I get the impression they were all seated around the table. They finished their meal, then a suggestion was made for a group photo. Bridgette and the photographer have left their seats. (Two empty chairs. Bridgette has gone around to stand behind the group. The photographer is perhaps kneeling between the two chairs.) The rest are seated but have moved their chairs to all be closer together.
AI and photo manipulation/editing is very sophisticated these days. It may be fake. But I think it’s real.
On closer inspection: two small tables pushed together.
Fool, this is an AI generated image.