In October 2011, we were making our way around the World Showcase during the Food and Wine Fest and stumbled on a photographer on the platform in the middle of “St. Mark’s Square” in Italy. Since we’d never run into anyone there before, we decided to get some pictures taken. A gaggle of middle-aged ladies were in line ahead of us. When their turn arrived, they screamed “We’re baaaack!” I laughed a little at the PhotoPass stalkers but didn’t think too much of it.
When the kids were up, the photographer posed them. Different from the “stand still and say Mickey!” pose that normally happens. Ok, I thought, this will be a framer! A Disney pic and could pass as this year’s portrait. Sweet!! He snapped several shots then moved them over to another spot for a couple of poses with a different background. I was starting to see why the ladies ahead of us came back. Still, I mean, it’s a theme park photographer. It’ll be cute, and I loved the little pose, but it is what it is.
And then I uploaded our card. Oh my gosh!! This gentleman captured the kids so perfectly. Their little personalities really shone through in his images!! This shot did serve as their portrait that year…framed, on Christmas cards, my Facebook profile pic, literally everywhere I could display it, I did.
Her sassy pose and smile and his little mischievous grin and raised brow were exactly who they were at that time. So many pictures at PhotoPass stops are carbon copies. Don’t get me wrong, I love the quintessential family pics in front of the castle and with the main mouse, but I also LOVE that he really played with the kids and caught them, although posed, being themselves.
Stitchy and I joined some friends of ours for a fall trip the following year and were thrilled to see Louis again at Epcot, this time in Morocco. Being one of my favorite spots, we had to have him snap a few pics. Afterwards we handed him one of our thank you cards while I was gushing about how much we loved the shots he’d taken the previous October and we wished we’d seen him on the trips in between. He was so humble and sweet!
We were headed back to the World again in December 2012 (I know, I know…). We were off on our first day in the parks, and since we were staying at the Boardwalk, we headed over to Epcot. Again, while wandering through Italy, we spotted him! It was all I could do not to run up to him just like those ladies. He was hanging out in the Isola portion of Italy, which is a great place for photos. He recognized Stitchy greeted him with an enthusiastic “Oh, my friend!” in his slight French accent. He then proceeded to parade him around the area taking pictures for about five minutes. Again, all framers and one ended up on Stitchy’s Valentines.
A retired professional photographer, he seems to love his days at Epcot photographing children, families, friends and anyone who happens to cross his path. It’s an absolute delight to see him in action. His calm demeanor, kind voice and infectious smile are the things Disney cast members strive for, and to us he truly is the epitome of the Disney difference.
The last time we met up with Louis was December of 2015. We’ve been visiting a lot more often since then, so we’re hoping he’s simply enjoying his second retirement after years of magical memories. However, if you’re wandering the World Showcase and happen to spot Louis, our favorite PhotoPass photographer, stop and have him capture a moment or two of your day. You won’t regret it.
Spring Break 2013
Coolest Summer Ever 2015
December 2015
OMG! Louis! Browsing thru Google and found this… I met Louis in like 2004 when we worked for Kodak. Last time I saw him was probably around 2013 at EPCOT. Great guy!
He’s the best!!
I found your link through the SITS Saturday Sharefest! How fun! So nice when you stumble across a great photographer. We found one of those during recent trip to Disneyland. We watched him take photos of the 3 groups in front of us, anxiously awaiting our turn, whispering, wondering what great poses he would put us in. Then he got to us, put us in a standard pose, snapped one or two pics and was on to the next group. LOL. Oh well, maybe next time. 😉
Oh, no!! Speak up next time! I find that most photographers are willing to play a bit. Of course, any picture at Disneyland is a good one, right? 😉
LOVE Sharefest!! I always find such great posts on there. Thanks for coming over to visit! I’ll be headed your way, too. 🙂
These are some of the best PhotoPass pictures I have ever seen. Awesome.
It is great when you find someone who loves their job, and takes the extra time to be amazing.
He is awesome!! Hoping to run into him again on our trip this month. We might just wear coordinating colors to Epcot this time around. 😉
These photos are brilliant – and your kids are just gorgeous! x
Thank you so much!!