DISNEY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY RULES
Today we'll be talking about Walt Disney World, the most magical place on Earth! Disney World sure has a lot of rules and policies. That's how they keep their parks and resorts pleasant and desirable for guests to visit. In this article, we'll discuss how to comply with Disney's photography policies. Walt Disney World Resort near Windermere, FL is a major vacation destination for people around the world. If you're looking to plan your next Disney vacation and would like some family portraits taken in and around Disney, you're in the right place! Click here to see my work! Before you hire a photographer or decide to take some photos yourself, you should know that Disney World has specific policies regarding photography within its parks. Spoiler alert: They do allow you to bring large cameras and lenses, but there is a limit to what type of gear you can bring into the parks. Also, Disney has photographers at the parks that will capture photos of you as you enter each park and this is truly a great option for a few quick snapshots. However, you may opt to hire your own professional photographer to attend the park with you for a 30-minute or 1-hour private photo session (when I say private, I mean your photographer is just there for you). Book your session now!
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FIRST, THINGS FIRST, CAN YOU HIRE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER TO DO A PHOTOSHOOT AT DISNEY PARKS?
Absolutely, and this is a really fun idea! It is truly a wonderful way to capture the magic on your Disney family vacation and preserve those memories forever. That said, there are some important things to keep in mind. Here are some best practices for family photos at Disney World.
First, you and your photographer will need a valid ticket and reservation to enter into whichever park you choose. The cost of the ticket may be built into your photo session fee or you may be required to separately cover your photographer's ticket or admission into the park, in addition to the photographer's session fee.
Next, you should keep in mind that Disney parks are very popular and therefore very crowded depending on the day, time of day, and season. This means that it may be challenging to capture certain images in your favorite photo spots if those locations are crowded at the time of your shoot. You can't ask other guests to move out of the way. However, if other guests observe you attempting to have photos taken and are aware that they are in your way, they may be courteous and move out of your way on their own. People can often surprise you and may be much nicer than you think!
Additionally, if your photographer enters the park with a large camera bag or extensive gear, Disney security may have to conduct a more thorough search of their bags and gear which may take up additional time. I know you're excited to have your photos taken at Disney. Believe me I get it! but please be patient and be aware that this may slow things down while your photographer is entering the park.
Finally, while having your portraits taken at Disney for your own personal use is totally acceptable, commercial use of those images is prohibited. This means that you may not sell any images taken at Disney even if they are photos of you and your family. The photos are yours to keep forever, but please do not attempt to sell or profit from the images.
Also, here are some more general guidelines that Disney has regarding photography:
PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Guests are generally allowed to take personal photos and videos for their own non-commercial use throughout the parks. This includes using smartphones, digital cameras, including DSLR and mirrorless cameras regardless of size, camera lenses, and handheld video cameras. There's really no restrictions here for personal photography so long as you're otherwise following Disney's rules and not interfering with other guests' enjoyment of the park. In fact, Disney even encourages photography within their parks!
TRIPODS AND MONOPODS
While personal tripods and monopods are permitted in the parks, there are restrictions on where they can be used. Tripods and monopods cannot be set up in areas that obstruct pathways or disrupt the flow of guest traffic. Additionally, they may not be used on attractions or during live shows. Again, make sure if you do have a tripod or monopod that you're not interfering with other guests! Always be courteous. Also, and this is very important, selfie sticks are not allowed!
LARGE CAMERAS WITH DETACHABLE LENSES
Although I've never personally experienced any issues bringing my professional photography gear into Disney parks, guests and photographers using larger photography equipment, such as DSLR cameras with large detachable lenses, may be subject to additional scrutiny. Security may want to check your camera bag and visually inspect your gear before allowing you into the parks. Disney may also restrict the use of such equipment in certain areas or during specific events. They will not permit equipment to be used for large commercial productions, including without limitation, large flashes or strobes absent special permission.
COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
As already briefly discussed in this post, commercial photography, including photoshoots for weddings, engagements, and other special occasions, may require prior approval and permits from Disney's Special Events team. This ensures that professional photographers adhere to Disney's guidelines and policies.
PHOTOPASS PHOTOGRAPHERS
Disney offers the Photopass service, where professional photographers stationed throughout the parks can take high-quality photos of guests and their parties. These photos can be purchased and downloaded through the My Disney Experience app or website. To be honest, PhotoPass is amazing! This is a great way to go for some quick snapshots around the parks to document and capture your time spent at Disney without worrying about bringing your own photographer. However, these photographers will typically be set up only in certain areas around the parks and cannot move with you to other spots of your choosing. If you would like to have photos taken in a specific location around the parks where there are no PhotoPass Photographers stationed, bringing your own professional photographer for a portrait session may be a better option to help you capture those memories and provide a more well-rounded photographic experience!
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CHARACTER MEET AND GREETS
Guests are welcome to take personal photos with Disney characters during meet and greet experiences. However, Disney PhotoPass photographers are often available to capture these moments as well. See section above regarding PhotoPass. Either way, you can't go wrong. Disney encourages guests to take photos during their time at the parks!
RESPECING OTHER GUESTS
Guests should be mindful of other visitors and guests when taking photos and videos at Walt Disney World parks. This includes avoiding blocking walkways or obstructing the views of other guests during parades, fireworks shows, and other performances. Treat others as you would like to be treated and keep in mind that everyone is also there to enjoy the parks!
If you want more specifics, it's essential to review Disney World's official policies and guidelines on their website and speak to your photographer before your visit to plan your photoshoot and ensure a smooth and enjoyable photography experience while respecting Disney's rules and the experiences of other guests. Happy park hopping!
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Tips for capturing great photos at Disney World
Taking great photos at Disney World is a lot of fun, but it can be challenging due to the crowds and the variety of lighting conditions. Here are some best practices for family photos at Disney World:
- Best Lighting: While you can capture amazing photos at any time of the day, it is generally recognized that the best times to take photos are early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is low, creating soft, warm lighting. This is often called the "golden hour." Otherwise, overcast days are great for taking photos!
- Night Photography: Disney parks are beautifully lit at night. Use a tripod or a steady hand for long exposures to capture the vibrant lights. Adjust your camera's ISO to a higher setting if you're shooting handheld.
- Composition: Divide your frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Rather than placing your subject in the center, place key elements like Cinderella’s Castle or character statues at the intersections of these lines to create balanced and visually appealing shots.
- Close-Ups: Don’t just take wide shots of the entire park. Capture close-ups of small details like Mickey-shaped treats, signs, or the intricate designs on the rides. Disney works very hard to make sure that your experience in the parks is a magical one. They do this by creating a lot of intricate details and designs. Disney parks are full of eye-candy! You can take advantage of this by capturing the beautiful details located throughout the Disney parks.
- Atmosphere: Disney World is known for its festive and magical atmosphere. Many guests are on vacation and others may be locals who just like to enjoy a few hours in the park after work. Either way, most people are happy to be at Disney World! Instead of avoiding the crowds, use them to your advantage. Capture the energy and excitement by including guests in your shots, especially in areas like Main Street, U.S.A.
- Framing: Framing can be an excellent way to make photos stand out and look more interesting. Use elements like arches, doorways, or ride vehicles to frame your subject. This can add depth and context to your photos.
- Perspective: Everything in photography is based on perspective. Try shooting from low angles to make buildings and attractions appear more grandiose, or from high angles to capture the scale of the park.
- Authenticity: Some of the best and most magical photos are candid. Capture your friends and family while they’re enjoying the rides, interacting with characters, or reacting to the sights. You will look back on your vacation photos fondly as some of the best memories of your life! Don't miss out on capturing these magical moments during your time at Disney World!
- Background Blur: One thing is true in each and every genre of photography, you need to have a subject, or else your photo is not saying anything. If your camera or phone has a portrait mode, use it when taking photos with characters. This will blur the background slightly, making the characters stand out more and creating a clear, definite subject in your photos.
- Fireworks Photography: Firework photography can be tricky, especially trying to nail focus. For fireworks, use a tripod to keep your camera steady and set your camera to a slower shutter speed to capture the trails of the fireworks. Experiment with different shutter speeds to get the best effect. You may need to set your manual focus to "infinity" which will make sure everything past a certain point is completely in focus. Every lens has an infinity symbol which makes doing this easier than ever!
- Exposure Control: Disney World is a bright and colorful place, not to mention so magical! The bright Florida sun can lead to overexposed photos. Adjust your exposure settings or use a polarizing filter to manage the brightness and bring out colors.
- Enjoy the Process: Disney World is a busy place, so patience is key. Take your time to compose your shots and wait for the right moment, especially if you're trying to avoid crowds in your frame. For portraits, you'll want to make sure that there are no crowds in the frame, as this could be distracting in the photo.