Hi there Rebecca, it's great to welcome you here to planDisney!
As I walk through the theme parks compiling notes for research and documenting the guest experience here at Walt Disney World Resort, it almost feels like I spot someone posing for a photo at every turn; in fact more often than not I find fellow guests asking me to take photos for them unbeknownst to the fact that composing and capturing great shots is something I love doing as a planDisney Panelist!
Now when it comes to taking photos in any of the theme parks, there's an important caveat that you should be aware of prior to hiring anyone professionally to snap portraits of your daughter. The Cast Members at
Guest Relations as well as management confirmed that not only will they uphold
Walt Disney World Resort Property Rules that consider the following to be a Prohibited Activity: "
Photography, videotaping or recording of any kind, or otherwise engaging in any activity, for unapproved commercial purposes", but acting contrary to these rules may risk you and your professional photographer being asked to leave immediately as soon as you are observed and reported by nearby Cast Members. A manager clarified that there's currently no prohibition on guests taking photos of each other between friends and family with their own cameras, but as soon as professional equipment or payment is involved this is considered commercial - especially if your professional photographer is using these images to promote herself online (which is also why you might find that many local photography companies will not agree to shoot portraits within the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks).
A great authorized option that doesn't risk removal from a theme park is to book a Capture Your Moment session where your daughter can have her very own portrait session with dedicated
Disney PhotoPass photographers specifically trained for these sessions at either
Magic Kingdom Park with Cinderella Castle as her backdrop,
EPCOT,
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and
Disney's Hollywood Studios. A more recent option includes sessions within Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge that
planDisney got to check out with our pal Elizabeth and her stellar family, which could be a unique option for any seniors reaching for the stars after they graduate! You daughter will be able to show these photos online as you'll often receive these immediately after your session - I recommend booking more than one session for a greater variety of locations and
purchasing Memory Maker in order to get the most value out of this and download everything sooner. (In my personal experience, having two back-to-back Capture Your Moment sessions and having Memory Maker ended up costing much less than I would've paid otherwise!)
May all your captured photo memories always end up picture-perfect!
Prince