Private Photographer

[comstocky]

My wife and I are taking our 2.5 year old daughter for her first trip to Walt Disney World at the end of January. We are very excited to see her reactions to everything, so much so that we are thinking about hiring a private photographer to capture her first moments in the Magic Kingdom. We figure that this will free us up to just watch her expressions (outside of a viewfinder) without worrying about documenting the moment. We realize that the Disney photographers can take all of the staged photos for us, and we plan to use their services too, but we wanted a way to get all of the candid pictures that my wife really wants. Can anyone recommend any private photographers for this purpose? Alternatively, is there any way to work with (pay) Disney's photography team to have a photographer assigned to our family for an hour or so? Specifically we want pictures of her first time seeing the main street, the castle, and maybe on a ride or two.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Sent you a PM

 

[conandrob240]

I'd like to know this also. We are thinking about doing a 50th anniversary trip for my parents. Don't want to pay for Disney's wedding package for a vow renewal. Just thinking of everyone dressing up and taking some shots on the beach at Beach Club or around Epcot. Can disney photographers do this? If so, would it be part of the Memory Maker package? If not, can you recommend someone from off site who could come in as our guest and work with us for an hour or two?

 

[LilyWDW]

Technically, Disney does not allow Private Photographers to take photos inside their parks. It is private property after all.

I won't discuss if you could get away with it or not as the rules here on the boards are not to discuss ways to get around official Disney policies.

 

[Dznefreek]

I've said it time and again. . . . . .how would they know . . . .

 

[Networth]

I've said it time and again. . . . . .how would they know . . . .

Technically Disney could sue that photographer everything in the background of those photos Disney owns. That why when you purchase a picture from Disney your given the rights to use the pictures.

 

[disneydude365]

... have someone in your family who's good at photography or a close friend go with you on your vacation as part of your group, but let them know they are going to work! but give them time to explore on some days for themselves.

if they are disney guests you can take pictures of anything with personal cameras

 

[Dznefreek]

Technically Disney could sue that photographer everything in the background of those photos Disney owns. That why when you purchase a picture from Disney your given the rights to use the pictures.

again, how would they know. . . . . . .

 

[Networth]

again, how would they know. . . . . . .

You would be surprised their is a reason the government went to WDW of all places after 9/11. My point is what professional photographer wants to risk being sued by the juggernaut that is the mouse

 

[mb187143]

It's possible to have a local photographer get in under the radar (not suggesting it but I know it's been done), however Disney recently began allowing the photographers to photograph wedding events in the parks, accompanied by a media guide that brides have to pay for. Because they're now allowed in even a little bit, most of the local photographers will not risk going in to the parks in the way the OP would want. Since many of those photographers post samples of their work on their websites and Disney is familiar with them, it would be fairly simple for Disney to find out, and many have confirmed to past brides seeking this exact thing that they're not willing to do it and risk the consequences. That said, a family member or friend who is talented with photography would be a great choice. You could also see what Disney fine art photography has to offer (can't remember off the top of my head). They are not the same as the photopass photographers.

 

[Angel Ariel]

It's possible to have a local photographer get in under the radar (not suggesting it but I know it's been done), however Disney recently began allowing the photographers to photograph wedding events in the parks, accompanied by a media guide that brides have to pay for. Because they're now allowed in even a little bit, most of the local photographers will not risk going in to the parks in the way the OP would want. Since many of those photographers post samples of their work on their websites and Disney is familiar with them, it would be fairly simple for Disney to find out, and many have confirmed to past brides seeking this exact thing that they're not willing to do it and risk the consequences. That said, a family member or friend who is talented with photography would be a great choice. You could also see what Disney fine art photography has to offer (can't remember off the top of my head). They are not the same as the photopass photographers.

From the Disney Fine Art photography page, only those who book the Enhanced Photo Session (1 hr, $350) have the option to have their session in a park. The only park I saw photos from in their example galleries was Epcot (WS). The website only lists "Choice of locations around Walt Disney World". i'd imagine they'd give you more information over the phone on possible locations.

The $150 mini-session (20 mins) is only available at 5 of their resorts, no parks.

For those who would want photos at the resorts, not in the parks, it is quite likely that you'd find a great local photographer with better pricing for a 1 hr session than Disney's enhanced session. The photographer we used for our resort shoots in 2013 was closer in price to Disney's mini-session (more, but not much) for an hour's worth of time. He actually spent more than an hour with us (w/o charging extra) as he was incredibly patient with our DD who was 8 months and 15 months at the time of the 2 shoots. It was well worth the slight increase over Disney's mini shoot for the quality of pictures we received and the amount of time he spent with us.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

The photopass options are already stellar. A private photographer for a theme park...? I thought those were only for events like weddings and graduations ect.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Photopass is great for staged shots in their predetermined locations. It sounds like the OP wants someone to capture their daughter's candid moments in MK outside of those predetermined locations (with the whole family, not missing the parent who would otherwise be behind the camera) and that is not what photopass does.

 

[mjhannaf]

Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

Sent you a PM!

 

[Alice Royal]

Just take a video on your phone. A Disney pro photographer is something like $250...for one moment? Especially one that won't be remembered. It's just one photo or video, really.

 

[cgattis]

Are there still Photopass photographers at some of the resorts? We had one do our pics on the beach when we stayed at Beach Club. The boardwalk behind us made for good pics.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Just take a video on your phone. A Disney pro photographer is something like $250...for one moment? Especially one that won't be remembered. It's just one photo or video, really.

That won't be remembered by who?

I can't speak for anyone else, but I sure as heck am not forgetting my daughter's first reaction to seeing Mickey in person anytime soon. Or how adorable she was on the photo shoots we've had.

The child may not remember it, but that's precisely why photos are so wonderful. I have pictures of meeting Minnie Mouse on my first trip to Disneyland..my dad is holding me, and I'm reaching out to her. It's so cute, and even though I don't remember the moment myself, I treasure that picture.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Are there still Photopass photographers at some of the resorts? We had one do our pics on the beach when we stayed at Beach Club. The boardwalk behind us made for good pics.

Disney Fine Art Photography does mini-sessions at 5 resorts for $150 (for 20 minutes). This is what the old Photopass Photo Shoots at select resorts has become in the last few years.

 

[Networth]

Are there still Photopass photographers at some of the resorts? We had one do our pics on the beach when we stayed at Beach Club. The boardwalk behind us made for good pics.

I know for sure WL, GF, Poly, and AKL had them in front of the lobby trees during Christmas time.

 

[conandrob240]

What do these $150 mini sessions include? If you do memory maker, are all those pics included and you just pay the $150 for the photographers time?