Professional Photoshoot at Disney

[mimi0884]

Has anyone done a professional family photoshoot at Disney? I'm looking for feedback on how to best work this into our stay. Did you do it on an "off day"? Try to fit it in during a mid-day break? I really want to do this but I'm worried about it taking up a lot of time.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We've never done it but looked into it. From what I understood, it books fast and they seem to offer it "x" amount of times. Certain places, certain times. We got married at Disney World, used Disney photography and had a photo session around castle and merry go round. There are a lot of rules.

 

[mimi0884]

We're using a private photographer, not a "Disney One".

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Look into private photographers. The Disney photographers are hit or miss. You get whatever staff is available that day.

 

[mimi0884]

Look into private photographers. The Disney photographers are hit or miss. You get whatever staff is available that day.

That's what we are lining up

 

[Crystal824]

We usually do a professional photographer shoot during our stay. We don't use a Disney photographer. Our photographer requests that she do it in the morning or in the evening due to lighting. We usually choose morning, do the shoot, and then hit a park after.

 

[PrincessMommyof3]

Any suggestions. For private photographers?

 

[Crystal824]

We use Jen Stevenson Photo. http://jenstevensonphoto.com/ She is great to work with, does great professional work, and is reasonable for a professional photographer.

 

[imthemamahere]

The best light for photography is fairly early in the morning before the sun gets too high, or in the last hour or two before sunset - what's known as "the golden hour" because of the beautiful golden tone to the sunlight. Think of how you squint in bright sunlight at noon, and the shadows that can come down your face (under your eyes, nose, lips, chin) when the sun is high overhead. Yes, a professional photographer worth the name will have the right equipment and know-how to work around the less-than-ideal lighting of midday, but for the best results (and you're paying enough to want the best, right?), I'd definitely suggest going with a late afternoon/pre-sunset photoshoot. Unless your family (and your photographer!) are cheerfully early risers and want to bang out the photos first thing... (When I pay for a professional photo session, I always book late afternoon.)

As for how to make that timing work, if you don't want a resort/mini golf/etc day, I'd say pick a park that you're going to more than once... or that you consider to be a half-day park... one you don't mind being at for a shorter time that day. Do your morning/lunch/early afternoon as you wish, leaving the park with enough time to freshen up (plus nap and probably grab a light snack, if you have littles who you want to keep from getting cranky) before you meet your photographer. You didn't say when you were going - obviously you'll need a bit more "freshen up" time in August than in, say, December, when you aren't as likely to be covered in sweat from a day at the parks!

I'm going to check out any recommended photographers as well, I think. A few years ago, we did a family photo session with the Disney photographers (once, at the Beach Club) and it came out great, but I have since heard that that's luck of the draw - that some photographers are better than others. That said, we did love the photographer/assistant who shot our pics back in 2011, so I'd consider requesting them again... if I could remember their names! (I'm the worst with names.)

 

[mimi0884]

Any suggestions. For private photographers?

We are using this one. Our first time with her but I like her work so far. https://www.facebook.com/magicalpixbycandi/?fref=ts

 

[mimi0884]

The best light for photography is fairly early in the morning before the sun gets too high, or in the last hour or two before sunset - what's known as "the golden hour" because of the beautiful golden tone to the sunlight. Think of how you squint in bright sunlight at noon, and the shadows that can come down your face (under your eyes, nose, lips, chin) when the sun is high overhead. Yes, a professional photographer worth the name will have the right equipment and know-how to work around the less-than-ideal lighting of midday, but for the best results (and you're paying enough to want the best, right?), I'd definitely suggest going with a late afternoon/pre-sunset photoshoot. Unless your family (and your photographer!) are cheerfully early risers and want to bang out the photos first thing... (When I pay for a professional photo session, I always book late afternoon.)

As for how to make that work, if you don't want a resort/mini golf/etc day, I'd say the best thing is to pick a park that you're going to more than once... or that you consider to be a half-day park... one you don't mind being at for a shorter time that day. Do your morning/lunch/early afternoon as you wish, leaving the park with enough time to freshen up (plus nap and probably grab a light snack, if you have littles who you want to keep from getting cranky) before you meet your photographer. You didn't say when you were going - obviously you'll need a bit more "freshen up" time in August than in, say, December, when you aren't as likely to be covered in sweat from a day at the parks!

I'm going to check out the recommended photographers as well, I think. A few years ago, we did a family photo session with the Disney photographers (once, at the Beach Club) and it came out great, but I have since heard that that's luck of the draw - that some photographers are better than others. That said, we did love the photographer/assistant who shot our pics back in 2011, so I'd consider requesting them again... if I could remember their names! (I'm the worst with names.)

I'm actually an assistant for a photographer so I know about the lighting

We are going in Dec so I was counting on the "don't need as much freshening up"! I booked a late afternoon- figured we can do a little park time, come back for a rest/clean up, then shoot- maybe back to the park or out for a nice dinner

Thanks for your input!

 

[imthemamahere]

Ah. You're a pro yourself, then!

What photographer did you go with? I hope your photo shoot captures just what you want it to.

 

[mimi0884]

Ah. You're a pro yourself, then!

What photographer did you go with? I hope your photo shoot captures just what you want it to.

https://www.facebook.com/magicalpixbycandi/?fref=ts

 

[mommy2twingles]

You won't be disappointed with Candi. We used her on our last trip and thought she did great work. This is the second time we did a private photographer and really preferred her for family work. We did a morning session and then headed to the park after

 

[mimi0884]

You won't be disappointed with Candi. We used her on our last trip and thought she did great work. This is the second time we did a private photographer and really preferred her for family work. We did a morning session and then headed to the park after

Oh I'm glad her hear that! All the reviews on FB were so positive so I am hoping we have the same experience