You could also try calling WDW DINE. They do not put the whole restaurant to ADR, so is worth trying your concierge desk at your hotel (if onsite), or direct with the restaurant when you are there.
When are you going Paul? There are Cancelled ADR threads on the restaurants board for each month. People post there to give a heads up as to what they intend to cancel and when to allow others with the same party size for the same restaurant the opportunity to try snag the ressie as the system releases it again.
Otherwise, as above, keep checking and try ringing them as well.
Here's a link to the Dining Reservations board which has threads for cancelled ADRs for each month. Perhaps you could subscribe to the one for your month. You won't be able to ask if anyone is cancelling, but you can see if any disboarders are cancelling a reservation that will work for you. Along with checking online frequently, hope you get the reservation you want.
Pictures are not offered at many of the character meals. If you want them you have to take your own. There are a few, like CM and Ohana where they do take your picture and you have the option to purchase it or leave it. I thought ours were quite cute, but it is the amount of money they ask for them that is a bit offputting. We did get our Ohana one last year and if you buy it, you can have the code from the back of the print scanned onto your Photopass card.