Disney Photo Session PART II

[sweetpee_1993]

Guys! I DON"T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!
I've looked over the photos and most I see are just gorgeous. I think whats holding me back is what if I get that one photg thats just not good...
I had photopass shots done 2 yrs ago, and let me tell you-I'm glad I have the pics, but the quality isn't there. But thats what I'd expect for photopass, so its fine.
But this-no, I don't expect that. If I hire an off site photog, at least I can see his prior work and there's somewhat of a guarantee.
I just keep thinking, perhaps the disney photogs know the resorts better, for good shots...and if we want to we can do a park session...
aagaghhhahhh!

You can go look at the links that we've all posted of our sessions to see examples of the quality you should expect from the Fine Art Photography. Also you can look at their example gallery on the website. I don't think any of us had the same photographer. I think what Disney is doing is showing the quality level you should expect no matter which photographer you get vs. examples from each individual photographer. Another key to a happy ending no matter if it's a Disney photographer or an outside photographer is for you to verbalize very specifically what you want to see in your pictures such as combinations of people, backgrounds, and styles (such as candid shots, action shots, etc) to name a few. Be specific! Describe what you like when you look at portraits. Do you like to see a focus on the setting with the people as a small portion of the shot? Do you like the ones where it's not posed and it looks like a private moment was captured? Do you like to see your children playing together? That sort of thing. Does that make sense? You're right, if being inside a park is a priority (as it was for me) then that makes your decision for you. I agree with the notion that Disney's photographers will know their surroundings best. That certainly seemed to be the case with our photographer, Dean. We described what we wanted including specifics. He went to work showing us where to get and what to do which I felt produced a great result.

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what you're comfortable doing. I don't want to say "Go with Disney!" because it has to be something you are okay with. I can tell you that a certain amount of my choice for my family was literally a leap of faith, that the quality of our portraits would be in-line with the examples I had seen on the website. In the end, I feel like we got exactly what we paid for.

Good luck and feel free to ask any specific questions that might help in your decision process. That's what sharing our experiences is all about, right?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

OMG! I had to share this with y'all right quick before my oldest pries my fingers from my keyboard here.... LOL! My friend from Newfoundland just got her link to her images from their expanded photo shoot at the Yacht Club last month. Guess what her reaction was??? Yep. Same as the rest of us. She's all "I just don't think my pictures are as good as yours are....I don't like the ones with me in it...." I explained to her that this seems to be a common reaction amoungst us girls. I told her the exact same think I said to rjvose17. I also brought up the fact that I didn't email her my link the moment I got it because I had the exact same reaction. First time thru I looked at myself in every picture more than I looked at anything else and picked apart what I didn't like. Then I spent time going thru the pics and finding all the treasures there, my guys and how much I looooved all the pictures of them and our beautiful surroundings. That's when I fell in love. It wasn't an instantaneous thing by far. When I was okay with the pictures is when I shared the link with her and with y'all. I think it's totally great that we're all sharing this part of the whole photo shoot experience because, to me, it's helpful to acknowledge the emotions we have at that point in the process and understand what's really going on. Knowing that several of us seem to have this reaction/moment and it's not just me is a comfort. Really.

 

[3pletprincesses]

My friend from Newfoundland said she thinks she was told that there was a higher resolution cd available for another larger amount of moolah but I forgot to ask last time I called. I don't know if that's true or not. I'll go email and ask.

I asked when I booked and when I called later to ask where was our cd and was told that only 1 format was available which is like mentionned a resolution for 8x12 max. I tried to do a 11X14 and the photos wasn't great. I think they are trying to make money but having us order the bigger pictures from them.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I asked when I booked and when I called later to ask where was our cd and was told that only 1 format was available which is like mentionned a resolution for 8x12 max. I tried to do a 11X14 and the photos wasn't great. I think they are trying to make money but having us order the bigger pictures from them.

I think yes and no. I imagine the resolution required to produce the big prints would make for some pretty big files that might not be usable by your average consumer. I'm really not sure. I do think the prices are pretty jacked on the big mounted prints. On Mpix.com (website a lot of professional photographers use to order these things) the prices for the foam board mounted prints I want are $100 or more less than Disney's price. I'm all for Disney making a little off the big prints but there's quite a difference between padding yourself with a little mark-up and sticking it to someone. Eh, it is what it is. Necessary evil and all that jazz....

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Just wanted to update: our photo cd & proof book arrived via UPS this morning. That took a little over a month and a half since our photo shoot on 9/11. Just for a time reference for others....

 

[Sleepydee]

My DF and I had our engagement photos taken back in November on the boardwalk, and it was amazing!!! Our photographers name was Dean, and he was awesome! Me and my DF are kind of shy - but within 5 minutes we were completely comfortable with him, laughing and joking - just having a great time! With in 4 weeks we had our photo and they came out FANTASTIC!

We signed up for the engagement package for $300. It was an hour long session which included all the images online to order then they sent us 1 4x6 copy of each print - from those we get to choose 36 photos to make a photo book that they send to us.

 

[goofyluva9293]

I had my DD20's Senior Portraits done at GF and POLY in 2010 and they were absolutely gorgeous! I called today to schedule my DD18's Senior Portraits for mid-February and found out about all of the changes they've made. I went ahead and booked 1 mini-session at GF on Feb. 18 and 1 mini-session at POLY on Feb. 19. (They wouldn't do both on the same day like my other DD did, even though they had the times available...) They also told me to think about if we want indoor or outdoor photos. I told them for my other DD they did both at each resort. She said they MAY be able to do both but it just depends on time so to come with the mindset of 1 or the other. I am keeping my fingers crossed that these turn out as well as the 1st ones did. If it wasn't for the fact that I've promised my DD18 that she'd get the same pics done as her sister, I wouldn't have done it. The price is higher, you get less, you have to pay in full a week before and they have so many more rules. But it means so much to my daughter, so I'm biting the bullet and paying the extra money. I'm hoping for a good experience. I'll let you all know how it turns out! Wish me luck! lol!

 

[teresajoy]

We are hoping to be able to do this in May for our big family trip. Does anyone have any more pictures of their session that they can post? "(all the photo albums posted have expired). This is a trip for my SIL who has stage 4 breast cancer, and we would really like some nice family photos done. There will be 15 of us and we are going in May. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions?

 

[Elleshoodat]

I'm curious to see how recent experiences are going, too. We will be there in May, and I'm debating whether to schedule a mini or enhanced session to get some family portraits and 18-month pictures of DS.

Anyone? Bueller?

 

[goofyluva9293]

We had day 1 done at the GF and day 2 done at POLY... For both of my DD's we liked the POLY Pics the best! We had the same photographer both days and she was great (although regretably, I can't remember her name to save my life). She spent much longer with us than the allotted 20 minutes. I think we were just lucky that she didn't have any appointments after us. I think we are going to do the longer, in park portrait session for myself and my 2 DD's when we go in May 2013. We ended up with around 60 pictures from each resort. Some of the were just different angles of the same shot but I still feel like it was alot of pictures to chose from. I didn't want to take the time to put them all on here so I just put a few of my favorites from the sessions on flickr....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goofyluva9293/sets/72157629102350688/

PS - The "class" "of" "2012" are meant to be in a row even though flickr wouldn't let me put them that way! lol!

 

[Elleshoodat]

Wow, those are awesome! Your DD is beautiful.

The Poly pics are my favorite, too, but now I'm torn -- I had my heart set on the Beach Club! Decisions, decisions...

Thanks so much for taking the time to share.

 

[2Tiggies]

We had day 1 done at the GF and day 2 done at POLY... For both of my DD's we liked the POLY Pics the best!

We also did GF and did the Poly the year before and preferred the pics from the Poly. I think it's just the colors at that resort and the setting that makes for better pictures. Not really sure what it is but the GF ones, lovely as they are, do look somewhat bland by comparison. That said, I have no regrets about the change in scenery and our session was well worth the money (both of them)

 

[Elleshoodat]

I just booked a 20-minute session for me, DH and DS for the morning of May 3 at the Beach Club. I am SO excited and am already thinking about what kind of shots I want -- and, of course, what we should wear.

 

[fflmaster]

Has anyone done a photo shoot at AKL?

Looking to try something different on our next trip in june.

 

[MinnieMouseMom]

We had day 1 done at the GF and day 2 done at POLY... For both of my DD's we liked the POLY Pics the best! We had the same photographer both days and she was great (although regretably, I can't remember her name to save my life). She spent much longer with us than the allotted 20 minutes. I think we were just lucky that she didn't have any appointments after us. I think we are going to do the longer, in park portrait session for myself and my 2 DD's when we go in May 2013. We ended up with around 60 pictures from each resort. Some of the were just different angles of the same shot but I still feel like it was alot of pictures to chose from. I didn't want to take the time to put them all on here so I just put a few of my favorites from the sessions on flickr....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goofyluva9293/sets/72157629102350688/

PS - The "class" "of" "2012" are meant to be in a row even though flickr wouldn't let me put them that way! lol!

Thanks for sharing those pics! My husband and I are thinking about having some pics taken this summer for my daughter's senior pics. I'll have to show her those to see what she thinks.

 

[bear_mom]

Trying to figure out if the 20 minute session is worth while...

I know I won't convince dh to do the hour long session, but I could swing the 20 minute one. We are a family of 4: me, dh, dd (12) and dd (10). I would do the Beach Club - we are staying at the Dolphin so it would be just a quick walk over.

How many pictures do you think we could get/locations?

Anyone have any suggestions for locations at the BC, I would want a few that were obviously "Disney'ish".

Thanks,
Emily

 

[ChrisParker]

What a great thread! DF and I are going to spend our honeymoon at the Poly and I think the 20 minute session will be perfect for us. We're also going to return for our "Familymoon" with our 4 kids later in the month...I'm thinking it might also be nice to return to the Poly and do some family pics as well.

Does anyone have a recent gallery they can share? I loved the grad pics on Flickr and also the beautiful pics posted in the thread.

How far in advance should I book?

Thanks again...

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Anyone booked a shoot last minute. The two we did (at GF in 2007 and Poly in 2010) we booked about a month in advance. Last year we considered a shoot at AKL but decided against it. Thinking about doing it at Beach Club this year but would prefer to make our arrangements when we arrive.

 

[2Tiggies]

Anyone booked a shoot last minute. The two we did (at GF in 2007 and Poly in 2010) we booked about a month in advance. Last year we considered a shoot at AKL but decided against it. Thinking about doing it at Beach Club this year but would prefer to make our arrangements when we arrive.

They don't book up nearly as quickly as the other pre bookable Disney events/services. Last year we booked 2 weeks before we left and were offered a whole range of times and days to choose from. There was nobody scheduled for the shoot after us either so I can't see it would be a problem if you have at least a few potentially suitable dates to play with. Also looking at the Beach Club this year, just for something different as AKL and WL have now been removed from the list so that is the only remaining one we haven't done.

 

[teresajoy]

We had day 1 done at the GF and day 2 done at POLY... For both of my DD's we liked the POLY Pics the best! We had the same photographer both days and she was great (although regretably, I can't remember her name to save my life). She spent much longer with us than the allotted 20 minutes. I think we were just lucky that she didn't have any appointments after us. I think we are going to do the longer, in park portrait session for myself and my 2 DD's when we go in May 2013. We ended up with around 60 pictures from each resort. Some of the were just different angles of the same shot but I still feel like it was alot of pictures to chose from. I didn't want to take the time to put them all on here so I just put a few of my favorites from the sessions on flickr....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goofyluva9293/sets/72157629102350688/

PS - The "class" "of" "2012" are meant to be in a row even though flickr wouldn't let me put them that way! lol!

Thanks for sharing the pictures! I love the Poly pictures! I think we've decided to have our family pictures done there. Thanks for helping us decide.

They don't book up nearly as quickly as the other pre bookable Disney events/services. Last year we booked 2 weeks before we left and were offered a whole range of times and days to choose from. There was nobody scheduled for the shoot after us either so I can't see it would be a problem if you have at least a few potentially suitable dates to play with. Also looking at the Beach Club this year, just for something different as AKL and WL have now been removed from the list so that is the only remaining one we haven't done.

That's good to know! We go in May and I've contacted them, but hadn't set our dates yet.