The Root Photography Blog

Disneyland Holiday Family Session!

January 15, 2017 by Jensey 4 Comments

The week before Christmas, Nate and I had the honor of going to Disneyland for a work trip. But just not ANY work trip… A trip for a session with favorite Root Lifers, Liz and Bryan! Just to recap, we photographed their wedding at Walt Disney World years ago (see that here!) and their anniversary session at Disneyland last summer…

Which you can see again here! :) Last summer, the weather was warm but lovely and we were able to get to the park first thing and beat the crowds.

This year, however… :/ We were “lucky” to get to experience a rare sight- Rain in Anaheim! Nate and I had followed the forecast like crazy people leading up to our trip, but the rain didn’t pop up in the forecast until we got there. Unfortunately, this meant rain or shine we were making it happen. Luckily, they were wonderful sports, as was Liz’s sweet family who we were also photographing! :)

We actually got really, really, REALLY lucky with the weather. We may have had to start our session after lunch instead of first thing that morning, but the rain held out until our last set of photos! I was so thankful!! :)

Liz’s parents are two of my favorite human beings on Earth. Her mother is pure sunshine and it’s impossible to not smile when she’s around! :)

Sibling photo ;)

Oh, Tower of Terror! :/

Liz was showing off her newest Disney tattoos to me, but Nate took this photo thinking to anyone else, it looks like I was admiring her biceps, lol. <3

I MEAN! And yes, that’s Ellie, her pup, riding in a doom buggy from Haunted Mansion!

Colschens and Youngs, we adore y’all!!!!!!!!!!!

Liz + Bryan : Disneyland Anniversary Session

September 30, 2015 by Jensey 6 Comments

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! :)

Club 33

May 22, 2013 by Jensey 7 Comments

Before you begin reading, pretend that I posted this yesterday. ;)

I can’t believe one year ago today (*wink*) I crossed off a top ten bucket list dream of mine- Dining at the exclusive Club 33 in Disneyland. If you’ve never heard of Club 33, you may be asking yourself, “Why is some Disney restaurant on the top ten of her bucket list?” And I would have to explain to you the significance of this magical place:

(Summary borrowed from Wikipedia, where you can read more about the origin here!)

When Walt Disney was working with various corporate promoters for his attractions at the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair, he noted the various “VIP Lounges” provided as an accommodation for the corporate elite. This gave him the idea that culminated in Club 33. When New Orleans Square was planned, this special area for corporate sponsors and VIPs was included. While originally intended for exclusive use by Disneyland’s Corporate sponsors and other industry VIPs, when Club 33 opened in May 1967—five months after Disney’s death—individual memberships were also offered. As of 2011, there is a 14 year waiting list for new memberships. The membership waiting list was re-opened in May 2012 after being closed for over a decade. Corporate members pay an initiation fee of $27,500, and individual members pay $10,000 in addition to annual dues, which are about $6,100 or $3,500, respectively. Initiation and dues may change annually.

When I first heard of Club 33 years ago, I dreamed of going but obviously didn’t have too many friends (or even a friend of a friend) with a membership. Enter the delightful Carrie and Patrick, who are not only two of the coolest people we know but friends with the coolest people I don’t know! (If you ever wanted to hear Carrie chatting with, oh, I don’t know- Dick Van Dyke about his wedding, for instance, you can listen to her podcast here!)

The entrance in New Orleans Square. <3 Carrie had to send her hair and blood samples through a secret box while giving secret knocks, clicks, and passwords to grant our access. (Or, you know, just buzzing the doorbell, but whatever!)

When the door opens, you’re greeted with a cozy lobby and a French lift (which I insisted we take, of course).

The menu *cue the Hallelujah chorus.*

The main dining room where we were seated at a window table like rockstars:

Instead of coffee after lunch, I asked for hot chocolate. :)

I thought I knew all about Club 33 going into the experience, but I had no idea how expansive the outside balcony was, which weaves all above New Orleans Square. I think the highlight of Nate’s life was hanging out up here watching the “peasants” below, and has resulted in fist shakes at anyone we’ve seen on “our” balcony since. :)

Thank you Patrick for this photo of us!!

And I leave you with a photo of the ladies’ restroom, where I may or may not have stuffed my purse with those paper Club 33 napkins. Because that’s what all the classy ladies do, right? :) Carrie and Patrick, thank you for granting a decade-long wish!!

Click here for more Carrie and Patrick blog love!

Carrie’s Disney Wedding Podcast

Disney Travel Babble!