Personal Vacation Photographer

[mershell]

I have a friend who's a professional photographer and he wondered how many people might be interested in hiring a photographer to take vacation photos of them while having fun in the park. I told him I'd ask around to see if there is any interest.

Do ya'll think there's a market for this sort of thing?

Thanks

Michelle

 

[ADLFAN]

I think that would be awesome! I just suggested it on another thread as a way to blow some extra money rather than pay for a room upgrade. I am always jealous of the WDW brides who pay extra to get in park pictures! I do not know what the legalities are, he would likely have to comply with whatever license / permit system Disney has set up for professional photographers. Price would be a bit of a factor, any thoughts on what he might consider charging for a 2 hour session?

 

[PollyannaMom]

I wouldn't hire one, but I would so love to be one! - I can imagine going on great vacations with people all over the world.

 

[jkolkemo]

I am a photographer as well and have thought of this. The problem is Disney really doesn't allow this. You have to go through and application process and get accepted, if you notice while in the parks you never see photographers doing sessions, only in downtown Disney. There are simple ways around it, by saying you are a family member, etc. But you can't ever look like you are doing a photoshoot. It takes away from the whole Disney feel.

 

[calilou]

It's a thing! I don't think it can necessarily sustain a photography career but could definitely be a component with the right marketing and exposure. We had my friend photographer follow us for a year documenting our life for a special project we did for my husband. We didn't bring her on a vacation but I would have loved it had we gone on one that year - like to Disneyland. It was wonderful having our experiences documented and really neat to look back on. Cost wise I think it would make the most sense if the photographer lived close to the park so traveling/lodging expenses aren't involved. There's potential there!

 

[mummabear]

I love the idea but think that the cost would likely stop is from doing it.
I also think it could be difficult from a Disney approval Point of view

 

[goldmay]

Personally I wouldn't be interested unless I were in the parks celebrating something really special (like a honeymoon or engagement) and only for an hour or two, not the whole day. On any regular visit I'd feel weird having someone follow me and my group around.

 

[mgd]

I assume this would cost at least a few hundred dollars, plus a 1-day ticket at ~$100 or more if hopper for the photog, so no, I personally don't see this worth it over the $70 you could pay for photopass+ locations.

Maybe for people like the kardashians who live off of having their pictures taken. And I agree unless he pretends to be a family member who just happens to look professional taking pictures, he is probably not allowed to do it. He probably couldn't advertise it.

 

[tzeitel]

I assume this would cost at least a few hundred dollars, plus a 1-day ticket at ~$100 or more if hopper for the photog, so no, I personally don't see this worth it over the $70 you could pay for photopass+ locations.

Maybe for people like the kardashians who live off of having their pictures taken. And I agree unless he pretends to be a family member who just happens to look professional taking pictures, he is probably not allowed to do it. He probably couldn't advertise it.

I would think the photographer would be a local and they would have an annual pass.

 

[mershell]

I am a photographer as well and have thought of this. The problem is Disney really doesn't allow this. You have to go through and application process and get accepted, if you notice while in the parks you never see photographers doing sessions, only in downtown Disney. There are simple ways around it, by saying you are a family member, etc. But you can't ever look like you are doing a photoshoot. It takes away from the whole Disney feel.

I think more of what he's after is getting candid shots of his subjects as they go about their day in the park. He'd shadow them. This is something I had wondered too, tho'...if Disney would fuss about it.

 

[Golf4food]

I think more of what he's after is getting candid shots of his subjects as they go about their day in the park. He'd shadow them. This is something I had wondered too, tho'...if Disney would fuss about it.

That's what I'd want. I can get posed pictures. I'd want them following around like they were a family member taking candid photos of reactions to things and interactions with each other and characters, etc. A fly on the wall.

 

[tiffjoy]

We had a photographer do pictures in the park last year and are doing it again this year. I love having family pictures at our happy place. It didn't cost any more than it would have to do a session somewhere else, and I always get professional pics done once a year anyway. Pictures are my thing; I'll never spring for the cost of a Disney hotel for our stay, but I don't blink at the cost to have pictures done that I can treasure forever.

It's not a problem as long as the photographer is not soliciting in DLR or getting in other guests way. Plenty of CMs saw what was going on and didn't say anything because we were very courteous and our photographer was constantly watching to be sure we were not impacting others.

 

[MinMou]

Found this on Facebook:
photography by jaana is based in los angeles, california. theme park and beach vacation photography packages start at $350.
http://www.photographybyjaana.com/

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... It's not a problem as long as the photographer is not soliciting in DLR or getting in other guests way. Plenty of CMs saw what was going on and didn't say anything because we were very courteous and our photographer was constantly watching to be sure we were not impacting others.

This! Thank you for your awareness of other guests and for being considerate! I can't tell you how annoying it is to have photographers (some of whom are professionals who should know better) actually push us out of the way or endanger other guests by creating posed shots. There was one photographer doing engagement photos at the Royal Swing Ball who was tripping dancers and hogging the floor by posing his couple repeatedly in crazy poses. So obnoxious. When they saw CMs approaching them, they fled.

 

[egritz]

I would love to do this eventually...will just have to convince my husband to let me spend the $$. I'm obsessed with documenting my children's lives through pictures. I'm assuming I'll convince him to let me at some point, but probably when the kids a little older (the baby just turned a year).

 

[offwithyourhead]

All I can think of is how cool it'd be to have a photographer shadow a couple before a surprise engagement (so the woman doesn't know, she just thinks the photog is a regular park guest until the proposal happens) and then follow them the rest of the day taking candids after the proposal.

If I had the money I'd just LOVE something like that.

 

[4Mickeys]

As a solo mum - I would have loved to someone to capture random spontaneous photos of us on our DL trip last year. I didn't think to do it in DL but I did hire a local Santa Monica photographer to do a family photo shoot on the beach near the pier as a memento of our trip - it was well worth the $ spent.

 

[tiffjoy]

This! Thank you for your awareness of other guests and for being considerate! I can't tell you how annoying it is to have photographers (some of whom are professionals who should know better) actually push us out of the way or endanger other guests by creating posed shots. There was one photographer doing engagement photos at the Royal Swing Ball who was tripping dancers and hogging the floor by posing his couple repeatedly in crazy poses. So obnoxious. When they saw CMs approaching them, they fled.

That's so incredibly rude. I would never want to ruin others people's experiences like that or even call that much attention to us. Our pictures were mostly of the girls meeting characters, us on a couple rides, in a few random, cute and quiet areas, and some in front of the castle. We meet very first thing in the morning so as to be in the lowest crowds.

 

[MinMou]

Tiffjoy, can you post a link to the photographer you used?

 

[ashleysev]

I would for an engagement or wedding shoot, but I wouldn't otherwise. It just feels weird to me!