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

[Marshay]

I think I'm going to need to take a college course to figure out what all this means! I thought that you get a photopass card, which all of your park photos and currently the photo session photos are uploaded onto this card which you then look at at home, make your enhancements, and then Disney sends you the actual CD and ships it to your house. If this is not the case, could you spell it out in layman's terms what I will need to do? I don't know if it's because it's late, or if I'm just fried in general trying to pack, but this just doesn't comprende with me! Thanks in advance for your help and patience

This is the way it was done in the past ... can't say how they are changing in the future...best bet is to call them in advance and RECONFIRM on day of visit exactly what they are doing. It would be easy for the CM to mess up -- esp the "highlighted folks" who are still getting the old $25 one.

You do not want them to burn a CD for you there b/c then you cannot edit, crop, add titles, borders, characters, etc.

In the past:
1. Get photopass card allowing you to put as many pics on it from the parks as you want
2. Get photopass session pics put on the same photopass card(s) you are using in the parks or a new photopass card (NOT A CD!!!)
3. Once home, upload ALL the photopass cards to the Website and make edits and save. Submit to Disney.
4. Receive your photo CD in the mail.



Under the new $75 rule, it sounds like step 2 is replaced with a CD thus not allowing you to edit/crop, etc. However, you could still print your photos and if you have other Photo software, make edits in that ... you just couldn't add "Disney 2008" logo or "Walt Disney World" title, etc.

 

[Dannielle_1]

I'm like many others and disappointed in the price increase and other changes. I had thought about doing the photosession again this December (we did one in May at the Poly), but we will pass on it.

Two of my big complaints are the changes involved in receiving the pictures with the photo session.
1 - not being able to do enhancements.
2 - having to get the CD then and there.
This is actually a big one for me. I wouldn't want to have to carry a CD around all day with the possibility of losing it. (In May we had an early session, then went directly to the parks for touring, we weren't staying at the Poly). A photopass card is not as valuable as an actual CD with pictures on it, especially if you've copied down the number and put it in a safe location

I felt like the previous $100 pre-order + the $25 for the sitting fee was a great value for both. I would even say going up to $150 for both is a good value. But with the increase, I almost feel like the regular (in-park) Photopass goes down in value just a little bit. I'll still do the Park Photopass, but now not being able to have the photo session included with a reasonable cost is a slight downgrade in that as well. Like others have mentioned I'll be seeking out those photopass people even a little more and having them take multiple shots.

Hopes this makes sense. But I do know that PhotoSessions lost a customer in December.

Sorry so long, but wanted to add: We had pretty good pictures overall, but were slightly disappointed in some of the poses/backgrounds. I went in counting on the photographer for locations. I had one in mind, but that didn't pan out. Anyway, we don't have one good shot of the Poly longbuildings in the background; nor the pool, marina, dock or castle. Partly my fault, but I was kind of clueless at the time and Poly was new on the location list, so no previous pics out there for ideas. I have lots of foliage pics and several with the Contemporary in the background. I don't even like the Contemporary (JMHO). Anyway, I would expect a lot more knowledge on setups and locations for that $$$.

Also, for the most part, we only got one picture per "shot." We would have a landscape/vertical/closeup of the same pose, but only one of each. I would expect several of each of those, because you know how pictures can be, some with a funny face, eyes closed. If you like the landscape layout best, but someone looks funny, (like a few pics I received in May), I'm out of luck on that one. I would think this is something a photographer would automatically do. I regulary take a couple shots with my own camera for this exact reason.

 

[jennwndrlnd]

A family member pre-ordered the Photopass and also booked the photo shoot at the Poly over the weekend. She was told that she made it in time for the $25 rate and that starting Sept.1 they would only be giving out cds for the shoot and she could burn them and give copies to anyone that wanted them. I guess from reading your responses that we should ask if they can give us a PP card instead.

 

[Kiki Lime]

Just cancelled my appointment for GF on 9/24 at 6:30 pm if anyone wants it. You'll see me and DH as the people going around with the tripod, lol!

 

[photolover]

OMG! I missed the deadline. I read before that you have until Aug 31 to book the old price, now it already got increased! Just a long shot, if anyone has an extra reservation for any session photoshoot at the old price during the period Aug 27-Sep 3rd and can spare it, would you please PM me? I hope I can get at least one for our first trip to celebrate our Anniversary. TIA!

 

[fairestoneofall]

If you get the CD, you should be able to edit and crop still. You just won't be able to add the Disney enhancements.

Or at least, that's what I'd think. They're going to put unedited jpeg files onto a CD. So, you could open them in a photo editing program to tweak them a little.

 

[momsavealot]

Hi guys! I just got back from the Poly and did the portrait session. Unfortunately, my dd who is 2 and a half years old did not cooperate. Also, because of Fay, we had to switch things around and I ended up canceling my 7pm appt. for a 9am appt. the next day. As I feared, the sun was in our eyes. The photographer, a woman, don't remember her name, was not that good. I had to tell her where we wanted shots and she seemed confused by the lighting in the main house near the waterfall which is basically the big shot. I made her take a picture of us near a palm tree and she basically said there were NO volcano shots which I know to be untrue. Out of the whole 15 minute session, I got about 5 good photos of various members of our group. No good group shot and certainly nothing worth using as our Christmas card. HOWEVER, I would have still recommended it UNTIL I came back and heard about this price increase. Are you kidding me? For $25, it's worth it. For $75 and no enhancements, it's a personal choice but would not be worth it to me. In general, I was disappointed with the scarcity of photopass photographers throughout the parks. I had preordered the cd. In the end, the best pictures are my own but I would still preorder the cd if you are going to be there for several parks and several days. However, IMHO, the portrait sessions at the hotels need better photographers. I felt like I knew more than my photographer and I'm an amateur! Like I said, at the original price, it's worth it to take the chance you will get one good shot. But at the higher price, I wouldn't do it again. Like a pp said, wander around the resort yourself, find the best spots and then bring a tripod and set the timer. Once I get my cd, I'll post some of my "sun in the eyes" photos.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I wished we'd done it last year when it was free. We considered doing it this year for $25 extra, but we won't be doing it for the higher price they are now asking. And no enhancements-I'll take my own with my gorilla pod, thank you!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Hi guys! I just got back from the Poly and did the portrait session. Unfortunately, my dd who is 2 and a half years old did not cooperate. Also, because of Fay, we had to switch things around and I ended up canceling my 7pm appt. for a 9am appt. the next day. As I feared, the sun was in our eyes. The photographer, a woman, don't remember her name, was not that good. I had to tell her where we wanted shots and she seemed confused by the lighting in the main house near the waterfall which is basically the big shot. I made her take a picture of us near a palm tree and she basically said there were NO volcano shots which I know to be untrue. Out of the whole 15 minute session, I got about 5 good photos of various members of our group. No good group shot and certainly nothing worth using as our Christmas card. HOWEVER, I would have still recommended it UNTIL I came back and heard about this price increase. Are you kidding me? For $25, it's worth it. For $75 and no enhancements, it's a personal choice but would not be worth it to me. In general, I was disappointed with the scarcity of photopass photographers throughout the parks. I had preordered the cd. In the end, the best pictures are my own but I would still preorder the cd if you are going to be there for several parks and several days. However, IMHO, the portrait sessions at the hotels need better photographers. I felt like I knew more than my photographer and I'm an amateur! Like I said, at the original price, it's worth it to take the chance you will get one good shot. But at the higher price, I wouldn't do it again. Like a pp said, wander around the resort yourself, find the best spots and then bring a tripod and set the timer. Once I get my cd, I'll post some of my "sun in the eyes" photos.

That's what I was afraid of. And that's exactly why we have decided not to to a photopass photoshoot for our upcoming December trip. I'll just take shots with my own camera.

 

[SandrA9810]

I had some one do a run down on it a couple days ago, and it confused the heck out of me.
I think it's ridiculous that they're raising the prices that way. I know it's popular, but popular for a reason. But there will still be people who plop down thousands for fancy upgrades that don't make much of a difference.

I did a test one at Wilderness lodge and got a free cd (and yes that's open to any one as long as you do it in like the first week of it opening at a new resort). I just signed the pictures away to be used for promotional purposes.
But I didn't like my photographer and I thought I was going to be with some one else I knew better. On top of the 30 minute limit, he had a bad leg so he was slow moving around. And didn't get the special looking at each other pictures, or the sitting on the ground in each others arms. Hello we both had black and white mickey ears with the Bride and Groom patch on it, and told him we just got engaged at the top of wilderness lodge the night before. But I didn't get any of those special romantic pictures.
But as Kari said "what are you going to do, demand a refund?"

 

[SandrA9810]

And a fellow cast member that told me to do it had the better photographer and had all those special pictures with his partner. I felt jipped.

 

[momsavealot]

By the way, I should also mention that, in each resort, they have a kiosk with a running slideshow of all the different poses. Check that out before your appt. b/c, like I did, you may have to DIRECT your photographer on where to go and what pics to take. So be prepared. I saw the slideshow after our appt. and was disappointed that my photog didn't even suggest half of those poses. UGH!
Another thing, is that I was pleasantly surprised with how many times complete strangers would offer to take a pic of our family so I could be in it or even a CM standing next to the photopass guy. THESE ended up being our best pics! Thanks Disney strangers!!!
OH, and another thing while I'm thinking. I had no idea that if you do early magic hour at MK, there are NO photopass photographers. We walked down main street after rope drop and not one photographer. So, remember that!

 

[JCandKT]

I went ahead and set-up our portrait session at the Beach Club for 9/18 at 6 p.m. and I got my reservation in before the price increase --- thanks for the heads up with that. I would have been really bummed out if I hadn't squeezed in there before that outrageous increase!

We're excited because our wedding pictures left much to be desired... and we haven't had a real portrait taken of us during our marriage... so hopefully, we'll be relaxed and the pics will come out great!

I'll post them when we get back!

Thanks.

 

[pinkerbell]

For those considering paying the $75. I want you to see some of our pics from last yr. These are the best.. I didn't even save the bad ones to my laptop which is how I am posting this...

It WAS NOT that dark out, so I don't know why they all came out so poorly. but I am not a prof photographer...

We could have been anywhere???
definately not worth paying $75.00 for

and we really liked being able to add the enhancements...

for those of you who go forward with it.. good luck :

 

[Kiki Lime]

Thanks for all the feedback. I definitely do not regret cancelling my appointment.

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

For those considering paying the $75. I want you to see some of our pics from last yr. These are the best.. I didn't even save the bad ones to my laptop which is how I am posting this...

It WAS NOT that dark out, so I don't know why they all came out so poorly. but I am not a prof photographer...

We could have been anywhere???
definately not worth paying $75.00 for

and we really liked being able to add the enhancements...

for those of you who go forward with it.. good luck :

Oh my goodness, look how light it is in that last pic compared to the ones that look like midnight! Someone must not have known what they were doing!

 

[zurgswife]

I will definitely make sure we get the same photographer next year if we do this again. Ours was great.

 

[Doug7856]

Over at DVCNews.com, Tim is reporting that the DVC member offer at SSR has been extended to December 31, 2008:

Member portrait offer available through December 31

Professional Portrait sittings are available now at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa for $49.95 plus tax, and Disney Vacation Club Members may take advantage of a special, limited-time offer.

Through December 31, 2008, Members who book a sitting at this location will receive a complimentary photo package that includes one 6-inch-by-8-inch photo and four 4-inch-by-6-inch photos from their session.

Guests have a variety of options following a photo session at the resort, from purchasing prints or a photo CD at the Disney's PhotoPass desk near The Artist's Palette gift shop (the desk is open daily from 8 a.m.-dusk) to simply using their Disney's PhotoPass card to access and purchase their photos online after they return home.

To schedule a session, call and remember to bring your Disney Vacation Club Member ID card to your session to receive the special offer.

So it sounds like the price will be $50 for DVC members with this special. OR, they may not have updated the price yet?

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Hmmm... curious new information. I know DVC gets a 10% discount on some photopgraphy service but it doesn't say it applies to the PhotoPass resort portraits.

I'll have to check into this. For a discount - I might risk it.

D4D

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I will definitely make sure we get the same photographer next year if we do this again. Ours was great.

Do you mind if I ask who it was? We just scheduled a BC shoot for Sept. 14th. I have talked to Clint and Justin on the phone, who both sounded like they knew what they were doing, but want to ask just in case they're not there.