Fine Art Photography Mini Session

[DizneyMommy]

Has anyone done the mini session through DFAP? I am a photographer myself so pickier than some people about our photos (ok, more bordering OCD ) I see it says images will be delivered immediately on a flash drive, so no retouching at all is what I’m reading. As I’ve had miserable experience with bad photopass photos, I would want to see a sample of a session. Are they using natural light and properly lit, or are they flashing the heck out of us in broad daylight? Are they sharp, well composed? Were you happy with them, regret doing it?

 

[DSLRuser]

I have had a few conversations with the photographers at Disney. For the most part, the cameras are all set upper them. They are not allowed to change settings, and in most cases just use a mixture of TTL flash and full auto.

As a photographer myself, the digital dark room is a big part of the process. And the sure volume of photos Disney takes both in the parks or private sessions does not allow for any retouching.

 

[mousehockey37]

Following.

 

[DizneyMommy]

I have had a few conversations with the photographers at Disney. For the most part, the cameras are all set upper them. They are not allowed to change settings, and in most cases just use a mixture of TTL flash and full auto.

As a photographer myself, the digital dark room is a big part of the process. And the sure volume of photos Disney takes both in the parks or private sessions does not allow for any retouching.

Thank you, this is exactly what I am wondering, whether it is basically photopass photographers or they provide contracted professional photographers from the approved wedding vendors. I know WDW is strict about not allowing unapproved photographers to shoot onsite, unlike DL’s basically don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t bother philosophy. I’ve shot many clients at DL and would love some quality portraits from our WDW trip but I’m not sure how to make that happen.

 

[DSLRuser]

I have had all my gear, including tripods and a light stand to do my kids and family shots. Never had anyone at WDW ever say a word.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I've done a resort shoot and the photographer had multiple lenses, reflectors, etc and an assistant to help adjust things just so. DFAP isn't perfect but it's a far cry from photopass photographers who don't know how and aren't allowed to adjust their cameras.

 

[DizneyMommy]

I've done a resort shoot and the photographer had multiple lenses, reflectors, etc and an assistant to help adjust things just so. DFAP isn't perfect but it's a far cry from photopass photographers who don't know how and aren't allowed to adjust their cameras.

Ok so they are allowed to change their settings? Are they actually Disney photographers or contracted? I’m just looking at the mini, and my concern is that they hand you a flash drive immediately and don’t do any clean up work on them.

 

[DizneyMommy]

I have had all my gear, including tripods and a light stand to do my kids and family shots. Never had anyone at WDW ever say a word.

Shlepping that from Arizona with 3 kids isn’t really an option, I’d rather pay someone. I just can’t spare the carry on for gear.

 

[DSLRuser]

my concern is that they hand you a flash drive immediately and don’t do any clean up work on them.

I would be ok with this, IF.... the gave me RAW files not .jpgs. Then I would be able to tweak all I needed and still get a decent shot.

 

[DizneyMommy]

I would be ok with this, IF.... the gave me RAW files not .jpgs. Then I would be able to tweak all I needed and still get a decent shot.

Yeah no it specifically says jpg, which makes me think they probably shoot in jpg.

 

[Lehuaann]

Has anyone done the mini session through DFAP? I am a photographer myself so pickier than some people about our photos (ok, more bordering OCD ) I see it says images will be delivered immediately on a flash drive, so no retouching at all is what I’m reading. As I’ve had miserable experience with bad photopass photos, I would want to see a sample of a session. Are they using natural light and properly lit, or are they flashing the heck out of us in broad daylight? Are they sharp, well composed? Were you happy with them, regret doing it?

We have the Enhanced Session booked for this April, and DFAP&V shared some of the differences.

The Mini Session is resorts-only and has no external flash, assistant, retouches, or high resolution greater than 8x10. It’s more geared toward smaller projects and social media. But the nice part is getting the flash drive right away.

We went with Enhanced because we wanted bigger prints; access to a park; and a clothes change.

They also sounded like actual Disney photographers with access before park opening, etc. The email also comes from Disney.

 

[Malestrom Troll]

Ok so they are allowed to change their settings? Are they actually Disney photographers or contracted? I’m just looking at the mini, and my concern is that they hand you a flash drive immediately and don’t do any clean up work on them.

They are Disney employees. They do touch up your photos. I don't know if it's the actual photographer or somebody else doing the editing. You can request a photographer but it's not guaranteed.

 

[LYSE]

We just did a premier session, what made us go for it was my sister's shoot was amazing, those pictures live up to the fine art title, ours however not so much, the guy was full of him self but we had several issues from problems with poses to uneven lighting and a lack of basic photo processing, we reached out to a manager and they have been working on re touching several photos for us for several weeks now ..we'll see how they turn out.

I wouldn't go for the mini or enhanced sessions as I'm told those are worse (by Disney)

I did also attempt to get raw files from them but they have so far avoided it, which makes me think they aren't even shooting RAW

 

[Malestrom Troll]

There are some amazing private photographers who will do shoots in the park. It can't be anything extravagant with external lighting, or look like a bridal session. At the resorts they can do a full setup. There are lots of former DFAP who have gone private.

 

[Lehuaann]

We just did a premier session, what made us go for it was my sister's shoot was amazing, those pictures live up to the fine art title, ours however not so much, the guy was full of him self but we had several issues from problems with poses to uneven lighting and a lack of basic photo processing, we reached out to a manager and they have been working on re touching several photos for us for several weeks now ..we'll see how they turn out.

I wouldn't go for the mini or enhanced sessions as I'm told those are worse (by Disney)

I did also attempt to get raw files from them but they have so far avoided it, which makes me think they aren't even shooting RAW

Hmm, how much is the Premier and what is the difference? I don’t see it listed on the website.

Edit - nm, just found it.

 

[Disney_Alli]

Ok so they are allowed to change their settings? Are they actually Disney photographers or contracted? I’m just looking at the mini, and my concern is that they hand you a flash drive immediately and don’t do any clean up work on them.

The photographer we worked with is one who also shoots weddings. They are real photographers who work directly with Disney. If you'd like something more edited than what Disney offers some of the most popular wedding photographers in the area also do family shoots at the resorts and some of them do them in the parks too. Some of the most popular are Regina Hymen, Randy Chapman, Cricket, The Roots.

 

[AllThingsMickey4]

We had engagement photos taken by DFAP in Epcot. I paid for the package that includes editing/retouching and they only edited maybe 3 or 4 of the photos? The lighting was very harsh (even though the photographer had an assistant that carried around one of those lighting things), so I went back in and softened them myself.

We had the Roots do our pictures around the Boardwalk and they were amazing!!! They are also shooting our Disney wedding. A lot of the outside photographers that are recommended by Disney Weddings won't shoot sessions in the parks as to not ruin their vendor agreement with Disney.

If you are set on doing pictures in the MK, The Canovas Photography did our MK engagement pictures and they were great as well!! We started right when the park opened and they were amazing about getting shots in between the people and finding nooks for pictures, so the park doesn't even look busy in our pictures.

 

[DizneyMommy]

We had engagement photos taken by DFAP in Epcot. I paid for the package that includes editing/retouching and they only edited maybe 3 or 4 of the photos? The lighting was very harsh (even though the photographer had an assistant that carried around one of those lighting things), so I went back in and softened them myself.

We had the Roots do our pictures around the Boardwalk and they were amazing!!! They are also shooting our Disney wedding. A lot of the outside photographers that are recommended by Disney Weddings won't shoot sessions in the parks as to not ruin their vendor agreement with Disney.

If you are set on doing pictures in the MK, The Canovas Photography did our MK engagement pictures and they were great as well!! We started right when the park opened and they were amazing about getting shots in between the people and finding nooks for pictures, so the park doesn't even look busy in our pictures.

Thank you! That’s exactly what I was looking for!

 

[DizneyMommy]

We just did a premier session, what made us go for it was my sister's shoot was amazing, those pictures live up to the fine art title, ours however not so much, the guy was full of him self but we had several issues from problems with poses to uneven lighting and a lack of basic photo processing, we reached out to a manager and they have been working on re touching several photos for us for several weeks now ..we'll see how they turn out.

I wouldn't go for the mini or enhanced sessions as I'm told those are worse (by Disney)

I did also attempt to get raw files from them but they have so far avoided it, which makes me think they aren't even shooting RAW

I am a photographer as well, and I can tell you that the vast vast majority of photographers will not ever provide RAW files to a client. I put it specifically in my contract as many others do as well. RAW files are basically unfinished, they require finishing up basically in professional editing software. You could not just send a RAW file format to be printed, and the files are very large so delivering them would even be difficult.

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

I have had a few conversations with the photographers at Disney. For the most part, the cameras are all set upper them.

This is true for photopass photographers, the Disney Fine Art Photography is different. I've used them several times and they are professional photographers. There's an assistant and real photography equipment is used. I personally was pleased. I prefer the enhanced session over the mini session but that's me. I think results are dependent on the photographer used and your personal preferences. If you are picky then I would convey that to the photographer during your session. We did 2 separate enhanced photo shoots at Epcot and were pleased with the composition and lighting both times. Two of my daughter's photos from Epcot are still up on their website : ) The mini session at MK had some good shots and some ho hum shots - I think that's typical though, you're never going to like all of them.