resort photos

[giffy231]

I spoke with Disney this morning and was told it was ok to do photos at the resorts. I contacted a local photographer today and she emailed me back saying that this is not allowed and she respects Disney's wishes. This is the photographer I really wanted, but I want pictures taken at the Poly.

Can anyone clarify this for me?

Should I just call another photog? I am looking for a photographer that has more stylized photos, not just your basic classic type photos. But we are on a budget, so there is where it gets tough. Can anyone recommend a good photographer that does intimate wedding packages?

 

[transfergirl]

Disney requires their own photographers for the theme parks. I don't believe there is a restriction on photographers shooting elsewhere on property.

You will have to be specific when you say "stylized," and give an idea of price range. For how many hours do you want the photographer? What do you want included? Photographers generally offer packages based on the amount of time they're shooting, whether they have a second shooter, whether you want a hi-res disc (if they'll even offer it), prints, albums, how far they have to travel, etc. From there you can discuss customizing what exactly you do/don't want.

 

[dakcp2001]

Here are some photographers:

Randy Chapman
Misty Miotto
The Roots
Vicki & DAvid Arndt

 

[Chilly]

I spoke with Disney this morning and was told it was ok to do photos at the resorts. I contacted a local photographer today and she emailed me back saying that this is not allowed and she respects Disney's wishes. This is the photographer I really wanted, but I want pictures taken at the Poly.

Can anyone clarify this for me?

Should I just call another photog? I am looking for a photographer that has more stylized photos, not just your basic classic type photos. But we are on a budget, so there is where it gets tough. Can anyone recommend a good photographer that does intimate wedding packages?

Maybe she got confused and thought you meant in the park. Why don't you e-mail back and say you've checked with Disney and they've said resorts are fine.

 

[Boston Disney Bride]

I know resorts are fine for outside photogs. I used Randy Chapman for wedding photos at the Poly...he is relatively inexpensive and is AMAZING!! Hope that helps!

 

[giffy231]

Maybe she got confused and thought you meant in the park. Why don't you e-mail back and say you've checked with Disney and they've said resorts are fine.

She said she was kicked out of a resort 2 weeks ago.

 

[Designer Rose]

That's weird.....

Outside photographers are definitely allowed at Disney resorts, maybe there is more to the story?

 

[giffy231]

She was my top choice for photographer, but at the top of my price range. She said she will contact them to see if they will give us permission, but she said she was told it is not permitted and she wants to follow their rules. I was not trying to break any rules!

 

[giffy231]

I was just contacted by Disney directly and told that this is not allowed under any circumstances. She said we are in NO WAY permitted to take pictures on Disney property resorts or otherwise unless we have a Disney fairtytale wedding.

Now I am going to cry. I can't afford to use them. We were planning to rent dvc points and have a post wedding dinner at CAli Grill but I guess now I need to rethink the entire thing. I am so upset.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Sweetie - There are many non-DFTW brides who have had photos taken around the resorts with no hassle at all. Myself included - I was a S/D VR bride. On my VR day, Randy shot pictures at BLT, Swan, Boardwalk and GF. A few days later we did a TTD session with Randy at the Poly and were in the pool, the lagoon and up on SP. On neither occasion did anybody bother us at all. In fact, every CM we encountered was friendly and helpful!!
Randy knows how Disney works, however, and is always very careful not to 'get in the way' of any other bride (especially a DFTW one). There was a DFTW bride in the lobby of the GF when we were there, so we did some shots outside until the bride and her photographer were finished in the lobby.
For some reason, DFTW likes their brides to get the impression that they are the only bride around that day, and so get quite 'touchy' about two brides meeting. Maybe your photographer was shooting in a location that a DFTW bride was using or about to use and was asked to make way for said bride. I cannot imagine why else she would get 'kicked out'.
Do not lose heart, sweetie. As I say, there are many brides who have used the resorts for photos with no problems!!!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I was just contacted by Disney directly and told that this is not allowed under any circumstances. She said we are in NO WAY permitted to take pictures on Disney property resorts or otherwise unless we have a Disney fairtytale wedding.

Now I am going to cry. I can't afford to use them. We were planning to rent dvc points and have a post wedding dinner at CAli Grill but I guess now I need to rethink the entire thing. I am so upset.

(Wrote the reply above before I read your most recent post)
Goodness!!! I cannot understand this at all!!! Unless the rules have changed very recently!!! It would be a very sad day if that were the case!!!! Perhaps Carrie can clarify.
I would speak to Randy (or one of the other brilliant photographers who know Disney like the back of their hand)

 

[giffy231]

Sweetie - There are many non-DFTW brides who have had photos taken around the resorts with no hassle at all. Myself included. On my VR day, Randy shot pictures at BLT, Swan, Boardwalk and GF. A few days later we did a TTD session with Randy at the Poly and were in the pool, the lagoon and up on SP. On neither occasion did anybody bother us at all. In fact, every CM we encountered was friendly and helpful!!
Randy knows how Disney works, however, and is always very careful not to 'get in the way' of any other bride (especially a DFTW one). There was a DFTW bride in the lobby of the GF when we were there, so we did some shots outside until the bride and her photographer were finished in the lobby.
For some reason, DFTW likes their brides to get the impression that they are the only bride around that day, and so get quite 'touchy' about two brides meeting. Maybe your photographer was shooting in a location that a DFTW bride was using or about to use and was asked to make way for said bride. I cannot imagine why else she would get 'kicked out'.
Do not lose heart, sweetie. As I say, there are many brides who have used the resorts for photos with no problems!!!!

They told me & my photographer it will not be permitted. I am so frustrated. Every time I call Disney I get different info, yesterday they told me it was not a problem. But they definately took a hard line with me & the photographer today and said we will be kicked out.

She said it is not a new rule, it has always been that way and anyone who has done otherwise is breaking the rules.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I must say it seems strange!!! There are obviously very many rule-breakers on these boards then (myself included).
Randy is so well known at Disney and whilst we were with him, he was warmly greeted by many a cast member and a manager at the GF. They will have obviously known why we were there!! Whilst we were shooting at the Boardwalk, there was a DFTW going on at SBP (thus, we kept to the other end of the BW). It must have been obvious to all the cast and managers that we were a non DFTW couple as we were not escorted by a DFTW planner. All we encountered from cast were 'congratulations'. Maybe we were very lucky.....

 

[Chilly]

This all seems very odd.

Does this apply to Swan & Dolphin weddings as well?

 

[giffy231]

This all seems very odd.

Does this apply to Swan & Dolphin weddings as well?

I am sorry, I did not ask about that. She did say speciafically that you must go through Disney Fairtytale Weddings several times. I

I couldn't help but think, as a guest at one of the resorts, shouldn't I be able to take pics around the place I pay to stay in? I am so upset. I guess we will be staying off property and visitng Universal that week instead. I am a big Harry potter fan at least. I am just sad and dissapointed. She was very clear that I am not to be taking pics at any resort.

 

[Chilly]

I am sorry, I did not ask about that. She did say speciafically that you must go through Disney Fairtytale Weddings several times. I

I couldn't help but think, as a guest at one of the resorts, shouldn't I be able to take pics around the place I pay to stay in? I am so upset. I guess we will be staying off property and visitng Universal that week instead. I am a big Harry potter fan at least. I am just sad and dissapointed. She was very clear that I am not to be taking pics at any resort.

I def agree esp given how expensive they are.

 

[DisneyShamrock]

I know guests have no problem taking photos anywhere on property because I see them all the time.

I wonder if the 'in wedding attire' caught her attention? Maybe they are starting to crack down on non-Disney brides and grooms using the resorts?

 

[Chilly]

Carrie is on the case!

I suggest contacting another photograther and booking them instead and go ahead anyway. How will a CM know you aren't a DFTW anyway?

 

[Boston Disney Bride]

I suggest contacting another photograther and booking them instead and go ahead anyway. How will a CM know you aren't a DFTW anyway?

I was just going to say this...they will have no idea if you are a DFTW bride...there are so many locations that you could have married at that they will have no idea. Given I was a DFTW bride that had married at SBP, when we left boardwalk and went to poly, no CM bothered us or made us prove we were a DFTW bride..

Like Chilly said, I'd just go ahead and book another photog.

 

[lurkyloo]

I just confirmed with Disney Event Photography that there is no ban on outside photographers shooting at the resorts. They even said that although they would certainly prefer that couples use Disney, there is no way to prevent non-Disney photographers from shooting at the resorts.

I am wondering if the photographer who the OP spoke to was the one involved in that incident a few months ago when a misinformed and officious cast member told one of our DIS brides she couldn't have her photo taken at the grand staircase of the Grand Floridian because a Disney bride was there. Even though the cast member was way out of line and had absolutely no authority, I can see how it might have rattled the photographer.