I think we have all had a moment (or a million) on a trip or in everyday life where we wish we had a photographer to document the special moments while we just enjoy them. 

 On a recent trip to Disneyland, fellow photographer, mom and my co-teacher for our online photography class for parents, Tenley Clark and I we got a Genie+ Photo pass which comes with free pictures throughout the park. This means anywhere you see one of their staff photographers you can grab some pictures at that spot for free (you also get your ride photos free!). Pretty neat right? This was our first time utilizing this feature together and we thought it would be a great way to get group shots since bringing a tripod to an amusement park isn't typically allowed (also who wants to carry that all day!?).

While we were grateful to get those pictures, they were also a great reminder that it isn't about the camera, but about the photographer. These are trained people whose job is photography, so they aren't horrible by any means. But we wanted to show you the side by sides of what we got at some of the same spots vs. what they got to show you in real time the magic in the very tips that we are teach in our courses.

WHAT THEY GOT VS. WHAT WE GOT

Obviously these first two comparisons are focused on two individuals vs. a group but you can see the differences in exposure, emotion, connection and angles. The last one is more direct comparison taken at the same spot of our two cutie pies.

Our course, Capturing Everyday Magic, will teach you all the tricks you need to get your photos to look less stiff and posed and more dynamic when you travel, just like the ones you see on the right.  

Still, a picture is better than no picture at all. Thankfully there are things you can do in editing to help improve any image and that’s one of our huge Genie+ Photo Pass Tips…edit, edit, edit! Take a look at these before and afters using one of our included one-click Lightroom presets from the course and super quick editing tweaks we teach in the course on the photos they took. So much better! 

BEFORE VS. AFTER

And while it certainly is nice to have a photographer around to get those photos so you can be in them, it's still important to know how to take them yourself when no one else is around. While these posed photos in front of the key parts of the park are things we will certainly cherish as a memory of our time, it's the candid ones that make our hearts flutter and feels all the feels all over again. 

If you want to learn how to take amazing pictures of you and your kids when you travel (and everyday!), as well as edit photos like those given to you by Genie+ Photo Pass, grab our course!

Want more travel tips, including some of our favorite Disneyland photo spots? Click here!