At my cousin's daughter's wedding a dozen years ago she hired a friend to take photos, but he did a terrible job. I had a small digital Nikon Coolpix (12X) tucked in my handbag and managed through the couple of days of activities to get some very nice photos. When I heard from my cousin that the photographer came up with junk I posted a set of mine online and ended up sending her files to print. Those were the only ones they used.

I have taken photos at university musical events (sponsored by our department) and had people complain about the shutter noise, so usually make a point of turning off audible camera stuff. Invariably it seemed (in the days of film) that when you tried not to upset people and didn't take many photos that there'd be a camera glitch or operator error and few or none turn out; the extra photos are possibly by someone who is hoping that a few of them will be what they want. It's impossible to be invisible with the cameras but you can usually plan ahead so you step up, take photos, then step back out of the way.

Now I wonder at all of the people holding up their phones to record and photograph events. As a photographer who usually uses a camera instead of the phone, I don't do that because I find I appreciate the performance more and remember it better without it. Yes, get a few photos, but most of what ends up in the phone is never looked at again.