Exactly how good are the Photopass Photographers...

[MataHari22]

I would also try for a pre-park ADR to mitigate all the people in the background. Are PPPs available that early?

Yes, they were there early last year. I had an early pre park open ADR at Crystal Palace and got a few taken.

 

[BrittyRo]

Thanks for all the info guys. All that camera talk about apetures and lens sizes went right over my head I love taking photos on my iPhone but know nothing when it comes to camera settings etc. haha
I am getting memory maker so I'll just try and get as many pictures as possible. If they don't come out correctly I guess we'll use the hats on our engagement shoot back home :/
I appreciate the insights!

 

[cgattis]

I think the most helpful advice for your situation has been posted--take lots, in different places with different photogs. Hopefully you'll get at least one you like or can edit enough to work.

BUT, even though you have that shot in mind, I will say this: every big trip I take (or portraits I have done), I have some shot in mind that I MUST have. It will be "the one"--the cover of our photo book, gun over the couch, etc. And 90% of the time, that ends up NOT being my favorite shot. Went to AK in June and proved myself right again. I feel sure if you take lots, you'll get one you love. Have fun...and congratulations

 

[jacknsally19]

While I think you will get plenty of fun photos with memory maker, I also wanted to mention that you can book a photo session at WDW. http://disneyfineartphotography.com/portraits/

 

[BrittyRo]

While I think you will get plenty of fun photos with memory maker, I also wanted to mention that you can book a photo session at WDW. http://disneyfineartphotography.com/portraits/

Yes but they don't do shoots in the MK correct?

 

[disneypanda11]

While I think you will get plenty of fun photos with memory maker, I also wanted to mention that you can book a photo session at WDW. http://disneyfineartphotography.com/portraits/

Congrats on getting married OP! I wanted to share that we had a photo session at GF on our honeymoon trip, and while some of the photos are nice, none of them even hold a candle to the photographer we'd selected at home for our engagement and wedding pictures. I think a lot of it is personal preference, but I found a lot of the pictures taken during the photo session to be (a) of the point-and-shoot quality and (b) overly posed and not natural. I think with respect to both Photopass and photo sessions, it's going to be a mixed bag in terms of the quality of the photographer and thus the output. I'm really hoping someone can duplicate those pictures for you though because they're ADORABLE!

 

[danceintherain]

As others have indicated, it will be hit or miss. I think if you're planning on wearing the hats most of the time you'll probably get at least a few photos you love. Maybe you won't love them enough for your Save the Dates, maybe you will.

 

[jwolfpack]

Like others have said, try several photographers. Show them what you want. You don't need a long lens to get this effect; you just need a lens with a low aperture and someone who knows how to shoot in manual or aperture mode. Do you have anyone in your group with a DSLR? While the Disney photographers may not be able to change the settings on their cameras, they're allowed to use yours and might have the knowledge to nail the shot. If our trips crossed paths, I could get these for you in under 5 minutes. I don't get there until Oct 10 though...

 

[MataHari22]

Yes but they don't do shoots in the MK correct?

From what I've read, correct.

 

[DeAnna4140]

Super easy shots to get with the right lens. My guess is that the PPs are shooting with kit lenses and wouldn't be able to open up the aperture to get these shots.
If they can't get it, I would hang out by the castle for awhile and look for someone with a DSLR and just ask them. I'm sure somebody would help you out! Offer them lunch or something.
If you asked me, I'd do it for you. Never hurts to ask!

 

[Flamingeaux]

There was a funny book written by an ex Photopass photographer. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone that wants to keep the illusion of a perfect Magical WDW. It is a little raunchy.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I want to do my Save Date Photos at the Magic Kingdom and have examples of photos I want to have done...
View attachment 111812View attachment 111811
Do you think they would be able to capture these photos correctly?

I wouldn't count on it. If you absolutely have to have shots like those, and you can't have someone in your party take them, I would look into a photographer like Randy Chapman. He has very reasonable rates for his sessions. We've done 2 family sessions with him, and love the photos! He posts engagement shoots and wedding shoots at Disney on his facebook all the time. Photos like what you want would be a cinch for him.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Very rude. Unnecessary. Regular photographers aren't allowed into Magic Kingdom so my options are limited.

There are apparently now some who are allowed to take in park photo shoots. I don't know their rules/limitations, but I know I've seen the photographer I mentioned in my last post posting in park MK photo shoots. He's a well known and respected Disney wedding photographer, so he's not risking his business with them by doing something they don't allow.

 

[BrittyRo]

Thanks for all the input everyone! We've decided to do a session with Randy in the MK! I decided to not risk getting bad photos with photopass. He seems to get rave reviews and has a great photo portfolio!!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Not directly related to the photography, but keep in mind, some places may not print your save the dates if they have recognizable Disney copyrights (such as the ears, or the buttons). When my (then fiancee, now wife) and I took the pictures for our save the dates, I was wearing a polo shirt that had a small Mickey logo on the pocket area. Both Staples and Kinkos said they wouldn't print it because of the Mickey. I had to photoshop it off, so it looked like I was wearing a plain white polo before they would print it.

 

[MataHari22]

Not directly related to the photography, but keep in mind, some places may not print your save the dates if they have recognizable Disney copyrights (such as the ears, or the buttons). When my (then fiancee, now wife) and I took the pictures for our save the dates, I was wearing a polo shirt that had a small Mickey logo on the pocket area. Both Staples and Kinkos said they wouldn't print it because of the Mickey. I had to photoshop it off, so it looked like I was wearing a plain white polo before they would print it.

That's crazy, then how is anyone ever suppose to be able to have their WDW vacation photos printed or made into calendars, or on a mug, etc... if they won't print things that have a Mickey on it?
(I'm not saying I do not believe that happened to you, I just don't understand it.) I've never gotten anything done at either place.

 

[JacknSally]

Not directly related to the photography, but keep in mind, some places may not print your save the dates if they have recognizable Disney copyrights (such as the ears, or the buttons). When my (then fiancee, now wife) and I took the pictures for our save the dates, I was wearing a polo shirt that had a small Mickey logo on the pocket area. Both Staples and Kinkos said they wouldn't print it because of the Mickey. I had to photoshop it off, so it looked like I was wearing a plain white polo before they would print it.

That's crazy, then how is anyone ever suppose to be able to have their WDW vacation photos printed or made into calendars, or on a mug, etc... if they won't print things that have a Mickey on it?
(I'm not saying I do not believe that happened to you, I just don't understand it.) I've never gotten anything done at either place.

You just need a photographer release letter showing you have permission to print the photos. One should come with the MM package, either up front or on the disc. Your pro photographer will also give you one. Present those if you have any trouble getting prints and it will clear it up.

 

[Accident]

I want to do my Save Date Photos at the Magic Kingdom and have examples of photos I want to have done...

You can usually spot the photopass photographers that are good at photography. Try them all, it's free to let them take it. Disney does offer a proposal option to help make it more magical, doesn't sound like you need it but I want to say an experienced photographer is part of that. Might be worth calling them to see what it would run just to hire the photographer and take the picture exactly where you want it.

https://www.disneyweddings.com/engagements/ if you need the link.

 

[MataHari22]

You just need a photographer release letter showing you have permission to print the photos. One should come with the MM package, either up front or on the disc. Your pro photographer will also give you one. Present those if you have any trouble getting prints and it will clear it up.

I didn't think the poster I quoted was writing about Memory Maker photos. The poster referred to a Mickey on the shirt, and that is why they wouldn't print it. Tons of people who vacation at WDW are likely to end up having something on their clothing that has Mickey or another character on it, or end up capturing something that has a Mickey on it. There is nothing to present for those personal photos you take. :-/

 

[JacknSally]

I didn't think the poster I quoted was writing about Memory Maker photos. The poster referred to a Mickey on the shirt, and that is why they wouldn't print it. Tons of people who vacation at WDW are likely to end up having something on their clothing that has Mickey or another character on it, or end up capturing something that has a Mickey on it. There is nothing to present for those personal photos you take. :-/

That's true, but usually (not always) those don't look professional, so most photo printing places will let it go as they know you're not going to make money off of them. That's been my experience printing photos. The PP may have just gotten real sticklers (or their photos were really good).