I am a firm believer in using disposable cameras. They are
a great way to get photos of images your professional photographer might not
get and they can be a lot of fun. I wouldn't rely on them to take the place
of a professional - or even a talented amateur with "real" cameras
- but they are fun. Do keep a few things in mind:
* You will not get all the cameras back. There *will* be someone (or a few someones)
who will take the camera home with the intention of finishing the roll and sending
it back to you or to develop it themselves as a gift. Sometimes it gets done
and sometimes it doesn't.
* Buy one or two of the brand you are considering and take some sample photographs
in about the same lighting conditions (dim room, dark outdoors, etc.). Not all
disposable cameras are made the same and you need to find ones that provide
acceptable quality for you.
* By the same token, get some recommendations for good places to develop the
cameras. Not all labs are created equal, either. If you have the time and the
money, take rolls of film to a few different places and see how the photos come
out.
* Be aware that if there are practical jokers in your friends/family circle,
you may get some photographs that are - well - not suitable for public viewing.
I've heard stories of the guys going into the bathrooms and photographing all
parts of their anatomy. I've heard of couples who got photographs of things
like toilet fixtures and feet under the table. You never know what's going to
come out on those photos.
* Make sure that everyone knows how to use the flashes on these cameras. Some
brands of camera require that the flashes be charged up before use. Also remember
that the flashes are not terribly strong. Anything more than about 10 to 15
feet away - or even closer in a darkened room - is not going to be illuminated
by the little flashes in these cameras. Don't try to get overall "ambiance
shots" or photographs of 30 people with a disposable flash.