shoot through gaps to subject to create out of focus bokeh.

Thanks Para and 280 for the tip, I am trying to be the good hubby and Bag caddy camera guy lol

Any kind of room prep or location prep?

If she doesn't already have it, get Adobe Lightroom. You can subscribe to it and photoshop for $10 a month. It can make even blah photos come to life. Also shoot in raw mode if the camera has the ability, and underexposed is always better than overexposed on the original.

quote:

Originally posted by golddot:
Any kind of room prep or location prep?

Staged photos look staged. Just watch the kids and be as spontaneous as they are.

Self confidence puts people at ease with a photographer. For candid photos think in terms or groups of two or three. Get an overall shot, but shoot closer after that. Yes, shoot eye level.

Well, how'd it go?
Hopefully well.

Too late now and actually the question was kind of late since it was that night...

My suggestion would have been:

Only a few staged shots.... rest candid and take lots because most will not be good. Don't use the view finder or screen on the camera just shoot and worry about cropping later... widest angle lens as possible... run the ISO setting up to 1600 or better so that the flash is only filling in.

hey guys, went well, shot about 400 photos, she had a good time, we learned a few things about the venue and overall it was a 400$ success LOL!

thanks fellas ! I will post some pics if ya like

Yeah lets see some pics!

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Yeah lets see some pics!

I second

If the Sun is behind you, take pains to avoid casting your own shadow.