Hiring a professional photographer for a session at Disneyland

[Califlove]

Has anyone hired a professional photographer lately? Does one need to get special permission for this or is it okay assuming your photog has a park pass/annual pass?
Any tips/advice?
Thanks in advance

 

[Aussie Princess]

I used a friend of mine who is a photographer who was an annual pass holder

The best advice I have is try and do the session at park opening less people around and use less thought out places we used the fountain in New Orleans Square and Grizzle Peak trail etc
Some of the best photos we have are our son riding King Arthur's all natural all raw

 

[Califlove]

I used a friend of mine who is a photographer who was an annual pass holder

The best advice I have is try and do the session at park opening less people around and use less thought out places we used the fountain in New Orleans Square and Grizzle Peak trail etc
Some of the best photos we have are our son riding King Arthur's all natural all raw

Thanks!
We are planning on meeting up with our photographer at park opening on a Tuesday. Choice b/w DL or DCA. Leaning toward DL because it's so classic.
Thanks for the advice re locations

 

[ParkHopper1]

FYI, from the DL website:

Q.

What items are not permitted within Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park?

A.

Items not permitted include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Selfie sticks (hand-held extension poles for cameras and mobile devices)

Folding tripod stands or monopod stands that can fit inside a standard backpack are permitted.

Equipment used for unauthorized photography, videotaping, recording, broadcast or transmission of any kind for commercial purposes is not allowed. Professional photographers with professional cameras or recording equipment, who are visiting the Disneyland Resort with the intent to take photographs or recordings of people, Disneyland Resort properties, or icons for professional purposes must request permission and make prior arrangements with appropriate Disneyland Resort representatives. Permission for any recordings or broadcasts on the premises are within the sole discretion of Disney

 

[ParkHopper1]

The consensus on that rule seems to be a guy following you around with a handheld camera is not a problem, a guy following you around with a tripod, camera bag and three cameras strapped to his neck will be a problem. As long as your photographer is aware of those rules and is discrete they should not have any issues.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

If it is for professional use it sounds like you need a permit. But I had a photographer take pictures of my family one time and no one said anything about permits. Granted we were discrete and the photographer only had one camera. The only time a security guard said something was just to remind us to not block any doorways. Also we were not wearing anything super noticeable. If you go in a wedding dress I'm pretty sure they will not allow that.

Good luck,
Kriss

 

[Califlove]

Thank you! Much appreciated. I will make sure to keep it casual. No wedding dresses indeed. We are celebrating our 18th wedding anniversary this summer on July 18th

 

[wilkeliza]

If they blend in with the family no one will realize it isn't Dad or Uncle taking pictures.

Where they will have issues is when they might have external lighting or defusing screens or anything like that. Also the photographer does risk having their AP revoked but many in the DL area are willing to take that chance.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Please make sure your photographer is aware of and considerate to the guests around you. Most photographers seem to be fine, but we've been shoved aside by photographers posing their subjects in crowded areas, seen kids stepped on and shoved aside, been subjected to harsh comments, etc. I realize the photographer is trying to focus on getting a great shot, but incidents like this can possibly injure someone or at least put a dent in their day.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Eww

I used a friend of mine who is a photographer who was an annual pass holder

The best advice I have is try and do the session at park opening less people around and use less thought out places we used the fountain in New Orleans Square and Grizzle Peak trail etc
Some of the best photos we have are our son riding King Arthur's all natural all raw

 

[theluckyrabbit]

What about the poor person who got that same horse next?!

 

[DisneylandDarling]

We've seen people with professional photographers inside the parks. We were sitting on the sidewalk across from the cinema waiting for the parade on Main Street when we saw a photographer getting a couple in front of the Christmas tree and then in front of the cinema. The photographer had the people on a section of the curb who were sitting for the parade get up and move so she could freely step on and off the curb for pictures, or that appeared to be the reasoning. They hung around by their spots so no one could take them.

I think as long as you're considerate of the guests around you, there's no problem with a professional photographer. You can get some pretty cute shots at Disneyland!

 

[DisneylandDarling]

Some of the best photos we have are our son riding King Arthur's all natural all raw

What about the poor person who got that same horse next?!

Wait what? All natural as in naked on one of the carousel horses at Disneyland?!

I think we'll pass this ride the next time we're in Disneyland...

 

[Aussie Princess]

Wait what? All natural as in naked on one of the carousel horses at Disneyland?!

I think we'll pass this ride the next time we're in Disneyland...

No not naked as in his reactions whilst on the ride not staged just all him raw emotions

 

[DisneylandDarling]

No not naked as in his reactions whilst on the ride not staged just all him raw emotions

Oh man! I think several of us (@theluckyrabbit and @smartlabelprint) thought you meant he was naked on one of the horses! lol

That makes much more sense! I bet those were some cute photos!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

No not naked as in his reactions whilst on the ride not staged just all him raw emotions

So relieved that "raw" in this context had a whole different meaning!

 

[Drusilla99]

I just got home from a 2 day senior picture excursion for my daughter. I was the photographer, but we also took advantage of the Disney photographers & once we told them what we were doing, many took off with her & took loads of pictures. Many cast members let us go in weird locations for good shots too. We have ap's so photopass is included. Just looked & lots of great pics to choose from.

 

[Califlove]

Sounds cool!

I just got home from a 2 day senior picture excursion for my daughter. I was the photographer, but we also took advantage of the Disney photographers & once we told them what we were doing, many took off with her & took loads of pictures. Many cast members let us go in weird locations for good shots too. We have ap's so photopass is included. Just looked & lots of great pics to choose from.

Great idea and glad the CMs helped you out
Any locations that you might suggest we try that looked good?
Thanks!

 

[mich311e]

I just got home from a 2 day senior picture excursion for my daughter. I was the photographer, but we also took advantage of the Disney photographers & once we told them what we were doing, many took off with her & took loads of pictures. Many cast members let us go in weird locations for good shots too. We have ap's so photopass is included. Just looked & lots of great pics to choose from.

That is such a cool idea! I'm going to have to keep that in mind for my Disneyland fanatic son. We saw the grad hat/ears while we were there and I thought that would be a great photo op. I didn't even think about taking pics around the park! Please share a couple of photos if you get a chance!

 

[Drusilla99]

Sounds cool!

Great idea and glad the CMs helped you out
Any locations that you might suggest we try that looked good?
Thanks!

We did everything...go to Pinterest and look for Disneyland picture spots and loads come up. We did toontown trolley, Main Street railroad, Columbia, teacups, too much to list...over 800 pictures in 2 days!