Breaking NEWS PHOTO SESSIONS!!!!!! :-)

[TPCShauna]

How do I go about scheduling a session and how much does it cost??

Resort Photo Sessions Available at:
Grand Floridian
Polynesian
Beach Club
Saratoga Springs
Wilderness Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge

NUMBER TO CALL
407-934-4004

This is the number to the main photo line. You can then choose the option for the resort you want to book.

Cost Breakdown

Cost to pre-order PARK Photopass CD = $99.95
Cost for Resort Photo Shoot if Park Photopass CD is pre-ordered = $75
Cost for Resort Photo Shoot if Park Photopass CD is NOT pre-ordered = $150

Regardless of Park Photopass pre-order, your Resort Photo Shoot pictures will be placed on a CD at the time of your Photo Shoot. You CAN NOT add enhancements to these photos.

If you only want one CD of all pics from your trip, at the end of your vacation, you can take your PARK Photopass cards to a Resort Photopass Kiosk and they will add all of your PARK photos to a CD with your Resort Photo Shoot pictures for an additional $50. You CAN NOT add enhancements to your Park Photos if you have this done. You do not need to order the Park Photopass CD in order to have this done.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have additional questions.

ETA: It appears that most photographers are giving out Photopass cards in addition to the photo CD so you might be able to still add enhancements to these. This is not the official policy so there is no telling when this might change.

 

[mom2zandjsquared]

Dh and I have a photo shoot scheduled for the Poly in the 24th and I was just wondering how much do you usually tip the photographer?

I never thought about tipping; I did not tip at our April appointment and do not plan to at the appointment in two weeks. I am sure that others have tipped so maybe they can be of further assistance.

 

[mousebit]

Oh, gee! I didn't think about tipping either. Now I feel bad.
ETA: Are they even allowed to accept tips?

 

[mom2zandjsquared]

Oh, gee! I didn't think about tipping either. Now I feel bad.
ETA: Are they even allowed to accept tips?

I was wondering the same thing if they are allowed to accept tips.

 

[TPCShauna]

I just called to ask about the tipping issue. I was told that this is not a tipped position so the photographers are required to say no unless the guest offers three times.

The CM specifically said that they don't expect tips at all but will take them if they are offered three times per Disney policy.

 

[LilGMom]

I just called to ask about the tipping issue. I was told that this is not a tipped position so the photographers are required to say no unless the guest offers three times.

The CM specifically said that they don't expect tips at all but will take them if they are offered three times per Disney policy.

I was just about to chime in on this. We had a PS at GF in May and our photographer did really good considering our 7 & 3 yr. old boys were ready to go after about five minutes of posing. We offered her a tip which she refused, so I pushed the issue and offered it quickly two more times and told her that I thought that she could accept after the third time. She was a little surprised that I knew that and only then did she reluctantly take the tip.

I figure it is just like any other service oriented position and if I get really good service I will tip. I tip waiters/waitresses and we spent more time with the photographer so I felt she definately deserved it.

 

[MickeyWanaBe]

I just called to ask about the tipping issue. I was told that this is not a tipped position so the photographers are required to say no unless the guest offers three times.

The CM specifically said that they don't expect tips at all but will take them if they are offered three times per Disney policy.

Yup, they do. Especially if you are assertive, give it to them and walk away before they have a change to refuse.

Both photographers were great and deserved it. They went above and beyond and got the 2 year old to smile for a picture which is not a easy task. I have had very bad experiences with photographers in our area.

I am not sure how much they tipped. The Grandpas said they were in charge of that. In general they are GOOD tippers. Sorry I can't help with the amount.

 

[4nana]

all those picutres are great!!!

I have a question, I never knew you could have portrait sessions at the resorts and I have been searhcing for it on WDW website, can any of you help me locate it!
Thanks

Sure thing, I purchased our $99. photopass off WDW site today ~

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/landingPage?id=PhotoPassLandingPage

 

[lil_red]

Now that I have lurked around on this thread... and read and read about the Photo session..
I have decided that we WILL do this on our Trip in November...
Now I have to decide which resort..
I am looking for opinions, or pics from the different locations..
This will only be my 2nd real trip to Disney, and my kiddos 1st...
I would like to have "Christmas" Pictures taken..
I was thinking about the Poly, and wearing Jeans with Red Shirts...
I have a little tradition of having 1 photo with my kids close up with Santa hats on,, ya think they will do that for me..
1 more question... Do the resorts have Christmas decorations around??

I would love any and all opinions... Also Going in November, is an AM shoot a good time?? Squinty eyes??
Can you Request a certain cast member to take the photos - if so anyone have a good one.. My kids LOVE to have pics taken and with a good Photographer, they will pose and pose.... I'd love to get tons and tons of photos...... But hey wouldn't we all!!!!

TIA !!

 

[cab333]

I called yesterday to book our session, and was stressed in thinking with only 2wks notice I may not get the day that I wanted. However, not only did I get the day (Sun Oct19th) they had a selection of times avail too! I picked 9:30am....for all you that have done these sessions, what do you think about that time? Do you think that we will have the squinty sun factor annoying us? They had an 8:30am slot avail, but I was thinking that may be too early for my group (well lets be honest, too early for DH ).

I am so excited!

 

[ireland_nicole]

Sorry I haven't posted sooner, but our lives have been really hectic since we got back. We had two photo sessions, both booked for first thing in the morning. B/C we had booked before the change, it was $25 for each. I can't post the pics yet, because I'm still making enhancements on the CD. Our session at B/C was 9/7, photographer was Tom. What a mess. Took a lot of pics on basic sofas and things (hello, I can take those at home) kept asking us where we wanted pics- I don't know the BC, I did mention, um, the beach? And he took maybe 5 shots total of the kids. We were extremely rushed because you have to go to marketplace to pay, and of course, the woman ahead of me in line took literally 10 min. to decide, pay, and then ask directions somewhere. And that time was lost on MY session. Did not get a single great shot. Definitely not worth being at the BC at 8am. Second shoot was at the Poly w/ Dallas (AWESOME; she is great!!!!!!!!!!!). We were late b/c of construction traffic, and she just shrugged and said, that's o.k., I don't have anyone right after you anyway; relax, don't worry about it. She was wonderful w/ our kids, she took over 100 amazing pics. I have to admit, I wouldn't book 8:30 again at the Poly b/c the hammock shots I was looking forward to didn't come out. The angle of the sun didn't work w/ my DD, and her eyes were almost closed on every shot; (Dallas did try, just wasn't meant to be) but got other fabulous shots on the beach, looking at the castle, walking on the beach, waving to "mickey". Also, fabulous shots in front of the waterfall inside- really really good. and in front of the waterfall on the bridge in front. Then, at the end, my daughter drifted off and she kept shooting and got some great shots just sitting in front of the bushes; I couldn't decide yet which one to use for my Christmas cards.
Interestingly, I've spoken to one of the photopass session photographers since, they mentioned that none of them were happy about this change, and tried to fight it, but without success. That they did have to submit a portfolio of work to be considered for the job, although there are certainly different experience levels. Many of the photographers who get good reviews here have seperate professional studios, and work at Disney part time to get CM benefits. Also, bookings are way down since the change.
The way I see it, Disney-like every company- thinks with their wallet. If this doesn't work, hopefully they will return to a system that did-or at least make changes to make the new one work. To be honest, I would pay $75 if they gave a little more time and you were allowed to request a specific photographer. But it's too much to pay w/o any promise of good pics. imho. I will post pics as soon as I get them.

 

[TPCShauna]

Now that I have lurked around on this thread... and read and read about the Photo session..
I have decided that we WILL do this on our Trip in November...
Now I have to decide which resort..
I am looking for opinions, or pics from the different locations..
This will only be my 2nd real trip to Disney, and my kiddos 1st...
I would like to have "Christmas" Pictures taken..
I was thinking about the Poly, and wearing Jeans with Red Shirts...
I have a little tradition of having 1 photo with my kids close up with Santa hats on,, ya think they will do that for me..
1 more question... Do the resorts have Christmas decorations around??

I would love any and all opinions... Also Going in November, is an AM shoot a good time?? Squinty eyes??
Can you Request a certain cast member to take the photos - if so anyone have a good one.. My kids LOVE to have pics taken and with a good Photographer, they will pose and pose.... I'd love to get tons and tons of photos...... But hey wouldn't we all!!!!

TIA !!

I've compiled a thread of answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Photo Shoot. You can reach it here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1972651.

 

[lil_red]

Any SUGGESTIONS for a Good Time of Day for November...

I have read multiple links.. Looking more for personal opinions on a Good time of day ....

 

[Momtoredheads]

I am also looking for suggestions for time of day, preferably morning for early December at the Poly. I would like to try to avoid glare/squinting. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!

 

[MickeyWanaBe]

I am also looking for suggestions for time of day, preferably morning for early December at the Poly. I would like to try to avoid glare/squinting. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!

Here is a table of sunrise/sunset times that might help.

When we did our photo session I looked and sunset was about 7:20 PM so we scheduled a 7:00 session for both Poly and GF.

GF was great!
Poly - they called us the day of our session to try and reschedule or move it up. They weren't sure why we were allowed to schedule a 7:00 session there due to it getting dark earlier. The latest they were booking was 6:00 at the Poly. When we got the voice mail at 3:30 we were at TL. I told them we had 9 people to get back to the resort and get showered, but we would try to get there earlier. They said no problem and what ever time we got there, they would make it work, but we might be limited on locations due to lighting. We made it there by 6:30.

 

[lil_red]

I am also looking for suggestions for time of day, preferably morning for early December at the Poly. I would like to try to avoid glare/squinting. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!

Me too.. We plan on heading to Clearwater Beach to spend a day and I was thinking we could do photo's before we headed out... I just can't determine "a good time" I don't know if 8am is too bright or to early.. We are talking November, the am's are still chilly.... or is 11 am in November "not too bright"..
Just can't determine ..
Glad to know someone else is juggling this Question...

 

[lissiesmum]

Now that I have lurked around on this thread... and read and read about the Photo session..
I have decided that we WILL do this on our Trip in November...
Now I have to decide which resort..
I am looking for opinions, or pics from the different locations..
This will only be my 2nd real trip to Disney, and my kiddos 1st...
I would like to have "Christmas" Pictures taken..
I was thinking about the Poly, and wearing Jeans with Red Shirts...
I have a little tradition of having 1 photo with my kids close up with Santa hats on,, ya think they will do that for me..
1 more question... Do the resorts have Christmas decorations around??

I would love any and all opinions... Also Going in November, is an AM shoot a good time?? Squinty eyes??
Can you Request a certain cast member to take the photos - if so anyone have a good one.. My kids LOVE to have pics taken and with a good Photographer, they will pose and pose.... I'd love to get tons and tons of photos...... But hey wouldn't we all!!!!

TIA !!

IF you're going around the Christmas season, I would recommend the WL for your photoshoot (I'd recommend it any season). The indoors will be decked out for Christmas, and there are so many beautiful locations outdoors where they take pictures...by the forest, the beach, the waterfall, the stream, etc. I had the pics done in september and I loved about 99% of my pictures, and she took close to 100 shots. My appt time was 6:30 or six, I can't remember, and even at that time of night we were squinting, but our photographer had great ideas to get us not to squint or positioned us so that we weren't looking directly at the sun. SHe'd have my DD close her eyes and the count of three open them then she'd snap the picture...I think I only had two with eyes closed or actually squinting! I'm sure it all depends on the photographer though...ours had her own studio and moonlighted at disney twice a week for discounts! IT was money well spent and I look at those pictures every day

 

[Momtoredheads]

Me too.. We plan on heading to Clearwater Beach to spend a day and I was thinking we could do photo's before we headed out... I just can't determine "a good time" I don't know if 8am is too bright or to early.. We are talking November, the am's are still chilly.... or is 11 am in November "not too bright"..
Just can't determine ..
Glad to know someone else is juggling this Question...

I am still undecided...On the one hand, it would be great to get it out of the way in the morning but I am just not sure about the sun situation. Also, the evening may bring crabby, uncooperative kids! I guess I need to make a decision soon.

 

[fonsy]

Hi everyone! I have a question for those who did 2 photo shoots. Did you pay $25 for each one? Or did you have to pay $25 for the first one, and then regular price for the other. Thanks in advance.

 

[clowe247]

We paid 25$ per session.