Am I the only one that hates Photo Pass?

[Schrute Farms]

Specifically when trying to take my own pictures of my kids with a character.

They think nothing of stepping into the way of your shot. If you politely ask them to step out of the way they look at you like you are insane.

And if you take them up on their offer to take a picture using your camera they will talk four or five using their's for one with mine.

Just wanted to get that off my chest.

end mini-rant

 

[SanFranciscan]

I don't hate them because I am often with just one other person so the Photo Pass photographers are my best chance at getting photographs of us together.

 

[Kimberle]

Haven't had that experience. They've always been very polite to us and many offer to take pic's with our camera.

A couple years ago, we were at TL during a tropical storm. The park was open as it was drisling off/on during the day. Hardly anybody was there (August). We met a wonderful PP photographer who took us around and took 40 - 50 beautiful pictures. Things I'd never even think of.

 

[jpeka65844]

I wouldn't say I HATE them, but I find many of their pics to be mediocre and overpriced. I'll take my own, thanks!!!

Also, we had one get REALLY rude to us at DL when we asked her to take a pic using our camera. So rude, we should've complained to Guest Services but we were busy having fun and didn't let it ruin our day.

 

[Marty Joe]

Without photopass folks, I would never be in any family pictures. The photopass photographers we have encountered have been great about using my camera as well as theirs. I do, however, understand your position - it only takes one bad PPP to ruin the mood. Our issue is rude guests. If there is someone having a bad day, thinks Disney "owes" them something, or feels they are "just a little better" than anyone else, I will run into them!

 

[myweegirls]

I'm in the camp that only ends up in the pictures taken by the PhotoPass photographers! Otherwise, I'm the one behind the camera.

We've also had some really great PhotoPass experiences. To name two:

1) Pixie Hollow, Spring 2009 - Tinkerbell and Rosetta were playing peek-a-boo with the girls' little head scarves. It all happened very organically and before I even realized what was going on. The PhotoPass photographer stuck to that moment like glue, and we have some amazing pictures.

2) Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Cinderella's Castle, May 2010 - one PhotoPass photographer, loads of happy little girls. This guy was on the move - never getting in the way of the makeover but somehow catching tons of great moments. He got the "reveal" for both our girls (when they first saw themselves in the mirror) while still making the rounds for all the boutique customers. We have *dozens* of pictures of that experience - their first!

We've preordered the CD a couple of years running now, and I like having the heat off of getting every shot myself. We also had some fun with borders this year, and with added surprise characters (our older daughter kissing the Naveen frog in a special shot), and photographers have always been great with us and with the girls.

XO
Liz

 

[SanFranciscan]

I have never been a Photo Pass photographer, but I suspect I know the reason for their reluctance to take pictures with the guests' cameras. It is not just a matter of selling the pictures. I worked as a fan photographer for the San Francisco Giants for two seasons. When I first started I took pictures using the fans' cameras until I was instructed by management to stop. Fans had accused some of us of breaking and even stealing their cameras.

I remember the fan who got snitty and stomped off in rage after I wanted to photograph him and his wife with the team's camera after he had requested that I take it with his camera. He would have been the first to claim that I or the Giants "owed" him a new camera.

 

[seashoreCM]

If the Photopass photographer keeps getting in the way, your kid should remain with the character until you have a chance to get your picture.

If the Photopass photographer is responsible for your camera then he may refuse to touch it.

On the other hand, if the Photopass photographer is not responsible for your camera, he should feel free to take your picture with it but you can expect a lengthy not necessarily happily ending session at Guest Relations if per chance the photographer drops your camera.

I should make a poll question out of this but don't have time to phrase the question yet.

One way to minimize mishaps particularly when handing off the camera to someone else is for the first person to set the camera on the ground next to his foot and then the second person picks it up.

 

[reeveha]

I really appreciate the Photopass photogs. A couple of Christmas trips ago, our camera quit at the beginning of the day at Epcot. We explained that to every Photopass photogs we encountered that day and we ended up with some amazing shots (each photog took abt 20-30 shots instead of the normal 2-3 shots) at Character meet & greets, candid shots, great shots of the Lights of Winter, etc.

We found out to just ask them to take alot of shots and they will. We did that the remainder of the trip and wound up with over 400 raw photos for a 5 day trip.

All Photopass photogs we've encountered have never had a problem with us take photos while they were taking photos (no flash from us) and always offered to take group photos with our camera (as well as theirs).

One thing to remember, ANY cast member (if not busy) is happy to take group photos, all you need to do is ask nicely and give them some basic instructions on how to use your camera.

 

[Dead Robot]

My only beef with the PhotoPass is that when you order the CD, and it arrives at your home, the "Terms and Conditions" which explain the whole "copyright" thing, are in a txt file on the CD, yet if you open the CD, you are agreeing to the T&Cs!



Some lawyer at Disney needs a day in the park.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I'm with you OP. I have yet to get a great pic from a PPP. Come home and the "magic" shots have no magic in them, but I look like an idiot. Lighting is completely wrong -- night shots with people completely whited out, but hey doesn't the Epcot ball look great? No flash, too much flash, no magic, and the worst photos ever where from a photo shoot at GF. And I paid extra for that! Yes, if it weren't for photopass I wouldn't be in any pictures, but most of them aren't worth having. I've pre-ordered photopass the past 3-4 visits (and done a resort shoot) and none of them were worth the money. I could see bad pics with my camera, but a camera you work with all day, every day?