Oh wow -- I can't believe how many of you have responded in the short time I went to town, ate dinner & watched a family movie!
Thank you all so much for your kind words.
I also want to thank EVERYONE who posted & shared photos before me for serving as my inspiration for this photo session! This is my
favorite "souvenir" ever from WDW!
These pictures are really special to me personally b/c we are a "blended family" and this is the first time we've had a "family portrait" done since we've been married (5 yrs). I've always wanted family pictures on the beach - and our favorite place in the world is WDW - so combining the 2 was perfect (for us)!
And in regards to the "girls only" picture that a couple people said they liked so much ..... it is special because only the youngest DD is "mine" ... the oldest is my step-daughter. My DH is also my son's step-father ......... so the pictures of us that way were unique for us because that's not how we were "originally" (you know, before the blend). For me, it truly represents the "blended" part of our family.
Thank you for allowing me to share WHY these pictures are special..... and thank you again for the inspiration! I would have never known about these photo sessions w/o this thread and everyone sharing their information - and photos!!!
Okay ........... now y'all want me to shut up & share the BEST pictures, right? Here you go .....
These are all on the beach - at my request (except for the VERY LAST & VERY BEST photo). He was really nice & asked if there was anything in particular I wanted, so I jumped at the chance to have us all in the sand...... with THE CASTLE in the background!
(ok- seriously - what's not to love about your 3 children, in matching clothes, standing on the beach, holding hands, looking at Cinderella Castle?!?!?)
Yeah, I know it's a photo only a mother could love, but hey, I'm a mother!
Now ...... ladies (and gentlemen, if there are any) ..... I need a drum roll please ......... this is the VERY BEST PHOTO ever taken of our family!!! (I told you I was saving the best for last)
I have to preface this by saying, I honestly thought our photographer had lost his ever-loving mind when he made me lay face down accross a hammock IN A DRESS and took my picture! But, when he made those darn kids pile in on top of us, I knew he'd flown the coop!!! For crying out loud man, I got up early and IRONED clothing for FIVE people this morning ... got everyone up, dressed, make-up'd
and packed to CHANGE RESORTS before we showed up for this 9:00 AM photo session ..... can't you just take a beautiful picture of my family on the beach!?!?
Yeah ....... well, he did. We're in a hammock! Who knew .........
I would also like to add that our photographer,
Richard from Lakeland FL, talked to us a little bit about his background. It turns out, he IS a professional photographer. Disney sought him out from a resume he had posted online. He used to have his own studio in Lakeland prior to coming on to work full time for Disney, about 3 yrs ago. He's been a Photopass photographer for about 7 yrs total. He said that the photographers in the parks don't necessarily have any professional experience, but the ones at the resorts doing these sessions DO. I thought that was interesting. Don't quote me on it, but it's what he told us. I think the photographers kinda move from resort to resort too. I would definitely make a specific request for this particular photographer. He was GREAT! We plan to do another session in December with my parents and I think I might ask if it's possible for him to do them. Can't hurt to ask ..........
Well, this concludes my "photo session report". Hope you've enjoyed ..... I will be writing a full trip report - beginning in the next few days - and will include all of this in it as well! (yeah, I'm not that original) I think I'm going to include a link to this thread in my report to share with anyone else who might be planning & decide this is a perfect idea for their family!!!
Now, please collect all of your personal belongings (including small children) and exit to your far right .......... Oh, I'm not a Disney anymore??? Ooops!
. I re-checked my notes and also called PPass and it is definitely 30 days out. I need all the guidance I can get, that 's what I love about these boards!! Anyway, can't wait!
so I hope it turns out as well as yours!
