If you’ve seen our previous two photo shoot recaps, you know we absolutely LOVED our Hollywood Studios session, so I decided to give it another go at Epcot a few months later during spring break. While we weren’t as crazy about our Epcot experience, I decided to keep it going and book a last minute session for Animal Kingdom.
What is Capture Your Moment?
We are big fans of PhotoPass and love that with the service, everyone, even shutterbug mom, gets in the photos. Capture Your Moment plusses that and gives you your own private PhotoPass photog and assistant (for crowd control and creative) for a 20-minute shoot in the park.
What do you need to know?
- Reservations are highly recommended! Magic Kingdom sells out quickly (check at 60 days), but I was able to grab Studios about two weeks prior to our December trip. Additionally, Epcot and Animal Kingdom reservations were both showing availability the day before when I checked for each.
- You can inquire on the day of at the PhotoPass shop in each park for availability if you weren’t able to get an advanced reservation.
- Currently, the cost is $99 and includes the shoot only. Photos are included in Memory Maker and/or can be purchased individually.
- You will check check in at the PhotoPass podium outside of the Island Mercantile for Animal Kingdom shoots instead of the PhotoPass shop.
- You and the photog can discuss any ideas you have for locations, groupings, celebrations, etc. S/he will also let you know of any areas off limits (Galaxy’s Edge, for example) in the park.
- Once you’re ready, the clock starts and you can strike a pose!
The Review
If you made your way to this review from our previous shoots, you’ll see that we were gaga for our Studios experience and it was most definitely “worth it” for my crew!! Our Epcot experience didn’t garner the same enthusiasm, unfortunately. I may not have rebooked another shoot had the Epcot session been our first. Well, no, who am I kidding, we’re still going to hit all Capture options, but I may not have been so excited to get them done as soon as possible.
So, me being me, I decided a couple days before our summer trip to somewhat hesitantly book an Animal Kingdom shoot. I mean, Animal Kingdom is sweltering in the winter, and sweat doesn’t really make for great photos, but we were game.
The Animal Kingdom team of Ethel and Cassie really got us excited about Capture Your Moment again! Ethel was just fantastic about pulling out the kids’ personalities, especially the boys. Not always an easy feat, as they tend to be pretty photographically stoic, although they’re absolute goofballs any other time.
Animal Kingdom is just gorgeous with beautiful backgrounds around every turn, and Ethel took us to some great spots! I did think we relied on the Tree of Life a little too much. I’m really just going in to each of these shoots to go through the general experience, so I would definitely opt for more variety and less Tree the next time around.
Overall, we had less photos than we did each of the Epcot and Studios, but the quality was there over the quantity. Ethel seemed much more comfortable behind the camera, playing with poses and engaging the kids (and me!). That is really what I feel makes the difference in these shoots.
You tell us! Take a look at our new set and see how they compare with our previous shoots.
The Photos
Behind the Scenes
Capture Your Moment
What do you think?
So, did you compare the three sessions? Which do you think was more “worth it?” Would you book a Capture Your Moment based on these experiences? Share in the comments!