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

[stepdisney]

We too, just got booked for AKL, and guess what, we arrive on the 23rd of Sept, soooo, today was officially the first day we got to call to book (30 days out). Tomorrow the prices increase, so whew!!! we got in just in time to get it for the 25$!!! I never get this lucky, ever. I just hate it for those who are arriving after us and have to pay the new crazy prices!!!!!

That is soooo funny. I was just thinking that I never get this lucky. So far, I missed out on all of the dates for airline increases like checked bags and assigned seating. I got the emails but didn't check the dates until it was too late and had to pay extra. I am so happy to have scored the AKL photo session. Enjoy your trip and don't forget to post your pictures.

 

[ToyotaKitten]

SAMPLE OF BEACH CLUB PORTRAITS

 

[lissiesmum]

SAMPLES OF WILDERNESS LODGE PORTRAITS

thank you so much for posting these pictures! What a beautiful background, and you two make such a lovely couple! Fantastic pictures! What time of day was this? thank you thank you thank you! I can't wait for my photo session now!

 

[ToyotaKitten]

thank you so much for posting these pictures! What a beautiful background, and you two make such a lovely couple! Fantastic pictures! What time of day was this? thank you thank you thank you! I can't wait for my photo session now!

thank you!!!!!!! he makes me look good. in fact when you go to WL you will see these photos pop up on the photopass computer screen savers.... same with BEACH CLUB TOO.

no problem!!! these were around noon it was SUNNY and hot! best time of day is 6, 630 or 7 if you must do it in the morning i suggest EARLIEST...

if its a cloudy day - PERFECT you can do it at anytime. clouds diffuse the sun's light and create natural flesh tones to make you skin look softer.... so if its cloudy don't be discouraged - be excited

 

[stepdisney]

Are you both cast members? I see that you say these are SAMPLE photos. Did you actually book a session or did you go when they had the cast member photo shoot? They absolutely beautiful. I only hope that ours are as nice as these. Do you have any suggestions for colors for AKL?

 

[lissiesmum]

thank you!!!!!!! he makes me look good. in fact when you go to WL you will see these photos pop up on the photopass computer screen savers.... same with BEACH CLUB TOO.

no problem!!! these were around noon it was SUNNY and hot! best time of day is 6, 630 or 7 if you must do it in the morning i suggest EARLIEST...

if its a cloudy day - PERFECT you can do it at anytime. clouds diffuse the sun's light and create natural flesh tones to make you skin look softer.... so if its cloudy don't be discouraged - be excited

Perfect! I booked ours for six pm. I cannot wait, I just hope my DD3 is just as excited as me!!!

 

[ToyotaKitten]

Are you both cast members? I see that you say these are SAMPLE photos. Did you actually book a session or did you go when they had the cast member photo shoot? They absolutely beautiful. I only hope that ours are as nice as these. Do you have any suggestions for colors for AKL?

he is not, just me. he used to work at tomorrowland attractions, but he left after beign scheduled 60 hours a week 6 days a week and guests yelled at him all the time for lines being too long, kids not being able to go on rides b/c they are too short... etc etc one time he got punched... i would have left too after that poor guy

that's why i didnt go to attractions. lol. yea we booked a session during the special CAST PREVIEW of those resorts. they were free, in return we had to sign a waiver model release to use the photos on screensavers or flyers.
when are you going to AKL??? umm best colors to wear are solid colors. greens and blues are great and white is great too - NO BLACK. some families all buy the disney 2008 shirts and match for their photos. you can wear whatever you want, just stay away from SMALL stripes and POLKA DOTS and anything too busy. i will be opening AKL portraits next week with our new portraiture cast on FRIDAY.... should be fun!

 

[heath-and-javens-mom]

Thank you soo much for the WL photos...you guys look amazing, the resort looks nice aswell! Our first stay there will be next week and we booked a session. You guys made it look sooo easy!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Now I'm really torn. I was psyched about a photo shoot for $25 - I was going to buy the CD anyway... and even $50 didn't seem too bad - but $75? And I've seen some pics here that are very nice, and some that are not worth paying for at all.

I think we're going to bring the tripod this time around and maybe I should try it instead of paying someone. If I knew I would get a decent photographer I might consider it... but man this is a tough call. $75 for mediocre isn't worth it - and it seems hit or miss.

No one has any SSR examples? I'd love to see some! Encourage me, please!

Any talk of AP, DVC, Disney Visa discounts?

D4D

 

[parkers*momma]

yes i have some photos of WL and beach club..... yea prices go up 25th.... so everyone call ASAP

ill post my BC and WL photos soon too

Fantastic...I was so worried that we weren't going to get the WL on the 9/24 at the $25.00 price.

if you had to choose between SS, BC, GF...which you be your choice??

 

[LilGMom]

Now I'm really torn. I was psyched about a photo shoot for $25 - I was going to buy the CD anyway... and even $50 didn't seem too bad - but $75? And I've seen some pics here that are very nice, and some that are not worth paying for at all.

I think we're going to bring the tripod this time around and maybe I should try it instead of paying someone. If I knew I would get a decent photographer I might consider it... but man this is a tough call. $75 for mediocre isn't worth it - and it seems hit or miss.

No one has any SSR examples? I'd love to see some! Encourage me, please!

Any talk of AP, DVC, Disney Visa discounts?

D4D

I feel the same way. We did a GF shoot in May and thought we got some great shots. I'd say about 85% are really good but after hearing and seeing some other peoples' experience I'd say we were lucky. I don't want to pay $175 (photopass cd at today's price plus the photosession) for pictures that aren't going to be better, or in some cases as good as, a department store photosession. At $125 (total price with the cd and shoot) I felt it was a fair deal, now I am not feeling that way at all.

We are going in December at the same time as my SIL/BIL and their three kids and my MIL/FIL and we had planned on doing individual family photoshoots and one as a group but now that is highly doubtful.

 

[MamaOfTwoPrincesses]

subbing

 

[ToyotaKitten]

Fantastic...I was so worried that we weren't going to get the WL on the 9/24 at the $25.00 price.

if you had to choose between SS, BC, GF...which you be your choice??

BC or GF... BUT CALL BEFORE 10 PM TONIGHT.... PRICES GO UP TOMORROW!!!!!!!

 

[ToyotaKitten]

I feel the same way. We did a GF shoot in May and thought we got some great shots. I'd say about 85% are really good but after hearing and seeing some other peoples' experience I'd say we were lucky. I don't want to pay $175 (photopass cd at today's price plus the photosession) for pictures that aren't going to be better, or in some cases as good as, a department store photosession. At $125 (total price with the cd and shoot) I felt it was a fair deal, now I am not feeling that way at all.

We are going in December at the same time as my SIL/BIL and their three kids and my MIL/FIL and we had planned on doing individual family photoshoots and one as a group but now that is highly doubtful.

hmmmmmm to shed soem light on this subject that WE KNEW might have guests getting upset at us....

well like i explained to one person already. our guests were getting the photo sessions basically free before, b/c they were taking advantage of the idea that if they are getting the park cd anyway - they might as well get the photosession since its included in the price of the park CD (we fulfil more PURCHASE AT PARK CDs, than pre-ordered CDs) - so they got our photos free.

therefore our portrait photographers had no value compared to regular park photographers. PLUS we are wayyyyy cheaper than most professional studios. and any that are cheaper you don't get the copywrite NOR CD, you pay a session fee then you are only able to pick out a few photos for a package deal. AND places like walmart, glamour shots, school pix, use the cheesey backdrops (some of our photographers used to work for studios like that). But we use our surround DISNEY ENVIRONMENT that the IMAGINEERS CREATED. we use REAL flowers, REAL setting, REAL rocks, REAl bridges, CINDERELLAS CASTLE CAN BE IN THE BACK OF YOUR PHOTO IF YOU DO IT AT POLY. things like that.

you are not paying a studio for a basic portrait. you are paying Disney for a potrait in a Natural setting, with Disney flair. if you don't care much for Disney - don't do it. but if you are that passionate about Disney, its well worth it. We are still cheaper than most studios. so we are trying to bring us up to a market value.

and if you get your photos and they are not good....tell us. but our portrait photographers are the best and are HAND PICKED BY A GROUP OF MANAGERS and are trained to USE different settings than what they use in the parks. i am one of the new cast members for the PORTRAITS CREW... i was transferred in JUNE to PORTRAITS... and trust me these prices have made me want to make sure i am at the top of my game. however these higher prices are giving US - the Photographers - more value than the park photographers... which is well earned for what we are required to do in this new role.

 

[parkers*momma]

OK...now I am bummed. I called yesterday and was told to book on 9/24 I had to call back today. Today, I called WL for an appointment on 9/24 and was told to call back tomorrow because they don't have sept. 24 schedule...even tho today is my 30 day mark.


Don't that bite

 

[Jennyvelaz]

OK...now I am bummed. I called yesterday and was told to book on 9/24 I had to call back today. Today, I called WL for an appointment on 9/24 and was told to call back tomorrow because they don't have sept. 24 schedule...even tho today is my 30 day mark.


Don't that bite

I just booked poly on the 24th....today. The 24th is the last day you can get the $25 price. I tried to book the 27th and she said it would cost more.

 

[grumpysmrs]

Ok I have a poly photo session scheduled. How do I order the CD in advance when I don't have a photopass number?

 

[parkers*momma]

I just booked poly on the 24th....today. The 24th is the last day you can get the $25 price. I tried to book the 27th and she said it would cost more.

I know..isn't that silly! She just kept sightiing that they (WL) don't have a sept 24 schedule and I would have to call tomorrow. When I questioned her about the increase she said yes, it would be at the higher rate and there isn't anything she can do.

I'm calling back....lol...unlimited long distance and I have the patience so I'll just keep calling on the hour until maybe someone will book me.

 

[parkers*momma]

ok...just called them again and it is a no go. Valerie said they can not take ressies for the 9/24 until 8/25 but she would put it on a sticky for them to enter tomorrow morning. When I questioned her about the $25.00 price, she said I would be charged the higher price.

 

[DiznEeyore]

hmmmmmm to shed soem light on this subject that WE KNEW might have guests getting upset at us....

well like i explained to one person already. our guests were getting the photo sessions basically free before, b/c they were taking advantage of the idea that if they are getting the park cd anyway - they might as well get the photosession since its included in the price of the park CD (we fulfil more PURCHASE AT PARK CDs, than pre-ordered CDs) - so they got our photos free.

therefore our portrait photographers had no value compared to regular park photographers. PLUS we are wayyyyy cheaper than most professional studios. and any that are cheaper you don't get the copywrite NOR CD, you pay a session fee then you are only able to pick out a few photos for a package deal. AND places like walmart, glamour shots, school pix, use the cheesey backdrops (some of our photographers used to work for studios like that). But we use our surround DISNEY ENVIRONMENT that the IMAGINEERS CREATED. we use REAL flowers, REAL setting, REAL rocks, REAl bridges, CINDERELLAS CASTLE CAN BE IN THE BACK OF YOUR PHOTO IF YOU DO IT AT POLY. things like that.

you are not paying a studio for a basic portrait. you are paying Disney for a potrait in a Natural setting, with Disney flair. if you don't care much for Disney - don't do it. but if you are that passionate about Disney, its well worth it. We are still cheaper than most studios. so we are trying to bring us up to a market value.

and if you get your photos and they are not good....tell us. but our portrait photographers are the best and are HAND PICKED BY A GROUP OF MANAGERS and are trained to USE different settings than what they use in the parks. i am one of the new cast members for the PORTRAITS CREW... i was transferred in JUNE to PORTRAITS... and trust me these prices have made me want to make sure i am at the top of my game. however these higher prices are giving US - the Photographers - more value than the park photographers... which is well earned for what we are required to do in this new role.

ToyotaKitten, I really appreciate your perspective on this and I thank you for taking the time to post here.

For many of us, our objection to the higher price comes in the non-professional quality of so many of the photos. In fact, the samples you posted yesterday (that you obviously didn't take because you were in them ) had many shadows and sunspots that a truly trained professional photographer would have/should have noticed and compensated for, either with fill flash or by simply moving the subjects to a slightly different location. It would also be nice to not see random strangers in the backgrounds of the photos or trees, fountains, lighthouses, etc. appearing to "grow" out of people's heads. Again, those are things a professional should notice when posing his or her subjects.

I say that not to insult you or with any disrespect to you or your colleagues, but rather to communicate where the dissatisfaction comes from. My husband is a professional photographer and I've worked with him for over a decade, so I feel very comfortable in my assessments of the photos.

I have to say that the ones zurgswife posted a couple of days ago from the BC were fantastic, and well worth a $75 fee. Some of the others -- a lot of the others -- not so much. The value just isn't there when you look at the quality.

I hope I haven't offended you ... I just wanted to let you see things from a customer's point of view.