Question about on board photos

[dtres]

We are first time DCL cruisers and I wanted to buy a pre cruise photo package but after reading reviews/comments about "shutters" on here I've opted not to. My question is in regard to bringing our own camera and how photo opportunities (outside of princess meet and greet events which as I understand will require tickets) work.
If we bring our own DSL camera will the cruise photographers use them much like the photopass photogs at the parks? Also in regard to pirate night/formal night etc. how do we know where/when photos are taken? (the navigator I presume??) Are these optional or in a sense mandatory? (ie everyone passes by pirate mickey for photos in order to enter their dining venue on pirate night?)

Would also appreciate incites from anyone regarding cameras on the cruise in general. I was actually hoping not to have to lug the DSL camera with us as its such a pain, esp. when on excursions I would imagine. Do many ppl bring their cameras or just use their phones?

I hope that makes sense and thank you all in advance!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are first time DCL cruisers and I wanted to buy a pre cruise photo package but after reading reviews/comments about "shutters" on here I've opted not to. My question is in regard to bringing our own camera and how photo opportunities (outside of princess meet and greet events which as I understand will require tickets) work.
If we bring our own DSL camera will the cruise photographers use them much like the photopass photogs at the parks? Also in regard to pirate night/formal night etc. how do we know where/when photos are taken? (the navigator I presume??) Are these optional or in a sense mandatory? (ie everyone passes by pirate mickey for photos in order to enter their dining venue on pirate night?)

Would also appreciate incites from anyone regarding cameras on the cruise in general. I was actually hoping not to have to lug the DSL camera with us as its such a pain, esp. when on excursions I would imagine. Do many ppl bring their cameras or just use their phones?

I hope that makes sense and thank you all in advance!

No, the Shutters photographers will not use your camera to take your picture. At some locations the Shutters photographer has a DCL CM assisting. They will use your camera to take your picture. But not all locations allow this.

All photo ops are optional. Most set photo locations are in or near the atrium. Most nights before/during dinner.

My husband brings the "good" camera, and I use my little point and shoot. Most of our photos from our cruises are taken on my point and shoot. My husband uses the fancy camera for the photos that require zoom, like on our Alaska cruises.

If you think there is the possibility that you may want to purchase the photo package, I'd suggest you do so pre-cruise. There's a pre-cruise discount. If you find that you're not getting enough photos taken by the Shutters photographers to justify the price, you can cancel the package for a full refund, as long as you do it by the last full day of the cruise.

There are also roving photographers in the dining rooms nightly, and at Castaway Cay.

 

[Quellman]

I would mention that at most of the backdrop locations (where there is a background scrim you stand in front of) those are all Shutters persons only and they will certainly not let use your own camera. They also will not allow you use your own camera with their backgrounds (even if you find someone to take the picture).

 

[dtres]

No, the Shutters photographers will not use your camera to take your picture. At some locations the Shutters photographer has a DCL CM assisting. They will use your camera to take your picture. But not all locations allow this.

All photo ops are optional. Most set photo locations are in or near the atrium. Most nights before/during dinner.

My husband brings the "good" camera, and I use my little point and shoot. Most of our photos from our cruises are taken on my point and shoot. My husband uses the fancy camera for the photos that require zoom, like on our Alaska cruises.

If you think there is the possibility that you may want to purchase the photo package, I'd suggest you do so pre-cruise. There's a pre-cruise discount. If you find that you're not getting enough photos taken by the Shutters photographers to justify the price, you can cancel the package for a full refund, as long as you do it by the last full day of the cruise.

There are also roving photographers in the dining rooms nightly, and at Castaway Cay.

Really? They will refund your money if you're not happy with the results?
Wow, that does make it more appealing...
Here's the policy on their website:
"Refunds: If for any reason you change your mind and decide to return your order onboard, please see a photographer in Shutters before the last morning of your cruise. Orders cancelled during the sailing will receive a refund to your original form of payment. We are unable to offer stateroom credits for cancelled items. After you collect your items, we will refund 100% of the cost of any faulty or damaged product except for the following: We cannot provide partial or full refunds, exchanges or substitutions for any personalized items such as Get the Picture!,PhotoBooks or printed photographs. For defective products exclusive of the aforementioned, if a replacement is unavailable a full refund will be issued. If still onboard your cruise, please return the defective product to the Photo Gallery."

Thank you for directing my attention to this!

 

[Snowwhyt]

We are first time DCL cruisers and I wanted to buy a pre cruise photo package but after reading reviews/comments about "shutters" on here I've opted not to. My question is in regard to bringing our own camera and how photo opportunities (outside of princess meet and greet events which as I understand will require tickets) work.
If we bring our own DSL camera will the cruise photographers use them much like the photopass photogs at the parks? Also in regard to pirate night/formal night etc. how do we know where/when photos are taken? (the navigator I presume??) Are these optional or in a sense mandatory? (ie everyone passes by pirate mickey for photos in order to enter their dining venue on pirate night?)

Would also appreciate incites from anyone regarding cameras on the cruise in general. I was actually hoping not to have to lug the DSL camera with us as its such a pain, esp. when on excursions I would imagine. Do many ppl bring their cameras or just use their phones?

I hope that makes sense and thank you all in advance!

My first year 2010 I loved shutters and bought the photos and disk on the ship at full price because I didn't know there was a early discount offered. They really had great shots when my husband wasn't making a clenched fist because he was tired of having pictures taken, or my daughter would squint her eyes and look like she drank all the Pirates rum, or when I'd open my eyes SO wide that I'd look like I was about to eat somebodies children. I'm quite sure just the look of our bunch would've broken their camera! They were great photos and super nice that only a few came with borders! I did a Photo book and I couldn't be happier.

Second cruise 2014/15 New Year's Eve cruise. My husband and his clinch fist stayed home. This time with me, my daughter (who no longer does squinty eye), and my Mom and Dad. Apparently "squinty eye" is a genetically passed on trait as my mother has shown in all of the pictures from that year. I certainly can't blame the photographers for that. Although the poses that they asked for were confusing and awkward. The hands on the hips moves they asked for made us look like hookers. And I still can't understand why they had my daughter lay her hands flat over her private parts as she stood in her formal dress. Weird just weird. I did get the 15% early purchase discount knowing that I could get a refund if I wanted. But every photo had a gimmicky border around it. I used fewer photos in my photo book this time.

Fast forward to my plans for this year. Before the summer starts, I'm going to take my mother and daughter in the bathroom we are going to practice smiles and poses. I will find the key phrases that will help my mother and daughter open eyes and smile. "Think of your favorite movie star crossing the room to say "Hi" to you" or "Think of getting a kiss from the dog" and to remind them to "tilt" the head it shouldn't look detached. Whatever it takes to get those smiles without looking like they're on the sauce! My plan; purchase disk once advanced purchase photos are offered(currently offering the week before my departure). Make a decision on the ship on day 6 of 7.

Good luck to you, it's a struggle but it can be worth it. We just have to do more planning on our own now, and keep close tabs nightly on every picture that should be in the folder.

 

[Drusilla99]

I don't mind Shutters. I pre purchase the disks, and part of the cost, to me, is the convenience of not lugging around my big camera, or phone, everywhere we go while on vacation. I also like it because I don't have to be with my teens when they get all their pictures taken. They are able to get lots of pictures with each other, new friends & characters throughout the cruise, and the pictures just appear for me to see. If I don't care for a pose or border I either don't use that shot, or I crop out the border, it hasn't been an issue that's made me question the purchase. The amount of good pictures I get still heavily outweighs the price tag.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

Our last cruise was only four nights so we didn't prepurchase the photo package, but we had hoped to buy one photo, if we could manage to take one good photo...

....and our photo from dinner at Palo was gorgeous! What a surprise! I was happy to pay $21 for a photo where we both looked good! So, even if you think you don't want photos, have a few taken anyway. You may be surprised!