This was annoying for us during last visit. We are a pair and I paid for memory maker so we were excited to get some shots around the parks.
It was an exceptionally busy January. There were instances when lines for photos had a lot of groups in front of us. Most on the line were couples or families of four or five. Sometimes, though, there was a multigenerational family. ie 8-15 people.
We noticed that several iterations of photos are taken with those big families. I’m talking like at least 30 photos with:
Grandparents and grandchildren only.
Parents with children.
All the children.
A breakout of each seperate family within the group.
Just the grandparents.
Just the women.
Just the men.
Just the parents.
It always seems to end with one younger adult that’s single and wants a solo photo while the family gathers their belongings strewn about the area. You’d think that would be one solo photo. But then you realize they want several taken for social media and online dating.
Then there’s the type of photo:
Some are quick shots.
Some involve family members posing other family members which takes time.
Some are magic shots in which 15 pax are trying to understand the directions and the photographer will actually help pose people one by one. Takes even more time.
It’s a long process with others waiting around.
In one instance a family in front of us got annoyed and left the line.
OK so then when it’s our turn, we notice it’s three quick photos. The magic shot is skipped. (Sometimes I had to ask. Sometimes I left it go because people were waiting). Its very “NEXT!” vibe. We couldn’t help but feel shafted.
What’s more is that sometimes it was clear the photographer got really into capturing different iterations of the family vs the family pushing for it. I think that’s great. They are creative after all! But, with a long line of people waiting sometimes it doesn’t feel fair. I started to wonder what their training is on this. If they are given any parameters on number of shots per fam, or any general guidelines.
I’m known to have the patience of a saint, but what’s the line between theme park photo opportunities and an all out photo shoot?
Related note: To the many folks that cavalierly walk past the line and jump into the side of the professional shot with their own camera to quickly take selfies or canned posed photos of your own group… All while the photographers and all of us have to wait for you to finish. Not cool.
It was an exceptionally busy January. There were instances when lines for photos had a lot of groups in front of us. Most on the line were couples or families of four or five. Sometimes, though, there was a multigenerational family. ie 8-15 people.
We noticed that several iterations of photos are taken with those big families. I’m talking like at least 30 photos with:
Grandparents and grandchildren only.
Parents with children.
All the children.
A breakout of each seperate family within the group.
Just the grandparents.
Just the women.
Just the men.
Just the parents.
It always seems to end with one younger adult that’s single and wants a solo photo while the family gathers their belongings strewn about the area. You’d think that would be one solo photo. But then you realize they want several taken for social media and online dating.
Then there’s the type of photo:
Some are quick shots.
Some involve family members posing other family members which takes time.
Some are magic shots in which 15 pax are trying to understand the directions and the photographer will actually help pose people one by one. Takes even more time.
It’s a long process with others waiting around.
In one instance a family in front of us got annoyed and left the line.
OK so then when it’s our turn, we notice it’s three quick photos. The magic shot is skipped. (Sometimes I had to ask. Sometimes I left it go because people were waiting). Its very “NEXT!” vibe. We couldn’t help but feel shafted.
What’s more is that sometimes it was clear the photographer got really into capturing different iterations of the family vs the family pushing for it. I think that’s great. They are creative after all! But, with a long line of people waiting sometimes it doesn’t feel fair. I started to wonder what their training is on this. If they are given any parameters on number of shots per fam, or any general guidelines.
I’m known to have the patience of a saint, but what’s the line between theme park photo opportunities and an all out photo shoot?
Related note: To the many folks that cavalierly walk past the line and jump into the side of the professional shot with their own camera to quickly take selfies or canned posed photos of your own group… All while the photographers and all of us have to wait for you to finish. Not cool.
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