Gifts of a lifetime

[Merandab4]

Just wondering if anyone has ever used this company. I've heard that they can take pictures of you and your family in the parks with your own camers.

Does anyone know how this works and how much it would cost?
Also, what is the time frame,, an hour or two?

[grover]

http://www.giftsofalifetime.com/
Haven't used them as they seem pricey to me...but I am cheap :)
They have a pretty good reputation though here on the disboards!
Grover in Winnipeg

[ohanafamily]

Hey, I met with them a couple of years ago, they are nice people. Her dream is to work with "Special" children to help realize their dreams. A noble plan, but not without cost.

This company has a mission that is to bring happiness to people by creating "Surprises" As part of the packages, they are licensed to take photos in WDW. I remember that she was telling me that there are all sorts of limitations to what is and isn't allowed.

I do not know their current standing, it has been a while since I talked to them. The can work around most schedules if they have enough time. That being said, they can only do so many a day and during peak times they don't always have the date and time you would want.

If I recall, their packages start at $150, and she puts a small profit on any of the gift items in any package. They are in business, and to stay in business they must turn a profit. I have seen much more expensive ways to do these things, but they are not a part of Disney so they have certain other latitudes.

One of their big things is that they don't post what surprises they offer. I have ordered items from her in the past, and she was able to get what I wanted done.

I have found them to be reliable in their services, but they are a little pricey.

I would suggest contacting them with your plan, ask if they can arrange a surprise, and find out if they will include a photograph (with your camera) and what the restrictions are.

It doesn't cost anything to ask what is available. You can even tell them I sent you ( I do not get any kind of kick-back) or say that you read about them on the Dis.

I usually hang out in the TAGLIARCHY, and also around the wedding board, PM me if you want more details...

BTW, I am RRBB's DH and she sent me here because I have sent them a little business and dealt I could give you a more complete answer...


:jumping2:

[Merandab4]

Thanks for the replies.
I may have gotten the wrong impression as to what GOAL is. I do know that they will set up special surprises, but I also thought that you could hire them to just walk around the parks and take pictures of you and your family.

Is is possible to hire them just for photography purposes, or am I thinking of another company that does that.

Also, how does the whole Photo pass thing work at Disney? If we wanted to have a certain photo, do we just grab a cast member who is a photographer.

[ohanafamily]

Haven't used the Photopass system, but if you contact GOAL, they might be able to do what you ask. They will charge you an hourly fee, but I think what you are asking is not unreasonable. After talking with them, you might find you want to do more.

Most photographers do a set of photos at specified locations as a package. Depending upon your expectations of the quality of the photos, a real photographer would probably do a better job, but I can't see anything wrong with getting paid to tag along on a trip to WDW and take pictures of a couple...Again, I would suggest calling them and seeing what they would charge and the limitations...

:jumping2:

[grover]

It says right on their home page that they will do photos's....starts at I believe 295.00...so you can do photos only with them.
You could also contact disney photography..they will come into the theme parks and do a photo shoot!
Grover in Winnipeg

[dreams91]

I used them for a surprise, not for pictures. They are spendy, but it was awesome!

[Mickey's old friend]

I have also used them for a suprise adventure. They came up with the adventure and it was awesome! A bit pricey, but it WAS a gift of a lifetime! :goodvibes


Linda

[DisneyWife]

Hi folks -

This is Brooke with Gifts of a Lifetime. I wanted to come address some things in this thread. The first and foremost, the topic of the thread.

Just wondering if anyone has ever used this company. I've heard that they can take pictures of you and your family in the parks with your own camers. Does anyone know how this works and how much it would cost?
Also, what is the time frame,, an hour or two?

Gifts of a Lifetime has done photography events thoughout the years. It recently evolved more, and specifically is now "Photography by Brooke". I still work with Jane in Gifts of a Lifetime, but we are trying to set me apart from GOAL as well.

We do not take photos with your cameras, though if there was a pose or two that you would want me to get on yours, I wouldn't have a problem with it. Basically, I am a professional digital photographer. I have a professional digital camera (a canon 10D). I follow your family around, the usual time frame is 90 minutes, and take photos both candid and posed. I will then put your photos on a disc for you, and mail them to your home within a week or two, depending on what I have booked. I used to deliver it to the hotel, but had too many cases of the hotel losing it, that I don't trust that any more.

Regular prices are $225. Right now I am running a few specials. I am currently available for $175 for 90 minutes in one park. Multiple days/parks are availabe for an additional discounted price.

I hope this answers your question, and please feel free to email me or ask me anything on here.

Brooke
wdwpixie@msn.com

[DisneyWife]

Hey, I met with them a couple of years ago, they are nice people. Her dream is to work with "Special" children to help realize their dreams. A noble plan, but not without cost.

This company has a mission that is to bring happiness to people by creating "Surprises" As part of the packages, they are licensed to take photos in WDW. I remember that she was telling me that there are all sorts of limitations to what is and isn't allowed.




I did not like how this was worded, and wanted to clairfy something. We do not work with "Special" children. Our events are for every day people, and every day situations. We are for anyone. We do anniversaries, birthdays, engagements, the works. I wouldn't say that we have a Mission, just that Jane wanted to bring these fun events to people, and created her business. She's been in business for over 7 years.

Of course we do not post our surprises, and we ask our clients to not do the same. Imgaine if you are a girlfriend of someone and youthink your finance might propose. You read about a persons proposal online, and htne end up having the SAME thing happen to you. You would know what was coming. We keep our events off public places for just that reason. We don't want to ruin the surprise for someone. More than a few times, Jane has been contacted by BOTH spouses, each wanting to do something. We don't want the surprises to be ruined for anyone. While our events have changed over the years, we often do the same events for people. Each of course is tailored to that person, but the basic search or set up is the same.

I hope this clears some of that up. I just didn't want there to be any wrong impressions.

Brooke

[DisneyWife]

Ok- one last thing


I hope Jane doesn't get too mad at me for saying this, but its always bugged me. That is seeing people say the events are pricey.

I understand where everyone is coming from, but I would like to explain a little more of what goes on with that money you pay. I hope to make it look not so pricey, but understandable when you see what goes into it.

Our events start at about $275. We have "Budget" events. You won't get as "much" its really quick, but they are only about $150, but getting back to the regular event.

Though you may not see us, and that is the point much of the time, there are almost always THREE pixies working your event. That is the minimum for a normal event. If we are tight on pixies, most events can be done with only two, especailly of those that really know what they are doing, but Jane perfers 3 to make sure everything goes smoothy. Your money pays for their earnings. We get paid for events, we do not do these for free. And we do not get paid a great deal. Please know that we drive in and have our own costs of gas, milage, passes and such. We do not work for Jane to make a living, our pixies (except me) have normal jobs. Pixieing is our fun job. Something we do because we enjoy it.

Your money also goes to Jane and her time. Yes, she needs to make a little money off of it, she needs to pay herself. Responding to each questionaire, she does on her own, and she gets about 75% more questionaires than she actually books. When she books you, she spends her time talking to you, making sure you are getting what you want, taking calls, answering emails, the works. Then she has to set up the event. She thinks all the stuff up, writes it out, puts it all together, buys the items needed, calls and organizes pixies, and then works the event herself. This woman works, constantly. She is always there for her clients, night and day, and when she can't be, myself or one of the others is. Because this company is important to us. We enjoy adding that little bit of spark to your trip. It gives us great joy.

We've laughed with our clients, we've cried with them. We often have long lasting relationships with our clients, I know many many many of them are repeats. This is because the depth of Jane's caring and knowledge comes thorugh in the events, and we strive to do our best for you.


Anyway, if you have read this far, I'm sorry to have rambled. If I didn't live here, I'd never be able to afford disney, so I understand that we look pricey, but we really aren't, and our events do not bring in that much money. But we continue to do it, because we love it. From every birthday, to engagement to vow renewal, we do it for the love of it, and I do the photography now, because photography is my passion, and I want to bring my own passion into what I am able to do. Spending that time with my clients is so wonderful.

Please feel free to make any comments or post any questions. Feel free to email me as well, and again, forgive me for rambling. I enjoy what I do.

Brooke

[grover]

Thanks for posting to clarify everything!
See..I knew ya'll did photography!!
Sorry i did not mean to offend when I said pricey..I am always factoring in the exchange from CAD to USD so it always ends up being more for me! After reading your post--you guys don't make enough!! I just have to be such a big saver to be able to even go to disney that often the extra's can be out of reach--but hey--if I had it in my pocket I would use your service in instant..being a scrapper and the family photog..I am rarely in the pics!
So now I am totally intrigued and want to spring for a event for our trip next year--we will be there for our 2nd anniversary!
Grover in Winnipeg :)

[ohanafamily]

Brooke, I think I should clarify my statements for all, so I am posting this rather than PMing it to you.

I apologize for my lack of clarity. I was not aware of you. I met with Jane a few years ago, and she admitted to me that one of her life's ambitions was to bring joy to children with disabilities. I thought it was very noble of her. I try not to reference people by name, but in the act of clarification I will say that her and her husband are really nice folks (as I am sure you are).

I will go on record as saying that GOAL is not the cheapest, but it is definately one of the best companies of this sort around. I have sent many poeople to her and her website; I have not heard any bad reviews from anyone I have sent. Jane cares, and so they do a good job.

GOAL is NOT the most expensive, but it IS in business, and they deserve a fair recompense for their efforts. If you think about the time that they have to spend, the small bit that they add is really minimal. As far as the surprizes, I am always amazed when I hear back from someone I have sent how well it worked out... Did I mention that her "Pixies" care too...

Brooke, again, I did not mean to say that the company was only for the special few. I meant Jane wants to help children with disabilities on a personal level. GOAL is a great company and provides a service that is something that words can't always describe...They (you) are there to making people happy....

Please feel free to correct me further, but I think I clarified all of the problems you seemed to have with my post...

:jumping2:

[Mouse Skywalker]

Greetings Everyone: I had just contacted Gifts of a Lifetime to arrange an event for my wife for our 10th anniversary and her 40th birthday. Brooke your comments were very helpful. Thanks everyone for posting.