Pictures in the park

[Princesspunkin]

I was wondering, since my vow renewal is also a family vacation, I was wondering if I could hire a photograpger to just follow my family and take pictures on the day we spend in the park? Do anyone know if that is allowed?
I want to get group shots with different characters and sometimes the photopass people are not around especially at the restaurants. I do not want anyone to be missing from the pictures. The pictues do not have to be posed shots just pictures of whatever we are doing that day.

Thanks for your help
Dawn

 

[sambycat]

Thee are no "outside" photographers allowed in the parks for that type of thing.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Thee are no "outside" photographers allowed in the parks for that type of thing.

I may be wrong but I am not sure this is entirely true. 'Gifts of a Lifetine' seem to do exactly this. I have never used them so I am not sure how it works, but I thought that I would share the link with you!!

http://www.giftsofalifetime.com/photoevent.html

 

[sambycat]

Hey if y'all want hire people who clearly have a business based on skirting the park rules, have at it! Anyone truly interested in the wedding ot vow renewal portion of their event can easily see that most of us are interested in working within park boundaries and there is a ton of info throughout these boards about the pros and cons of such, as well as other info. Good luck with uout trip and you may find quite a bit of info if you take a moment to actually peruse some of the threads!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Goodness, if that was directed at me, I am sorry I made you angry!!
I do read these boards quite a bit and have gained a lot of information from them. I am sure you have noticed that I am also a regular contributor.
I was merely pointing out that this company does this and, I am sure works within the rules. There are reviews on these boards about them and most are very favourable. I know this company has been operating for a number of years and I am pretty sure if they were doing something wrong, Disney would have jumped on them by now.
Here is a piece from their website and I would like to point out that they are featured in the 'Passporter's Guide' which, I think we all agree, is a very legitimate source of information

GOAL is not a part of the Disney company. GOAL began creating events that take place in and around the theme parks 10 years ago as a way to expand and individualize a guest's experience. We work strictly within the park's guidelines. We do not make your reservations for dining. We do not move you to the front of the line for rides. We do not interfere with the enjoyment of the theme park for any other guest in the park. For the limited events that do involve private banquet rooms, actual character appearances, catered dining, or rental of a specific location, we will assist in making all these arrangements and act as your on-site advocate to see that your wishes are honored as contracted with Disney.
Like I say, I concede that I may be wrong and if I am, I am very sorry. I also apologise if I offended you. That wasn't my intention and I was merely trying to help the OP

 

[girli565]

Many orlando photographers who are familiar with the rules DFTWs and Disney Parks set out will probably tell you they won't shoot in the parks because they don't want to lose the business they get from DFTWs.

Now there are some photographers who will shoot in parks during business hours (buying a ticket and coming in with their camera as a normal guest) because they're posted around here and on other disney wedding websites, but why chance it? You could get kicked out or banned. i understand wanting those pictures because the ones I've seen are amazing but the consequences you could face would outweigh the benefits.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Thank you
So am I wrong about the above company? Are they operating correctly? If not I find it confusing that they have a mention in the highly respected 'Passporter's Guide'

 

[girli565]

Thank you
So am I wrong about the above company? Are they operating correctly? If not I find it confusing that they have a mention in the highly respected 'Passporter's Guide'

From what I understand... and I could be wrong, I've heard that if it's for engagement pics then it's a no-no, but I don't know the specifics if it was for just a family vacation and you bring along a professional photographer. What I said above applies to the realm of wedding events like e-pics or bridal portraits or cladestine weddings because that's what I have knowlegde of.

maybe talk to the photographer and see what they say. I know that I, personally, wouldn't do it. I have a very good camera and just bring that with me.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Yes I think you are probably right
I think that the above company is probably operating within the rules - they have been around an awful long time and I am sure they would have been stopped by now!!
The OP, as I understand it, was asking about family photographs (not wedding or engagement shots) - it is just that the family trip is taking place because of her VR. I posted the link because this company seems to offer exactly what she is looking for and were, as far as I was aware, a recognised and established company who Disney is aware of. Perhaps this company is one of the few Disney trusts with this sort of thing.
Perhaps somebody else has experience of this company? I would love to know!!

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Gifts of a Lifetime is not a part of Walt Disney World or the Walt Disney Company. Our pixies are not Disney employees. Gifts of a Lifetime does not do anything that would violate the policies maintained by Walt Disney World and we will not contract to provide gifts or services that would be against these policies.

I got this from the Gifts of a lifetime website.

I agree with Tinkerbell 766, and if I may say so, I feel she received quite a harsh response. Disney are pretty quick to come down on any company operating outside the rules. Cast members in the theme parks simply wouldn't allow this company to operate their offered events if they were operating outside of the Disney terms.

I notice from their website that they also operate a room decorating service so there must be an agreement in place.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Claire sweetie - Thank you so much!!!

 

[CaptainObvious]

I thought the rule only applied to couples in their wedding attire at their DFTW.

 

[Chilly]

I thought the rule only applied to couples in their wedding attire at their DFTW.

Engagement photos are also not allowed.

I shouldn't think they'd have a problem with regular holiday type photos though.

 

[princesswendy720]

I've searched back a few years but I can't seem to find the official written policy from Disney about this. I'd imagine the rationale behind it is to preserve the integrity of their brand (or some nonsense like that lol...they don't have the same rule at Disneyland). With that type of mentality, it would seem to me like no in park photo shoots with outside photographers would be allowed (unless they are just singling out newly-engaged couples?) We know that in-park engagement shoots with outside photographers are not allowed. How would these differ from a family shoot? A couple is still a group of people in regular clothes. Basically, I can't see them banning one and for whatever reason allowing the other.

I'll keep searching for the official policy...

 

[MsEsty]

I think there is definitely a grey area in the subject. When you hire someone to just take photos of you and your family walking around, that really isn't different that someone already in your party with a super camera. My sister has a professonal camera/does photography on the side and she plans to take "hundreds" of photos during our trip.

Just remember (as someone already said) you would need to not only pay for their services, but the park ticket and the meal (you mentioned a restaurant.)

When you start to get into staged photos and "outfits" is where it really crosses the line. Then it goes from being a friend of the family to more profession when people hear "okay turn this way, okay now you get in here" and not just "say cheese".

 

[Princesspunkin]

Yes I think you are probably right
I think that the above company is probably operating within the rules - they have been around an awful long time and I am sure they would have been stopped by now!!
The OP, as I understand it, was asking about family photographs (not wedding or engagement shots) - it is just that the family trip is taking place because of her VR. I posted the link because this company seems to offer exactly what she is looking for and were, as far as I was aware, a recognised and established company who Disney is aware of. Perhaps this company is one of the few Disney trusts with this sort of thing.
Perhaps somebody else has experience of this company? I would love to know!!

I did not mean to start a war on here. I have read just about all the threads on this site for the last three years. Tinkerbell you are right. I do not wish to have e-pics, or wedding attire pics in the park. I just want someone to take pics of us as we ride the rides, see characters, look at the parades or whatever else you do in the park. I am willing to pay for their park tickets and their meals so they can take pics of us. I just do not want to be left out of the pics. They do not even have to pose us, just take natural pics. Just like a family member would. For many this will be their first trip, and their will be older ones, and I and my aunt are the only ones who know how to take great pics and we are always the ones left out of the pics. I just did not want us to be left out of the pics this time. I will give GOAL a call.
Thanks
Dawn

 

[Swmhc]

You can hire DPS for this as well.

 

[Belle2Be]

Holy harsh response! Tink, I'm with you on this, pretty much the only thing that Disney doesn't want in their park is wedding attire photos. I've heard engagment photos are frowned apon but I've seen so many engagement shots taken there its really a grey area.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I've searched back a few years but I can't seem to find the official written policy from Disney about this. I'd imagine the rationale behind it is to preserve the integrity of their brand (or some nonsense like that lol...they don't have the same rule at Disneyland). With that type of mentality, it would seem to me like no in park photo shoots with outside photographers would be allowed (unless they are just singling out newly-engaged couples?) We know that in-park engagement shoots with outside photographers are not allowed. How would these differ from a family shoot? A couple is still a group of people in regular clothes. Basically, I can't see them banning one and for whatever reason allowing the other.

I'll keep searching for the official policy...

I thought the rule only applied to couples in their wedding attire at their DFTW.

Engagement photos are also not allowed.

I shouldn't think they'd have a problem with regular holiday type photos though.

I think there is definitely a grey area in the subject. When you hire someone to just take photos of you and your family walking around, that really isn't different that someone already in your party with a super camera. My sister has a professonal camera/does photography on the side and she plans to take "hundreds" of photos during our trip.

Just remember (as someone already said) you would need to not only pay for their services, but the park ticket and the meal (you mentioned a restaurant.)

When you start to get into staged photos and "outfits" is where it really crosses the line. Then it goes from being a friend of the family to more profession when people hear "okay turn this way, okay now you get in here" and not just "say cheese".

You can hire DPS for this as well.

Holy harsh response! Tink, I'm with you on this, pretty much the only thing that Disney doesn't want in their park is wedding attire photos. I've heard engagment photos are frowned apon but I've seen so many engagement shots taken there its really a grey area.

Thank you all for your advice and support

I know and agree that wedding attire pictures are not allowed, and that engagement pictures are frowned upon. My point was that GOAL advertise that they do exactly what the OP wants. A photographer follows you around your chosen park and takes photographs (both candid and posed). I know if it were just any photographer, or professional-looking friend, you would risk being ejected from the park. My point was, however, that this company seem to operate within the rules and with the knowledge and blessing of Disney. They are endorsed by 'Passporters' and 'AllEars' (pretty reputable names) and is what the OP had been searching for. I didn't mean to open up this can of worms, I hope the OP will report back what she found out about GOAL.

 

[Chilly]

Thank you all for your advice and support

I know and agree that wedding attire pictures are not allowed, and that engagement pictures frowned upon. My point was that GOAL advertise that they do exactly what the OP wants. A photographer follows you around your chosen park and takes photographs (both candid and posed). I know if it were just any photographer, or professional-looking friend, you would risk being ejected from the park. My point was, however, that this company seem to operate within the rules and with the knowledge and blessing of Disney. They are endorsed by 'Passporters' and 'AllEars' (pretty reputable names) and is what the OP had been searching for. I didn't mean to open up this can of worms, I hope the OP will report back what she found out about GOAL.