When a family comes to see a character, I immediately start shooting. I move around, get the correct angles. Keep in mind I have probably been with this character for hours (and we are talking just today. It may be the 10th time working with this character in the past month). I've learned their subtleties. In the case of a princess, I've learned that if she says a certain phrase, I need to get ready because a special photo is coming. I capture photos most people don't. I know just the right angle for the hug, kiss, face caress, nose touch, etc.
Now there are people who have really nice cameras. And they think they are doing great by just shooting continuously. I mean 60 photos in a one minute meet and greet. And yes, there is a chance they caught some good shots as well and will delete the rest. And then there are some parents who know to just be ready and capture moments as they happen.
However, when it comes to the posed shots, that is what most parents take. They usually miss the candids or are busy interupting amazing candid moments by saying "look here, look here." I carefully explain the meet and greet process and often say "shhhh don't interupt the princess moments." And when I look at the LCD screen of the families camera and see how they are composing their photos, I smile inside. 75% of people don't know how to compose a photo. So my photos will be better. And as mentioned before my favorite giggle moments are those families that refuse photopass yet are using disposable cameras or camera phones. I shouldn't say giggle, I should say laugh out loud.
Side note: Moms, don't hover over your children while meeting the characters. You are ruining the photos. Also, it is ok if your child has an experience that you are not part of. Really, let your child begin to spread their wings. I know I have met a selfish parent when the child is ok going up to a character yet the mom insists on hovering and hearing every word. I know when I have met a cool parent when she is standing back and watching (not hearing a word that is said but savoring the overall moment) and saying to me: "look at them...it is like they are best friends." or "look at my baby, yesterday she wouldn't go near the characters, now it is like she's moved in." or "that is her favorite character, look at the moment they are sharing."
So with photopass you are paying for a quality camera and a trained photographer and an advanced knowlege of what to shoot and when and what the best angles are and what to set the camera on.
As I said before, when people hand me their cameras and I use them, 30% of them are set on the correct settings for the situation. Automatic is often NOT the correct setting. Especially at night, my photos do back flips over 90% of photos taken with a guest camera.
Having said all that, if you are that good and know your camera that well, simply use photopass as a back up. That way if anything happens to your memory card or camera, you have a back up system. And give us your camera. That way you don't have to buy anything...unless you like our magic photos...which are amazing.
Having said all that, go over to the photo of the day thread and you'll see how many amazing photographers we have on this board. And I see amazing photographers in the parks as well and compliment them on their skills in both scenic and character photography. But while concentrated here on this board, they are in general a rare find in the parks, much like Disney Geeks like us are a rare find in the parks.
