disney california adventure

Oh, to be a west coast photographer. <3

I know the grass is always greener on the other side, but I’m so jealous of the opportunities Disneyland photographers have! Since Disney Fine Art Photography doesn’t exist on the west coast, outside photographers are just “photographers” and allowed to shoot in-park sessions. In park weddings, even! And bride and groom sessions in the park!!! I’m always swooning at the photos that come from out there. Maybe it’s just because of the new limitations regarding resort photo sessions out here, but I’m in the mood to reminisce about our Disneyland anniversary session with these two. :)

We photographed Liz and Bryan’s wedding in Orlando years ago, and when she wrote us asking if we’d come out to Disneyland for their anniversary session, my fingers couldn’t type out “YES!!” fast enough!! We love these guys, and their session happened to fall during Disneyland’s 60th anniversary, so I’m extra grateful they gave us the chance! We added a few days on to the trip, obviously, and I’ll be posting some of those photos over on my JenseyLoves blog in the near future. <3

We started the session in Nate and my favorite spot probably in the whole park- Brisa Courtyard at the Grand Californian Hotel. We waited forever for a monorail to pass, but no luck. I love the photos we got in the meantime, though! :)

Then it was on to DCA for some play time, eeeeeeee! :)

I mean, admit it- A churro stand never looked so romantic! <3

Liz’s tattoo that has the coordinates of the Wedding Pavilion. <3

Way too many favorites to pick just one, but this is up there for me! :)

My favorite place on Earth + one of our favorite Root couples = Heaven.

Liz, this is my vote for a canvas! :)

Liz’s favorite ride is The Haunted Mansion, so we snuck around for some photos around the house. They hadn’t opened the extended queue yet, so I love that we got some empty photos at her favorite place! :)

Liz and Bryan, we love y’all so much and can’t wait to see you again in MAY! :) And Disneyland brides- Bring us back out, pleeeeeeease! :)

So, my love for Disneyland has reached a new level that I throw a daycare-worthy temper tantrum on the last night of our trips, refusing to leave the park until Nate promises me we’ll be back. But not just that we’ll be back- I need to know the month and how much we’ll be saving for it each month. It has truly become my happy place!

On our previous trips, we spent an occasional afternoon in Disney California Adventure, which for us had always just been something to do when Disneyland is crazy crowded. Both of our previous visits were before the new expansion, so it felt like the first 1/3 of the park was just construction walls. When Disney announced Cars Land, I thought it was the worst idea I’d heard yet- I’m so not a fan of the Cars franchise… Little did I know we’d love that land so much it ended up being where we spent most of our time. :)

My favorite part of our trip this time was watching Radiator Springs’ fluorescent lights turn on at sunset. <3

So, so photogenic! We could have (and practically did!) shoot here all day.

And because I can’t do a Disneyland preview without putting in at least a couple photos of the Disneyland Park, these are my favorites so far- Both of the French Quarter, which happened to be decked out for Mardi Gras… How cute are all the dangling beads? :)

Liz + Bryan : Disneyland Anniversary Session

Disneyland : Preview