Disney Design Group or imagineering?

[knights87]

I am an amuture photographer mostly working with landscape, architecture, and wildlife/nature. I was wondering if Disney, maybe in the Disney Design Group or Imagineering department, hires photographers and if so how would someone go about applying for that position? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[mkt]

you have to be the best of the best, with both the qualifications and practical/real-life experience to be even considered

Check back when you have at least a masters in a related field.

 

[svickersart]

you have to be the best of the best, with both the qualifications and practical/real-life experience to be even considered

Check back when you have at least a masters in a related field.

I disagree with this statement. I have watched the Disney job postings for several years now, waiting for the right position. While there are many positions with the Walt Disney company that require a BA with 5 years experience in the field or a masters these are more technical positions such as engineers, architecs and management postions. Many of the art related positions often dont require a degree at all, though the more training you have in the field the better chance you have. I have seen several art related job postings that only required a portfolio of your professional work.

I would recommend taking classes at your local community college and working towards an AA degree at least. Try to do some professional work and build a portfolio, if your close to one of the Disney parks they are almost always looking for Photopass photographers, this will give you experience and an in with the company (I have heard its easier to get some jobs if your already employed with Disney) I do have to tell you so far the only photographer jobs I have seen other than photopass are for technical photographers and wedding photographers. The technical position is more shooting for training and maintanence materials than creative but thats not to say they dont use photographers in other capacities in Imagineering. And learn to draw, its been said if you cant draw you shouldnt be in Imagineering, plus many of the concepts used in drawing carry over to photography.

Steve

 

[SeaBreeze]

Are you in school? If so, there are Professional Internships available in photography. During my internship, one of my friends was a PI in Technical Photography. It seemed like a lot of fun, even if it's not exactly what you were looking for. Plus, it's a good foot in the door to network and learn more, and it paid well.

 

[mkt]

I disagree with this statement. I have watched the Disney job postings for several years now, waiting for the right position. While there are many positions with the Walt Disney company that require a BA with 5 years experience in the field or a masters these are more technical positions such as engineers, architecs and management postions. Many of the art related positions often dont require a degree at all, though the more training you have in the field the better chance you have. I have seen several art related job postings that only required a portfolio of your professional work.

I would recommend taking classes at your local community college and working towards an AA degree at least. Try to do some professional work and build a portfolio, if your close to one of the Disney parks they are almost always looking for Photopass photographers, this will give you experience and an in with the company (I have heard its easier to get some jobs if your already employed with Disney) I do have to tell you so far the only photographer jobs I have seen other than photopass are for technical photographers and wedding photographers. The technical position is more shooting for training and maintanence materials than creative but thats not to say they dont use photographers in other capacities in Imagineering. And learn to draw, its been said if you cant draw you shouldnt be in Imagineering, plus many of the concepts used in drawing carry over to photography.

Steve

Thanks for the clarification. I'm only posting what I know from firsthand experience and from that of several contacts of mine, specifically aiming towards WDI, since that is what is required, and the OP mentioned WDI specifically in his post.

But to clarify, DDG is easier to get into, but it still helps to be the best you can be.

 

[knights87]

Thanks for all the info and help. Right now I am EMT-Basic and just doing photography as a hobby, but thought it would be interesting to do professionally as a second job or maybe a career change down the road.
These are just some of the Photos I have of Disney so far, http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=57727

 

[Figment82]

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[mkt]

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