Engagement sessions

[steph-in-ky]

Hello! I am a photographer thinking of moving to the Orlando area. I do mostly on location engagement and senior portraits. Do you think it would be a problem if I have clients wanting their sessions done on Disney property (resort, parks, Downtown Disney, etc)? I've found a couple photographers through google who have done this and just wondered if you've heard of anyone get into trouble for doing so. Thanks

 

[GrumpyGoat]

Yeah, there likely would be a problem if you didn't have permission beforehand. You'd be doing commercial photography on private property (Disney's) and most places like this have specific requirements for and possibly prohibitions against this kind of activity.

 

[HeatherLassell]

Hello! I am a photographer thinking of moving to the Orlando area. I do mostly on location engagement and senior portraits. Do you think it would be a problem if I have clients wanting their sessions done on Disney property (resort, parks, Downtown Disney, etc)? I've found a couple photographers through google who have done this and just wondered if you've heard of anyone get into trouble for doing so. Thanks

I commented on this already in the other post you made. But why not just contact Disney yourself? Ask "Is it allowed?" and see what they say. If it isn't allowed figure out (or ASK) what happens if you get "caught". Do they ban you from the park? I mean all you can do is ask for the information and make the best decision based on it.

Ok so a quick Google search got the answers you need: http://www.disneybabyblog.com/2011_07_01_archive.html

It looks like if you want to do this as a money making venture then you are better off to be in the DisneyLAND area.

Disneyland
•You can bring a professional photographer into the park with you without making prior arrangements with Disney. However, the photographer (and any assistants) must pay park admission and they can't bring in large pieces of photo equipment (lights, screens, etc.).
•You can have your photo taken anywhere in Disneyland (including on the rides) as long as you don't break any rules or disrupt the vacation of another guest. So, you can't have flash photos taken on a ride that prohibits them and you can't rope off areas or otherwise block other guests while you're having your photo taken.
•Disney is not responsible for any damage done to your photographer's equipment. (For example: if you're trying to get a shot on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and your photographer drops the camera on the ride, Disney won't pay for it.)
•You cannot take photos before/after park hours without special permission from Disney and it's usually only given in very special circumstances.

Walt Disney World
•Outside photographers are not allowed to do professional portrait sessions inside of the parks.
•"Sneaking in" with a professional photographer is risky because you can both get booted/banned from the parks.
•Outside photographers are allowed to take professional portraits at any resort or Downtown Disney area. Cinderella's castle is visible from the observation deck outside of California Grille and from the Polynesian resort beach. Part of Epcot is viewable on the pathway from the BoardWalk.
•If you'd like an in-park professional photography session for your family, Disney Fine Art Photography and Video offers two packages. Find more information about them here.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

From my converstations with Disney security, I think it is not allowed without their permission. They told me that anyone doing professional photography needed prior approval. They also need to have a Disney PR rep with them any time they are taking pictures. I have a friend that shot a corporate conference there and he had a handler the entire time.

If you ask, that's almost certainly what they will tell you. The alternative is to not ask and wait to see how they respond. My guess is that you won't get far, but that's just a guess. I've been asked by Disney staff if I'm shooting professionally and that's when I was by myself shooting random stuff. I think if you walked around with a couple and posed them in different places, you'd be even more likely to be scrutinized.

If it were me, I'd contact their PR department and ask about the rules. I wouldn't have my hopes set too high.

 

[WDWFigment]

^Mark is right on the money.

To get approved by the Disney media department, you have to be able to demonstrate that your purpose for the media request will have a demonstrable positive effect for Disney. (After all, they pay the escort, and they have to be able to justify paying that person.)

So basically, your options are to do what you want and hope for the best, or become widely renowned for your Disney photography, such that you can show them view numbers indicative of your photography being good publicity for Disney.

 

[Sam241]

Although this has already been stated I'll say it again.


Disneyland does not permit paid photography sessions inside the parks without a prior agreement and permission from Disney.


Also you can not sell photographs from inside the parks (IE you can't sell prints of the partner statue) as they are all copyrighted/trademarked by Disney.

That's why all my Disney photographs are free for download

 

[manning]

The way copyright law is written, you own the copyrights, however since you are shooting on Disney property Disney controls how the pictures can be used. You can take the picture but will need Disney's permission to sell them.