Ultimate Disney Parks Photography Guide
Looking for the best camera or lenses, tips for taking great photos or to improve your photography? This guide offers tutorials to take better photos in a variety of scenes at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and beyond! (Updated March 22, 2020.)
These tips are key, and will help you take better photos of Disney fireworks, dark rides, Cinderella Castle, and much more that’s specific to the parks. However, the first thing you should do is learn the basics of photography. For this, I highly recommend a copy of Understanding Exposure. Seriously, just get it.
All of the expensive equipment in the world won’t help you if you haven’t learned the basics, and that book is the best way to learn the basics. It’s how I taught myself photography and many others have used it to do the same. A book is a lot cheaper than a new lens, and if you’re a beginner, that book will improve your photography more than a new lens.
Along those lines, realize that no camera “takes good pictures.” Some cameras can help an adept photographer more than others, but if the person taking the photos doesn’t do things right, photos taken with a Nikon D850 can look worse than photos taken with an iPhone. Likewise, many experienced photographers can take better photos with an iPhone than inexperienced photographers can with expensive DSLRs on Auto Mode.
This guide will primarily focus on providing you with resources for learning more about photography, so you can really take your photos to the next level. If you’re sitting around at home practicing social distancing or self-quarantining, the good news is that this is the perfect time to learn photography!
It’s surprisingly easy to improve your photography at home, alternating between reading books and practicing with subjects around your house or in your backyard (my #1 subject for testing out new photography techniques is our cat!). Knowledge is so much more important than equipment, and once you learn more about photography, you realize you don’t need to waste additional money on more equipment!
With that update out of the way, let’s continue with a few of my favorite photography books…
Books
Understanding Exposure – Again, this is the newest edition of the book I used to learn photography. If not for this, I might still be using automatic mode. It is the definitive photography textbook, but written in a way that is accessible for everyone, without being dry and overly technical. It’s a wealth of information, from the basics to some more advanced techniques, this book is the perfect jumping off point.
The Photographer’s Eye – Great composition is paramount to a great photo, but unfortunately it’s one of those things that’s difficult to learn. This book helps any aspiring photographer really learn composition. This is a book to read over and over again.
Scott Kelby’s Digital Photography Boxed Set, Volumes 1, 2, 3, and 4 – A four part series of beginner and intermediate books with plenty of useful tips for veteran photographers, too. The information in these books really runs the gamut, and if ever there were to be a single (or 3 book) series for mastering the craft/business of all types of photography, this would be it.
***Click here for our full list of Photography book recommendations***
Disney Photography Tips
We’ve done a number of blog posts providing tips for improving your photography at Disney. I can’t stress enough that knowledge is the biggest component of taking good photos at Walt Disney World (and beyond!) so you should really read some of the tutorials I’ve written. They have helped a lot of people.
You should read these after you read Understanding Exposure. These guides all assume you have a decent foundation to understand the basics of photography, and you might be confused by these if you don’t know the basics:
- Disney Dark Ride Photography Guide
- How to Photograph Fireworks
- How to Take Great Photos with Your Point & Shoot Camera
- Top 10 Lenses for Disney Parks Photography
- 5 Indispensable Tips for Disney Photography
- Unique Family Photo Ideas at Disney
- Top 10 Tips for Night Photography at Disney
- Tips for Improving Your Photo Composition at Disney
- Tips for HDR Disney Photography
- Best Magic Kingdom Fireworks Spots
- Best Disneyland Fireworks Spots
- Tips for Using Prime Lenses at Disney
- Tips for Using Telephoto Lenses at Disney
- Main Street Electrical Parade Photography Tips
- World of Color Photography Tips
- Fantasmic Photography Tips
- Christmas Photography Tips
- Top 10 Cinderella Castle Photo Spots
- Top 10 Sleeping Beauty Castle Photo Spots
- Neutral Density Filters for Fireworks Photography
This just scratches the surface on the photography guides we’ve written. To read and learn more, browse the photography category of posts on the blog. Once you’ve learned a bit, it might be time to buy some new equipment to help you take better photos. Read on for our buying suggestions…
Cameras
The first thing you need to do is determine which type of camera is right for you. Over the past decade, I’ve tested 20+ cameras and talked with hundreds of beginners who wondered which camera to buy. From that, I’ve learned that the “right” camera for a beginner is almost entirely a matter of personal preference and goals. (If you want look at the equipment I currently carry, check out What’s In My Camera Bag for 2020.)
When thinking about which camera to buy, you have to think about your intent. Are you primarily interested in capturing quality photos of your family’s memorable moments on vacation? Consider a nice point & shoot. Concerned about camera size and weight? Go point & shoot. Want an starter camera that will make learning easier? Again, think point & shoot.
Sony RX100 – This point and shoot has been described by just about everyone who has reviewed it as a game changer. I was skeptical at first, but I drank the Kool Aid, and am loving it. This point and shoot somehow combines a large sensor and a great f/1.8 lens into a compact package. We carry this camera just about everywhere. (Read Our Full Review w/ Photo Samples.)
We think the Sony RX100 is the best starter camera for 75% of people reading this post. The other 25% should consider an entry level DSLR or just stick to using their iPhone for photos (the newer iPhone cameras are exceptional–but still not as good as the Sony RX100).
Nikon D3500 DSLR – This is the perfect entry level DSLR for beginners, offering great bang for your buck in a small size. It has solid image quality when compared to higher level cameras, and only lacks some of the features–definitely a great value.
Nikon D7500 DSLR Camera – If you’re upgrading or are more serious about photography, go straight to the Nikon D7200. The benefits of the D7200 over the lower models are improved dynamic range & high ISO performance, better build quality, better HD video capabilities, and more.
Nikon D750 DSLR Camera – The best bang for buck camera for taking Disney photos. Awesome autofocus, excellent high ISO performance, and amazing image quality. The controls and functionality are great, making this a really versatile camera.
Nikon D850 DSLR Camera – The newest, biggest, and baddest (in a good way) DSLR that offers unparalleled performance. It’s not cheap, but it can outperform pro-grade cameras that cost twice as much. I’ve had this camera for nearly 2 years now and absolutely love everything about it (read my full review for more info and sample photos).
Ultimately, which of these DSLRs you buy depends upon how serious you are about photography. If you’re just getting started, no matter how excited you are about photography, I don’t recommend buying anything above an entry level model, no matter how large your budget.
For more experienced photographers looking to make an upgrade, the Nikon D850 is an amazing camera. It’s pricey, but the results are potentially worth it if you’re serious about photography. I have zero regrets about purchasing it!
Lenses
If you are serious about photography and opt to purchase a DSLR or mirrorless camera, you’ll also want to think about lenses. We have used a lot of lenses over the past few years, and we have reviewed many of these lenses on the blog. So many, in fact, that considering which to buy when your first upgrading your camera gear can be a bit intimidating.
Fortunately, we’ve put together our Top 10 Lenses for Disney Photography List that offers ideas for the best upgrade options at the beginner and intermediate level. There’s a variety of lenses on this list, from prime lenses that are great for portraits and dark rides to fisheye lenses good for fun, creative shots.
The majority of my photos are shot with ultra-wide angle lenses. I love the wide panorama look, and also using these lenses to my advantage to intentionally distort a scene. If you’re considering going wide, read my Ultra Wide Angle Lens Guide. It’ll help choose the right one.
Some of my favorite lenses include the Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye Lens, Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Lens, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8, and Sigma 30mm f/1.4. You can read about all of these lenses, and our other top picks, on that top 10 list.
***We have a lot more reviews on our Lens Reviews Page. Read that to decide what’s right for you***
Bags, Tripods & Accessories
A lot of beginners make the mistake of only budgeting for a camera and lens when starting out, only to find out they need other accessories. These things quickly add up and can cost far more than expected.
Some of these things are gadgets and trinkets that can real help out in certain situations, but aren’t universally applicable. I’ve put together a post of the Top 10 Photography Accessories for Disney Photography that are items that will really help with taking photos in the parks (in my experience, a lot of these are useful elsewhere, as well).
Here are some specific things I recommend:
Lowepro SlingShot 102 AW – This bag provides great bang for your buck, and can store your camera with a lens mounted, plus two additional lenses. It’s possible to cram three additional lenses into this in a pinch by using the top pouch for the 50mm f/1.8 or another small lens. It’s much better than the 100AW that it replaced, because you can carry a tripod on the side of it!
Velbon Luxi-L III Tripod – This is a GREAT tripod: incredible value, height, and it collapses to a small size. It’s not perfect, but it’s a balanced tripod and perfect for travel.
Tiffen 77mm Circular Polarizer – A great option for deeply saturated blue skies, but is by no means a necessity. It also acts as a neutral density filter, of sorts. Be careful using polarizers on wide angle lenses. You may not like the uneven results.
Guide Conclusion
As mentioned above, the vast majority of people just getting started in photography are probably best suited by a high-end point and shoot camera, with my absolute top pick being the Sony RX100. This is a great way to get a taste of serious photography with customizable settings and excellent image quality, but in a compact package. Most people won’t outgrow that camera, but if you do, then look at DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.
If you’ve already decided that a DSLR camera is your best option, you’ll want to think about everything you need to go along with it to really take your photography to the next level. If you’re on a limited budget, start out by making 3 upgrades: 1) tripod, 2) Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8, and 3) Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. I’d say these are the 3 best purchases a new DSLR photographer who wants to photograph the Disney Parks can make to improve their game.
However, if you really want to take your photography to the next level, gear is not what you need–at least not exclusively. What you need is knowledge. You will never take amazing photos in auto mode. You need to start by getting a copy of Understanding Exposure to learn the fundamentals, and then read more advance books, tutorials, and practice like crazy. Anyone can become great at photography, but you can’t get there just by purchasing fancy toys. 🙂
Finally, a word of warning. Don’t take shortcuts when buying photography equipment. Yes, it’s expensive, but I’ve discovered first-hand that buying photo gear on eBay or Craigslist is a huge risk. You don’t know how the seller took care of their gear, if it’s grey market (meaning US manufacturers won’t service it if there’s a problem), or what problems may come up down the road. You also don’t save that much over buying new. Finally, you don’t get a warranty. Things do go wrong with cameras, seemingly inexplicably, and it would really stink for that $1,000 investment to break with no recourse for you.
We’re Amazon Prime members, so we almost always order from Amazon.com. I also recommend Adorama.com, B&H Photo, or Abes of Maine, but I generally avoid all other online photo retailers (I STRONGLY recommend avoiding J&R Cameras due to two negative experiences I’ve had with them). By the way, if you are considering a purchase of any photography equipment, lenses, or anything else for that matter we would greatly appreciate it if you use the links in this post to make your purchase. It benefits the site, doesn’t cost you a dime, and helps us to keep providing you with useful(?) content!
Your Thoughts
What have you found helped improve your photography? Have other photography tips of your own to add? Other gear recommendations? If you have questions, please leave them in the comments below and I’ll try my best to help!
Hi Tom,
Hopefully I’m not repeating a question here, but I was wondering what post processing software you use, e.g. Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, etc., if any? I am realizing more and more that most great photos are not just straight off the SLR but have been post processed in some way. Also wondering what kinds of post processing techniques you find yourself using most often? I understand if you don’t want to reveal all of your tricks, but any pointers would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Jane (Disneyland trip scheduled for this September – can’t wait!!!)
Great info. Another option to consider is a nice micro 4/3 setup. You get a lot of fun interchangeable lens options with much less weight for your aching shoulders and back. Everything from fish eye to telephoto are at your disposal and you can throw them all in a small bag (I use a camera bag insert in a normal backpack). You may sacrifice some image quality, but for most of us that’s ok and usually still significantly better than a point and shoot.
Also, someone mentioned the Disney photographers. While this may the wrong crowd for that kind of thing, they’re a great resource for getting everyone in your party into particular shots because they are happy to take you photo with your gear.
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WAIT. Hold on. You take all these photos on your blog?! I totally thought they were stock images, but I’m pretty new here 😉 They are beautiful!! Every post I read, I think to myself “dang, those are some gorgeous photos.” Great color, great clarity, great composition, just so great! I am a wedding photographer, and I have never brought my dSLR with me to Disney World just because I hate flying with it, and I figured I wouldn’t enjoy carrying it around the parks. I’m also kind of nervous about damaging it, since it’s my money-maker 🙂 haha.
I usually take my Canon Powershot S95, and it’s ok, but not awesome. It’s nice to be able to turn it around and take some snapshots of me and my husband without much trouble. It’s a little harder to do that with my Mark iii unless I have my 28mm on. Since we’re driving this year, I think I might try to take my backup camera, a Mark ii, especially if we get to stay in Kidani! It’ll be fun to take some photos of the scenery there.
Hi! Hopefully you know this already from my comments but I read your blog all the time. 🙂 I’m looking into wireless remotes, and I was wondering if the $15 Nikon one you suggested works with a canon camera as well.
thanks so much!!! Keep the great posts coming!
No, it will not. Here is one that works with *select* (listed in the product description) Canon cameras: http://amzn.to/TXxbVK
I think many Canons require a wired remote.
Dang it! Do you know about the rebel t3i? 🙁 Sorry for all the questions.
Sariah, this is the one I have with my Canon camera: http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-RC-4-Wireless-Control-Digital/dp/B0019RGQVU
They usually say in the description which cameras they work with. I’d be sure and pay attention to the reach, though. This one isn’t great, you have to be pretty close for it to trigger 🙁 Might be ok though depending on what you want!
…Or, you could just leave the camera home at use Disney’s PhotoPass! 🙂
Somehow I don’t think many people are going to be satisfied with that idea…
Not unless a photographer follows me around and takes pictures of everything i want. LOL
Hi Tom!
First of all what a great website you have. I stumbled upon this blog while searching…what else taking better pictures at Disney World. 🙂
I will be taking the family to Disney World this coming September. (we have been to Disneyland and Disney World several times)
I own a Nikon D5100 along with this lens line-up…
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G DX
Nikon 17-85mm f/3.5-5.6G VR DX
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6F VR (FX)
I was only planning on taking the the 35mm & 17-85. Leaving the 70-300 at home.(yes I know the extra reach would be nice at Animal Kingdom, but my family already visits many zoos. I have enough animal shots).
So my question is this…. what general advice can you provide for general picture taking for the electric parade, inside with character meals, at night. What settings do you most commonly use? Aperature Priority? Full Manual? Good starting poiont for increasing the ISO. I have some great shot at Cars Land (California Adventure Park) where I had to increase the ISO to 3200 & 6400. Is that a good starting point for the parades? My newest lens is the 35mm f/1.8. I really looked hard at the Sigma 30mm and 18-30 but, due to other home costs, those lens jsut were not in the budget for right now. Yet I knew I needed a big aperature for Disney for the reasons a mentioned above. Hence the purchase of the 35mm prime. (which I know is a faboulous lens in itself).
Any general setting guidelines would be most helpful. thanks you in advance. You have some amazing pictures for which you gave me some ideas what I want to shoot this fall besides the stand family with kids pictures.
with my regards
Here are photography tips for the night parades: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/main-street-electrical-parade-best-viewing-spots-photography-tips/
That should be a good start. Have a great trip!
I didn’t see it mentioned above– what kind of camera strap do you use? Any thoughts on cross body straps?
Tom, Congratulations on your photos making it to the Disney Parks Photo Project! I’ve just seen them on tumblr and they are absolutely stunning.
Thanks! 🙂
Excellent info here and love reading it to review or get new tips, thanks! We have a great camera system but sometimes just want to travel light for a day with our iPhones (4 & 5). Do you have any experience with lens for them or any recommendations?
Do you have any experience with or have you heard anything about he Nikon Coolpix L820. I want a camera that takes decent pics for family vacations, etc. I cannot afford a DSLR and I think that maybe too much camera/too complicated for me anyway. I only have about $250 to spend on a camera so I was looking for something in that range. I would really appreciate any feedback you could give me as your photos are always so wonderful. PS. I am currently using my Smartphone as a camera and I hate it.
Hello Tom,
I found your site recently and it is really helpful for me, a beginner into photography. I saw your recommendation about the lens filter and it mostly you talked about screw in filter. Did you use any drop in filter or any suggestions to get them?
I have Canon 50D + below lenses
50mm F1.8 (prime), 24-70mm F2.8, 10-22mm, 55-250mm
Looking for adding filter as you mentioned. But still not convinced to get screw in as it requires much time and has less flexibility to switch to multiple lenses.
Please reply me.
Unfortunately, I only have experience with screw-in filters. I’ve considered using a drop-in system for my Nikon 14-24, but have yet to go that route. It’s a lot of extra hassle in a theme park setting.
I was thinking about the Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 G as I can’t find the old Sigma 35mm 1.4 anywhere new and the new one that can zoom is a bit out of my price range right now.
Look for the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, not the Sigma 35mm f/1.4. Two different lenses–the latter is full frame and is much more expensive!
I have 2 kit lenses and was wondering what I should pick up or upgrade next. I have a AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and a AF-s DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6. I am mainly interested in shooting fireworks, fantasmic, world of color, and nighttime and daytime landscape/building shots.
I’d go for an ultra wide angle based on your list. Good luck!
Hi! I’m a single mom traveling with my 4 year old to DisneyWorld next month. I have a Nikon D3200, I really want to take it with us in the parks, but I’m not sure the best way to carry it. I really don’t want to have a lot to carry around.
Thanks,
Ashley
Have you checked out the camera bags mentioned in this post (see the link above)? There are a few small ones that would work with a D3200.
I LOVE your work, but how did and do we get the photos of Disney without anyone in it. Will they let you tag along behind everyone and snap a few before locking up?
This might be a silly question, but I have a DSLR and am taking my girlfriend to Disney World in a couple of months. We both would like to ride some of the rides, but how would you recommend handling a camera while going on rides?
Would it be better to just leave to camera in the room and use it when not in the parks? Any suggestions would help.
Thanks,
Matthew
Tom, when was the student/teacher edition for CS6 $192? Was this posted a long time ago? I looked on amazon through your link and was $349. I figured this may have changed. Thanks. I would love to use my husbands student ID and purchase for us using his discount.
Hi Tom Love your site, just ordered Understanding Exposure on your recomendation. Keep up the good work
Awesome! Best of luck getting started with photography!
After reading your review, I tried out the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Art version for couple of weeks after I got it from B&H photo. Sadly, I sent an email requesting a refund. The lens on my D300 Nikon just doesn’t focus very well, really inconsistent results on different days on the same subject in the same location. I requested the Nikon version in the email. At least, Nikon is consistent, and B&H has great customer service.