What kind of experience are you looking for?
The anniversary number
Use the bodies of the guests to form the number of years being celebrated, as big digits on the ground or standing up. Take a photo from above so the number is readable.
The art tour
Find three pieces of artwork, photographs or wall decoration with stories behind them. Photograph all three. Ask someone to explain at least one.
The baby photo line-up
Have as many guests as possible find a baby photo of themselves (on their phone or brought along) and lay them side by side. Take a photo of the row of baby photos. Who is who?
The baby shower group photo
Final challenge: the best photo of the day with the parents-to-be. Not the first one you take, but the one you spend the longest getting right.
The baby sound
Who can imitate a baby most convincingly: babbling, cooing or a mini crying fit? Record a short video of it.
The baby treat
Take a photo of the baby-themed cake, cupcakes or snacks. The sweetest shot of the day.
The badge fan
Collect as many access cards, badges or name tags from colleagues as you can and lay them out as a fan or a stack. Take a photo of it. The bigger the fan, the more points.
The bar snack build
Using the bar snacks on the table (bitterballen, nuts, olives, cheese cubes), build a tower or small artwork on a plate. Take a photo of it before it gets eaten.
The best anecdote
Someone tells the best anecdote about the guest of honour in about twenty seconds. Record a video of it.
The best parenting tip
Write your best parenting tip on a card for the parents-to-be. Take a photo of it. Serious or funny both work.
The best student snack
Find the tastiest or most typical student snack nearby (a sandwich, fries, a kebab, a toastie) and take a group photo with it.
The best work memory
Someone tells the best memory with the leaver in about twenty seconds. Record a video of it.
The big group toast
As many colleagues as possible in one photo, all raising a drink at the moment the glasses meet. Keep trying until the clink is sharp and in frame.
The boss in the wild
Take a spontaneous, unposed photo of a manager doing something fun or silly during the outing: laughing, dancing, holding an ice cream, in the middle of a game. No stiff executive portrait.
The bridge leaner
In Utrecht, locals who used to lean over bridge railings staring at the water were called "baliekluivers". Find a bridge over the Oudegracht, lean over the railing as a team and gaze dreamily at the water. Take the most theatrical baliekluiver photo you can pull off.
The bump guess
If there is a baby bump and the parent-to-be is happy to play along: have everyone guess the circumference with a piece of string or ribbon, cut it and lay the guesses side by side. Take a photo of all the pieces of string in a row.
The cake
Take a photo of the moment the cake is cut or the candles are blown out. The real moment, not just the cake.
The campus icon
Find the best-known building or landmark of your campus or program and take a group photo there.
The career timeline
Using notes or objects, lay out a mini timeline of the most important moments from the leaver's career, in the right order. Take a photo of the complete timeline.
The cheapest coffee
Find the cheapest coffee or soft drink you can get nearby. Take a photo of the price tag or the menu with the price on it.
The classic stop sign
The headliner: the red octagonal STOP sign. Find one and take a team photo right next to it. In the US these are everywhere, so the real challenge is finding the most stylish one.
The coaster tower
Build the tallest free-standing tower you can manage on the table out of beer mats (or coasters). Take a photo of the tower the moment it stands on its own.
The colleague look-alike
Find the colleague whose outfit looks most like yours today: same colour sweater, same shoes, same glasses. Stand next to each other in exactly the same pose and take a photo.
The commute
Capture your "commute" today: the walk from bedroom to desk, a coffee detour through the kitchen, a balcony stretch. Photograph the longest stretch.