Now I get it.

[BrandyJackson]

I am new to the photography game, I recently shot a friends grandparents 60th wedding anniversary.

Someone asked if I minded if they took pictures while I was. I said no, go ahead. (which invited numerous family to follow suit)

When I looked closely at my photos not everyone in the shot was looking at my camera...

Lesson learned!

[tim]

Yep you usually learn that one the hard way.

[PeaceFire]

Yup, you have to learn to take charge of the situation. It's not the other people taking the pictures- it's you not directing the scene. It sounds like it's rude, but I always raise my hand and waive it around say "OK everyone, look right here" (point at the lens) "and SMILE!" and snap away. If you're talking to the subjects and directing them you are more likely to have everyone looking at you. Because even if you don't have 100 other people snapping away you're still going to get a stray eye. In my wedding pics there was only one camera and my Grandma is not looking at the camera in anything because she was looking down at my niece who was being all cutesy. The photographer never said he was taking the picture so she never looked up.

[BrandyJackson]

Couldn't agree more! I will be more assertive next time.