Hey there, Hi there, Ho there!
I am SO excited to be spending some time with you at the Happiest Place on Earth!
During my time with you, my goal is to observe and capture the magic as it’s happening. For the most part I will not pose or direct you. However, there may be times where I will visualize something and I will ask to manipulate the situation a little by having you stand in a specific location or do a specific action. And of course, if you would like some family pictures in a specific location, we will be sure to make time for those! I will ask at the beginning of our session if you'd like some group family pictures anywhere in particular. If so, I tend to like to get the group smiley/posey pictures out of the way at the beginning.
I want you to think about your favorite parts of Disneyland!
What does Disneyland mean to YOU? Do you have any traditions at Disneyland? Any special locations you like to rest and eat?
During your visit, you will ride exciting rides, eat yummy treats, and say hello to your favorite characters… all the things that make YOUR Disneyland experience magical! In order to maximize our time together and to ensure that we capture the essence of your trip, let’s pack those favorite things into the short time that I will be with your group.
If you’ve never been to Disneyland before, here are some aspects of the park that people love and which make for great photo opportunities...
Rides
I LOVE going on rides with you! Some of my favorites for photos are the Teacups, Dumbo, Carousel, Big Thunder Mountain, and the Swings at California Adventure. I'll go on any ride with you, but keep in mind that the dark rides like Pirates, Haunted Mansion, or Space Mountain are not recommended for photos and aren't the best use of our time.
Treats
Some of my FAVORITE photos are of my clients eating yummy treats! Icecream, lollipops, churros, and even corn dogs, make for some fun and iconic photos!
Souvenirs
Nothing adds that extra bit of magic quicker than a fun accessory! Bubble wands are my favorite, with balloons and Mickey Ears as a close second. Note on the balloons: they don't come out for sale until around noon. So if you want balloons for photos and you happen to be at the park the day before our session, be sure to buy a balloon then and save it for our session the next morning.
Characters
Ohhh the sweet and tender moments that happen with the characters! To see your child (and you!) embrace and interact with a beloved character can often be the highlight of your entire trip!
WHAT TO WEAR
Most importantly, I want you to wear what you are comfortable in!!
If you want images that are timeless (meaning you wouldn’t be able to tell if the picture was taken 10 years ago or today), I would suggest avoid wearing clothing with trendy logos or words on them, and dare I even say it…with characters on them! But of course character apparel is wonderful and SO fun! I would suggest to try and avoid obnoxious character clothing if that makes sense. Simple character designs and patterns are a great direction to lean towards!
If you want your attire to speak “Disney”, I find that accessories (like Mickey Ears) are a great way to bring that Disney vibe into your outfit!
With that being said, wear WHATEVER you darn well please!
I am documenting your life as it is now, so if your son has a favorite Buzz Lightyear t-shirt and wants to wear it, then by all means, have him wear it!
Strollers
When it comes to strollers, if possible, try and find a place to park it for the duration of our session together, or at least for bits of the session. For example, I might ask you to park it at the beginning of Main Street, then we'll walk down together while taking photos, and then dad or someone will run back and get the stroller before we proceed to taking pictures at the castle.
Believe me, as a mom of 5 kids, I know it's not always possible or probable to leave the stroller, especially with the amount of stuff kids need! But ditching the stroller here and there provides the opportunity for more interaction with each other as well as reacting to your surroundings.
Session Start Time
As far as what time we should meet up, I will first say that I am completely flexible to fit your schedule. However, I prefer to meet up at park opening (8am) or as close to that as possible. Reason being is that there are less crowds and the lighting is better. I usually plan to meet you just inside the main entrance.
The most important tip:
Put your phone/camera away and let me worry about the rest! The best thing for you to do is to be present. Your sweet family and making memories together is the MOST magical part of your vacation!
I can’t wait to document it for you so you can relive your visit over and over again!
