Best Tips for Disney World Family Photo Sessions

Old Port Royale | Disney World’s Caribbean Beach Resort Family Photos

If you’re looking for the best tips for Disney World family photo sessions, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’ve been saving up for a magical Disney World vacation, are a frequent visitor who can’t get enough of the magic, or a local with annual passes, capturing stunning family pictures at Disney World is a must. Here are my best tips for Disney World family photo sessions to help you capture moments as timeless as a tale as old as time… here’s a sneak peek on what you’ll find in this blog!

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Best Tips for Disney World Family Photo Sessions #1

Disney Parks vs. Disney Resorts

I, personally, would be the first one to sign up for family photos in front of the castle at Magic Kingdom in or at the World Showcase at EPCOT but one thing I need to mention right off the bat: Outside photographers for hire are not allowed inside Disney parks. However meeting at your Disney resort for a professional photoshoot is completely fine! I’m not going to lie, I was super disappointed when I learned this that I couldn’t photograph in the parks, but I’ve found a great alternative that quite honestly produces better family photos in my opinion! Here’s why:

Resorts provide a beautiful Disney atmosphere without the stress of navigating crowded parks. Not only do crowds create unwanted “photo-bombers” but it also adds stress and distractions (because we all know how distracted little ones are in general!) during your session. So a Disney resort is the perfect place to do your family photo session!

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Best Tips for Disney World Family Photo Sessions #2

Choosing a Disney Resort for Photos

If you’re staying at a Disney resort and love it’s vibe, that makes your choice and the session super easy! We can photograph right at your hotel, making for a seamless experience. If you’d prefer to photograph at a different resort, let me know and we can chat about the different options Disney has to offer. The photos I captured for this family at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort are some of my favorites!

If you’re not staying on Disney property, let’s discuss the style and atmosphere you envision for your photos, and I’ll recommend the best Disney resort locations to match your vision!

Best Tips for Disney World Family Photo Sessions #3

Transportation to Disney World Resorts

If you’re staying on Disney property and have chosen a different resort to photograph at, using Disney transportation might be your best bet, whether it’s the Monorail, bus system, boats or the Sky Liner! Find more info about Disney transportation here.

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If you’re not staying at a Disney resort, here are the best ways to get to your chosen location, as parking is typically restricted to guests with a hotel reservation or dining booking.

Disney Transportation: Park for free at Disney Springs and take a shuttle bus to your selected resort. This will require extra time, so plan ahead! There are multiple parking garages but I’d suggest parking in the Orange Garage (because it’s closest to the bus area), going through security, and then boarding the resort bus.

Dining Reservation: Making a dining reservation at a resort restaurant typically grants parking access, allowing you to drive directly to the location with ease. Just be sure to schedule your reservation close to the end of your photo session time, as you won’t be able to arrive too many hours in advance.

Best Tips for Disney World Family Photo Sessions #4

Weather & Comfort Tips

Disney World’s Caribbean Beach Resort Family Photos | Barbados

Beat the Heat

Florida’s weather can be HOT—especially from April to November. Here’s how to stay cool:

• Dress in light, breathable fabrics.
• Bring a portable fan and plenty of water.
• Pack non-messy snacks to keep little ones happy and energized.
• We’ll take breaks as needed to keep everyone comfortable!

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When I did this family’s photo session at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, we made sure to walk around to many areas of this sprawling resort to take advantage of the gorgeous backdrops!

I love capturing a variety of family groupings to showcase unique relationships and personalities! From the whole family together to just the kids, mom and dad, mom with the kids, dad with the kids, just the girls, just the guys, and more—these combinations highlight the special connections within your family in a fun and meaningful way.

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Best Tips for Disney World Family Photo Sessions #5

Keeping Kids Happy During Your Session

Schedule Wisely

Tired and cranky kids often mean less expressive faces, making it harder to capture those joyful, natural moments. If possible, plan your session for the beginning of your vacation—before the parks wear everyone out! Aim for a time when your children are well-rested, fresh, and not hungry. While morning and evening light is ideal, a happy kid always beats perfect lighting in my book!

Bring a Toy for Candid Moments

For younger kids, if all else fails, a classic toy like a wooden truck or stuffed animal can be a great way to keep them engaged without unnecessary distractions. Avoid flashy plastic toys that might steal the spotlight. You can also bring along a bubble wand from the parks! By holding it just out of the camera’s view, you can let the bubbles drift down, keeping the kids entertained and creating fun, natural moments for their photos.

Keep the Energy Positive

Parents, take a deep breath and stay relaxed! Kids pick up on your energy, so keeping things light and fun helps capture their best smiles. This is one of the best tips for Disney World family photo success!

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Disney World’s Caribbean Beach Resort Family Photos | Caribbean Cay

In addition to getting all different combinations of family members, I also love to get individuals of each kiddo!

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Disney World’s Caribbean Beach Resort Family Photos | Jamaica

Best Tips for Disney World Family Photo Sessions #6

Pro Tips for a Smooth Photoshoot

Let Me Lead the Interaction

If too many adults are calling for kids to “smile,” it can become overwhelming for them and they won’t know where to look. Instead, let me connect with your little ones and once I’ve gotten their attention, I may ask you to stand behind me and do something goofy to make them laugh!

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Be Mindful of the Sunset

The sun sets quickly, especially outside of summer months. If we start your session late, we’ll have less time to shoot! Once the sun is gone, so is the natural light.

One of my favorite ways to capture photos that truly showcase your family’s personalities is by setting everyone up and then incorporating a fun game or activity. This creates natural, joyful interactions, and the results are almost always some of my favorite moments from the session!

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Empty Those Pockets!

Phones, keychains, and wallets can create unsightly bulges in pockets—especially for the guys! Make sure to empty your pockets before the session for a clean, polished look.

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Final Thoughts

Disney World is one of the most magical places for family photos, and following the best tips for Disney World family photo sessions will help you capture incredible memories. Whether you’re staying at a resort or visiting from out of state, these best tips for Disney World family photo sessions will ensure a smooth and fun experience.

Ready to book your Disney family session? Shoot me an email here or at Hannah@HHawkinsPhotography.com and I’ll give you a call so we can plan your session together! If you’re still researching, get to know me and our four kids or jump on over to the Investment page for photo session starting prices. Let’s make some magic happen!