Resort Photo Session FAQ

[rjvose17]

We are having a family photo session September 16th at Beach Club. we are doing a hour session. This is our first time doing this so I'll post pics and about our experience when we return. I hope that helps. If anyone has any tips or ideas for places to have the pics taken we are totally open to suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Piecey]

After reading through this entire thread and weighing the options, we've booked a private photographer. $200 for the same thing Disney is charging $400 for.

I'm happy with our choice and excited to have some true family photos

 

[2Tiggies]

Help please! I knew I would eventually give in and book a session

I want to call them later today but can anyone tell me what time of day the glare from the sun would be at its worst? Morning or mid to late afternoon? Last year we had a late afternoon session and the glare was terrible. I struggle with bright light as it is so I was hoping to pick the lesser of two evils if posssible.

I do accept that a lot depends on the exact time of day, direction we are facing etc, but any advice would be greatly appreciated

thanks

We are having a family photo session September 16th at Beach Club. we are doing a hour session. This is our first time doing this so I'll post pics and about our experience when we return. I hope that helps. If anyone has any tips or ideas for places to have the pics taken we are totally open to suggestions. Thanks!

Would LOVE to see them!!

 

[yrdlyprincess]

After reading through this entire thread and weighing the options, we've booked a private photographer. $200 for the same thing Disney is charging $400 for.

I'm happy with our choice and excited to have some true family photos

Did you get them taken already? Who did you get and are you happy with them? This is what we want to do...so any help would be great

 

[RobPickles]

Did you get them taken already? Who did you get and are you happy with them? This is what we want to do...so any help would be great

The photo shoots have been radically changed since last year. i new seperate company/division is handling them - it is no longer run by Disney Photopass.

We know several Photopass photographers and wanted them to be our photo shoot photographers as well like they were in the past few years, however, since it is no longer under their control, you can't have them.

Not only that, the prices went up like $80 and you no longer get the deal you used to get. You don't get any prints with your cd anymore and the time is even shortened to 20-30 min I think they said.

We opted cancel our photo shoot when we found out this info and they had the nerve to charge us $25 for the cancellation even though it was still a week away.

Not happy....

 

[2Tiggies]

I've posted this on the updated, new resort photo session thread but just in case anyone is only following this one, I will report back here.

We had our session done at the Grand Floridian on October 2nd. We are more than happy with what we got and I feel it was well worth the money.

When I called to book they did explain that the $25 deposit was not refundable so I was aware of this. We had a session at the Poly last year and the only thing that has changed is the price and not being able to add them to your photopass CD. However the session was the same length - 20 minutes and we got 60 great photos on our CD. When we did our session at the Poly last year they had already discontinued the prints with the package, but as I had booked just before the change they still honored it and we did get prints. I have posted photos on the other thread.

 

[Piecey]

Did you get them taken already? Who did you get and are you happy with them? This is what we want to do...so any help would be great

Sorry, no. January. We booked with Randy Chapman.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

Sorry, no. January. We booked with Randy Chapman.

FUNNY!!! We booked with Randy...it will be on November 7th (or maybe its the 9th) I have it written down...but have a planning headache I am very excited about it!!!!

 

[3pletprincesses]

out of curiosity how much was Randy? We will be going back next year with our triplet and a baby and are thinking about going with an outsider vs Disney. We did the 20 minutes photoshoot this past May nd had very poor service and the photos were not great, we that did the one hour photoshoot this past August. the 1 hour was good. We have seen the photos online and like them but still haven't received our cd nor album ( we were told 3 week ... we took our photos on August 25...) but for $400, I'm pretty sure I can get the same if not better from an outsider. If Randy was to run around the same price you bet I would be getting him instead especially with a baby in our pictures. .

 

[RobPickles]

I've posted this on the updated, new resort photo session thread but just in case anyone is only following this one, I will report back here.

We had our session done at the Grand Floridian on October 2nd. We are more than happy with what we got and I feel it was well worth the money.

We gladly did the hour long session for the last two years and was VERY happy with our photos. Our photographers were friendly and accomodating and got to the point where we know them and see them roaming the parks/hotels and they remember our names. However, when you are used to getting good service and your money's worth one year and then they switch companies, take away things and charge you more, that is when, at least IMO, it is not worth it anymore.

 

[Scarlett81]

I booked a one hour session with Disney Photog at the GF!
We're very excited!
I booked it for 10:00 am, so its not too early for the kids, but early enough before crankiness sets in. Hope that was a good idea!

 

[2Tiggies]

I booked a one hour session with Disney Photog at the GF!
We're very excited!
I booked it for 10:00 am, so its not too early for the kids, but early enough before crankiness sets in. Hope that was a good idea!

I think you're right on the money with that timing with little kids. We did the GF at 7.45 am earlier this month and it was fine for us as my DD is 9 and it is only us two, but I doubt I would have managed to get two young children and myself ready and fed and out the door for that time!

We really enjoyed our GF shoot and are so happy with our pictures.

 

[ashleyasiegel]

Has anyone done a photo session with an outside photographer?? I want to do a family photo session this year and worried about the quality of the Disney photographer. So I am wondering if anyone knows of any outside photographers that take pictures at Resorts?? I searched the wedding boards but couldn't find any names there. Thanks!

 

[jenseib]

Has anyone done a photo session with an outside photographer?? I want to do a family photo session this year and worried about the quality of the Disney photographer. So I am wondering if anyone knows of any outside photographers that take pictures at Resorts?? I searched the wedding boards but couldn't find any names there. Thanks!

Yes, I have heard of it in th past..and it's pricey

 

[Piecey]

Has anyone done a photo session with an outside photographer?? I want to do a family photo session this year and worried about the quality of the Disney photographer. So I am wondering if anyone knows of any outside photographers that take pictures at Resorts?? I searched the wedding boards but couldn't find any names there. Thanks!

We are booked with an outside photographer, Randy Chapman. He was incredibly reasonable- I was surprised at his rates!

He has a website and Facebook page, too.

 

[sydprincess]

I just booked a one hour session, and after it was scheduled, she told me the cost of the package is $350! Is that correct?!?!

 

[teresajoy]

Here is the link to the new thread about the photo sessions, with more current info:

www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2695075

 

[alizakelly]

thanks for information. It's very helpful.

 

[2Tiggies]

With the Poly construction going on, is it a bad move to schedule a mini portrait session there? We've done these sessions a couple of times and the Poly was our favorite. I'd love to do another one there, but if all the nice spots are marred with construction and we're going to be shunted into lesser alternative settings, I'd rather book elsewhere. Anyone with any info for me?

 

[horse11]

With the Poly construction going on, is it a bad move to schedule a mini portrait session there? We've done these sessions a couple of times and the Poly was our favorite. I'd love to do another one there, but if all the nice spots are marred with construction and we're going to be shunted into lesser alternative settings, I'd rather book elsewhere. Anyone with any info for me?

I am in the same boat as you. Our trip is only three weeks away so it would be hard to even switch so I am hopeing for the best. You have the advantage though since you have been there before. I am hoeing to find an area were there will be a lush tropical background with tropical flowers if possible. I also want some of the beach with the wedding chapel in the background which is located the opposite of the beach with the construction. I would have love the picures by the outdoor water fall but no one can confirm if it is still running or if it will be running when we get there. It seems so hard to get any information on this subject so please share if you do find out anything. I will do the same. I could post back here when we return and let you know how it worked for us.