Is this strange?

[Cinderellagrl]

We were in Disney last week. When we were at MGM, my 5 year old daughter said to me "Mommy, that man just took my picture"...she said it twice until I finally realized what she was talking about. She pointed him out & when I looked over this man was walking alone & as I watched him he took a picture of the BACK of my 13 year old daughter & her friend. I was stunned. I kept yelling at DH and my sister about it. DH said it was probably innocent, but I'm just not sure. Now in hindsight, I wish I would've gone to a CM about it. I could see that maybe it would've been innocent taking a pic of my DD5 b/c she had her face painted, but taking a pic of two teenage girls as they have their backs to him? He was quite a distance from them and took them while he was walking, so it's not like I could've asked him directly what he was doing. I really regret reporting it. Do you think it was innocent or should I be concerned?

 

[Chuck S]

While there are "ill" people everywhere, your post doesn't really give enough info to make any sort of conclusion.

Since the photographer was some distance away (and walking), I'm wondering if perhaps he was taking a picture of something that was generally in your direction, where was your family located?

It is certainly not illegal to take photos at WDW...almost all of mine have other guests in them. Were your girls possibly wearing something a little unique that may have prompted someone to take a photo? I mean, sometime ago I was visiting WDW with friends, who happened to be related to a celebrity. They decided to wear some T-shirts from one of his concerts. I can't tell you how many photos were taken of these middle aged women in their concert T-shirts because the type of concerts the relative performs are generally thought to be for the "younger" crowd.

Did the girls have anything unusual? Like very long hair, do they look alike, whatever, anything that may be considered out of the ordinary?

My guess is that it was probably totally innocent, but you never know for sure. Even if there were something "strange" going on, a photo of two fully dressed girls (even from the backside) is probably going to do no harm to you and your family. So while this person may have had less than pure motives, there is little that Disney security could do, since taking a photo in a public place can't really be prohibited.

 

[CheshireVal]

I took a picture of the back of a teenage girl's head once because I liked her layered hair and was going to take a picture of it to my hairdresser. Of course, I was 19 myself at the time so I doubt it aroused much suspicion.

 

[Hippychickali]

I can certainly understand why you would be concerned. I know what you mean though - you didn't want to overreact. It could easily have been nothing, so I wouldn't get too upset. However, things like this do worry me too. They weren't wearing name tags or anything like that were they?

Ali

 

[phillybeth]

Were they wearing Bad Shoes?

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

I would be concerned. That being said, there is a funny web site devoted to people at WDW wearing horrindous or very inappropriate shoes. Maybe your girls were wearing something crazy or even they were snapping pictures of shoes beyond your girls. The pictures could have been of anything. You are right to be concerned, but I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. Everyone in your care is safe and sound.

 

[Cinderellagrl]

No, they weren't wearing bad shoes or anything inappropriate. They had on shorts (not short shorts) and regular t-shirts. What is the website about the bad shoes? I've never heard of it.

 

[CHIPSTER]

It is a website of pictures of people's feet at WDW wearing bad shoes. www.badshoes.com Good for a laugh.

I agree with the above posters that I wouldn't be too concerned since every one is safe although it is odd if he was specifically taking pictures of the back of your family.

 

[CheshireVal]

Actually it's http://www.badshoe.com

That other website was for a brand of shoe or something.

 

[CarolMN]

Did you happen to notice if it was a digital camera? Many people are just now getting them and the first place they bring them is on vacation to WDW. They can be a bit of a challenge to learn to use. Maybe he was just "practicing" .

FWIW, I also think you are right to be concerned - and good for you for being so observant! If that happened to me and mine, I'd just continue to keep a very close eye on the children in the party. Not sure I would have mentioned it to a CM or not, since there are so many reasons for taking pictures in the parks. Hard to know for sure what was intended.

Best wishes -

 

[Cinderellagrl]

He had a fairly large camera...looked like a professional one. DH thought maybe he was a professional photographer of some sort, so he had told me not to worry about it & not to report it. He said maybe they were making new pamphlets or something like that. I'm sure no harm will be done...but for me, it's just another reason I know that I wouldn't let my teenagers alone in the park. You never know.

 

[Scrappymags]

Honestly? Since this aroused your suspicion, I would be worried. I mean - your daughter said that comment too. Sure, it could have been innocent. I know it's awkward, but I would have walked up to him and said "did you just take a picture of my daughter?" and just seen his reaction. I think if he was up to no good he would probably be a bit "scatty" or run off or something or get very angry. If he laughed and said, "Oh God no.. I'm just taking pictures of that behind them", then I would apologize profusely and just move on. I think if you confront the person, their reaction will often give you the answer.

If you want to take a pic of someone else for what they are wearing, etc.. I say just ASK them!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I take photos all the time that get other guests in them. Do you know for sure he was aiming the camera directly at your girls or could he possibly have been taking a photo near them, or of a crowd shot?

I don't see how anyone could tell someone was taking a photo directly of them from a distance.

I think you are right to be so observant, but that this is probably not anything to worry about.