Exactly how good are the Photopass Photographers...

[BrittyRo]

I want to do my Save Date Photos at the Magic Kingdom and have examples of photos I want to have done...

Do you think they would be able to capture these photos correctly?

 

[dallastxcpa]

The first one no problem. The second one requires knowledge of depth of field and getting your camera off auto so probably not.

 

[fbb]

A good old Black Friday wedding.

 

[BrittyRo]

A good old Black Friday wedding.

Very rude. Unnecessary. Regular photographers aren't allowed into Magic Kingdom so my options are limited.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I've never seen a photograph from a Photopass photographer as good as those in the OP. They just don't have the photography skills and/or never take the camera off auto. With the first one, I don't know of any Photopass photographers stationed that close to the castle, and I don't think that they have the ability to blur a background like that.

I guess I'm not seeing why a Save the Date would have to be taken at Disney, especially if you go with something like the second example. Get the pin when you're in the parks and have a photographer at home take that picture. It's not one that requires being in a park at all.

 

[kj2mom]

Could you get a button and do that one with a different photographer if the photo pass photogs can't do it? It seems with the fuzzy background you could pretty much do it anywhere?

ETA: Oops sorry typing at the same time!

 

[fbb]

Very rude. Unnecessary. Regular photographers aren't allowed into Magic Kingdom so my options are limited.

What was rude? That was not my intent.

 

[BrittyRo]

I've never seen a photograph from a Photopass photographer as good as those in the OP. They just don't have the photography skills and/or never take the camera off auto. With the first one, I don't know of any Photopass photographers stationed that close to the castle, and I don't think that they have the ability to blur a background like that.

I guess I'm not seeing why a Save the Date would have to be taken at Disney, especially if you go with something like the second example. Get the pin when you're in the parks and have a photographer at home take that picture. It's not one that requires being in a park at all.

For the one with the dates on the hats. I wouldn't really want the castle to be blurry honestly. I am wondering if they are allowed to get that close to take the photo though Thanks for all the input guys!

 

[sharona]

Neither of these require a pro, just a general knowledge of how to use a DSLR and some practice. I agree you won't get that look from a PP CM unless you get lucky but if anyone that is joining you at the parks has a DSLR, and is willing, they could pretty easily copy these for you. If you're really not looking for that blurred background on pose #1, it's really just a simple snap.

 

[LJSquishy]

I will say no, they won't be able to accurately replicate either of those photos with any quality. The photographers have nice cameras, but most don't possess the skills (or maybe they don't care enough to take the time) to adjust settings when needed. You may be able to have them try taking a few shots of you and once you get home try to edit them yourselves if you have editing software. I would definitely have a backup plan, though...I've never seen anyone post a wonderful photo taken by a Photopass photographer. All of the photos I've ever seen look like they were taken with any old point-and-shoot camera to me.

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

Regular photographers aren't allowed into Magic Kingdom so my options are limited.

I guess i don't understand this...how would disney know? There are plenty of people who do this as a hobby/semi professionally...who would have plenty of skill to edit the photos as shown above.

 

[photogineer]

For the one with the dates on the hats. I wouldn't really want the castle to be blurry honestly. I am wondering if they are allowed to get that close to take the photo though Thanks for all the input guys!

I'd be willing to bet they weren't that close, long zoom lens compress the background, as well as narrow Depth of Field. The practical side effect is to both blur the background and make it appear significantly closer, as it does in that image.

Adam

 

[photogineer]

I guess i don't understand this...how would disney know?

Non-discreet pros can be usually tagged a mile away if you know what to look for, that said, I have good friends that would dress up in tourist garb with a decent camera and single lens and take care of this for me as a favor, so it wouldn't be breaking any rules against commercial photography. I would then buy them a six pack of something cold as a favor.

Adam

 

[bbjunkie]

Very rude. Unnecessary. Regular photographers aren't allowed into Magic Kingdom so my options are limited.

I must really have missed something or I don't understand. This doesn't seem rude at all. I don't get it.

 

[photogineer]

I must really have missed something or I don't understand. This doesn't seem rude at all. I don't get it.

The only thing I can think of is she thought the "Black Friday" comment was meant in some way to be derogatory and not a reference to the date on the hats. Perhaps OP is not a US resident and isn't familiar with the day?

Adam

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I'm assuming she thought it meant using the PP people were a cheap way of getting save the date photos?

 

[photogineer]

I'm assuming she thought it meant using the PP people were a cheap way of getting save the date photos?

Well, they are, I mean, even outside the parks a pro doing that is not going to be terrible inexpensive, usually it gets rolled in to a whole engagement or wedding package. In the park having a pro do it "officially" must be ludicrously expensive because you need to hire them through Disney as an event.

EDIT to add: By all that, I mean I think OP already knew that and she was asking if it was a viable plan for cheap engagement photos. Nothing to fuss about.

Adam

 

[richmo]

Yeah, I don't get the "rude" comment either. I think that was just a reference to the date on the mouse ears.

Anyway, I think you'll find the capability of the PhotoPass photographers to vary greatly. I don't think many (any?) of them are professional photographers. I think, overall, they do a good job, but I don't think you can necessarily expect a professional quality photograph at a specific location. I've seen some go to great lengths to try to get a great picture and some are point and click...its kind of luck of the draw.

 

[MataHari22]

Sorry, I don't agree with the majority, I think they could do it, and even if they couldn't get that blur during the shot, it's easily done afterward, and I could do it for you in two minutes for free. I could do a slight blur, heavy blur, vignette....

Here are two MM shots of me. One at Epcot and you can see the closeup and blurred background. The other is me being silly, as Minnie Mouse at the MNSSHP, it was from a series of shots they did of me, there was one with my leg up, one holding my dress to the side.... Each one had the castle in the background a bit blurry.



Yes, they can get super close to you. On this one, I blurred the background myself, I set it next to the original for comparison.

 

[photogineer]

Sorry, I don't agree with the majority, I think they could do it, and even if they couldn't get that blur during the shot, it's easily done afterward, and I could do it for you in two minutes for free. I could do a slight blur, heavy blur, vignette....

I think as some said it's going to be really dependent on which photog you get, some are really passionate and talented, some push the button for a paycheck, I've had a mix. That said, I'm sure OP is not planning a trip just for this photo, so if you're going anyway, there's no harm in trying. Depending on your skill with a camera you could possibly do it yourself if you have the right gear. My DSLR can be remotely controlled by my smartphone, so I'd just set it up on a tripod and adjust the focus once we were in place.

Adam