Welcome to the world of theme parks, where dreams come true, memories are made, and magical moments are captured through photographs! As an avid theme park fan and a professional photographer, I have fallen in love with the art of theme park photography! There’s nothing better than capturing your love for these magical places with unique, personal, and stunning photographs. However, there is a common challenge that plagues both tourists and locals alike – the struggle to capture truly unique and standout photos in an environment that is one of the most photographed places on the planet.

So, let's dive into a solution! This article is your treasure map to unearthing the secrets of creating stunning, jaw-dropping, envy-inducing photos at your favorite theme parks. Along this journey I will be sharing a handful of my favorite photos that I’ve taken, my expertise and insights, along with some work of other amazing creators that inspire me to craft better and more personalized art of my favorite parks. Whether you find yourself exploring the enchantment of Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World, taking an adrenaline-fueled ride at Universal Studios, or diving into the whimsical world of Harry Potter, this culmination of guides is for you.

Your Guide to Spectacular Theme Park Photography:

The Problem of Standing Out From the Crowd

Theme parks have become a mecca for photography enthusiasts and social media aficionados seeking to showcase their experiences to the world. With the advent of smartphones and social media platforms, it has never been easier to photograph and share moments captured within these captivating realms. However, this accessibility has led to a saturation of similar photos flooding our feeds, making it increasingly difficult to capture something truly unique and memorable. You can’t rely on luck or happenstance to snap an extraordinary shot at a theme park anymore. It requires patience, exploration, technique, and a few ingenious tricks to stand out from the crowd.

That's where this article comes to the rescue. We need to uncover the art of finding fresh perspectives, employing creative composition techniques, mastering lighting conditions, and utilizing the resources available to you within the park. In the following sections, we will explore how to make use of your surroundings, embrace the power of timing, and experiment with unconventional angles to create visually striking images. We will also discuss the importance of understanding your equipment, including both smartphones and dedicated cameras, and optimizing their settings to capture those moments of pure magic.

Mastering the Basics of Photography:

Alright, photography wizards-in-training, let's start with the essentials! Obviously, you’ve got your camera or smartphone in hand, but now what? Just snapping photos hasn’t been getting you the result that you’ve been looking for. Don’t worry, I've been in that exact spot where it feels like everything you’re getting is either lackluster or it’s been seen before. But don’t worry or feel down, because we're going to break down some techniques and help level up your photos from the start!

Understanding Your Equipment:

First things first, let's get familiar with your gear. Whether you're rocking the latest mirrorless camera, a DSLR, film camera, or even your smartphone, understanding your tool is the key to capturing memorable shots. Spend some quality time getting acquainted with your camera's settings and modes. Become familiar with the exposure triangle — Shutter speed, aperture, ISO—these are manipulated to capture unique and personalized photos (I’ve linked a great video that helps explain this concept). Each one lets you control how your photo turns out, so don't be afraid to experiment. And hey, if you're using a smartphone, you've got a powerful camera right at your fingertips. Just make sure to dig into those settings too for some hidden gems or download an app that allows you to gain total control over your phone’s camera. It can’t be overstated how important it is to break out of automatic mode and master manual settings! It might sound daunting at first, but it’s not! Once you understand the basic principle of the exposure triangle, an endless possibility of creativity is unlocked.

Pro Tip: If your camera allows you to shoot in a RAW format opposed to something like jpgs or heic. This will give you the most room to edit in post, which we will cover later on!

crafting Light:

Now, let's talk about two crucial aspects that can transform your photos from average to awesome: light and composition. Think of them as the building blocks of your photography journey, helping you craft captivating images.

Lighting can make or break a shot. Have you ever taken a photo during a time that looked great in real life but the photo turned out too dark or washed out? It's a common struggle, but here's the trick: light is your canvas. Since we’re not able to craft the light at the parks, we have to use what’s around us and plan accordingly! Remember, every adjustment you make to the exposure triangle changes the way your camera captures light — it’s all a balancing act, but experimenting can help you capture reality in a creative and fresh way.

I recall a time when I captured a sunset at Cinderella Castle, and the warm, golden light transformed the castle into something that was better than reality within my photo. Timing matters!

Comprehending Composition:

Now, let's move on to composition. Composition is 90% of your photo - it’s THAT important! Imagine your photo as a canvas, and you're the artist arranging the elements. Ever heard of the rule of thirds? It's a simple tool that can have a huge impact in the way someone comprehends and experiences your photo. Most cameras have markers that can be turned on that divide your frame into nine equal parts with ticktacktoe looking lines that divide your frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically. You can use this grid to place your subject along these lines or at their intersections. This can instantly add balance and intrigue to your photos. Always be conscious of how and where you’re framing the subject of your image.

Pro tip: also use leading lines – these are any lines in a frame that act like pathways guiding the viewer's eye through your image.

One last tip about composition: don’t shoot flat! The true sign of a professional photographer versus an amateur is the use of depth. Always be looking for a foreground, middle ground, and background. A great photo will incorporate all three of those elements. One hack that I use constantly at the parks is shooting through foliage or other objects to obscure parts of the photo to help frame and draw attention to the subject. Always avoid shooting a subject that has no foreground or background elements.

Remember, photography is about experimenting. Sometimes, I take a bunch of shots of the same scene, changing settings and angles with each one. The beauty of digital photography is that you can take as many shots as you need to get the perfect one. Experiment with where you’re shooting, what you’re using to frame your subject, and the perspective in which you’re shooting the subject.

Planning Your Theme Park Photography Adventure:

Ready for the next step on our photography journey? Let's dive into planning your theme park photography adventure. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a local looking for fresh angles, this section is all about making the most of your time in the park and capturing those one-of-a-kind moments.

Researching Park Layouts and Attractions:

Before you even set foot in the park, it's time to do a little homework. If this is a theme park that you don’t frequent often, do some research on different social media platforms to see what people are currently photographing the most. Familiarize yourself with what you do like and what you don’t —what looks common-place, and what looks unique. Sometimes learning the lay of the land and identifying the must-see attractions and iconic spots can be helpful, but sometimes being open to exploring on the day of your visit can be the most inspiring tool in your arsenal. No one sees the world the same way that you do, so use your unique perspective to find what YOU like!

Pro Tip: Speaking from experience, it's not just about the big attractions. Sometimes, a quiet corner or a charming alleyway can lead to some of the most memorable shots!

Crafting a Shot List: Finding Unique Angles to Capture Iconic Landmarks:

Alright, let's tackle a common photography dilemma: capturing those iconic landmarks, like Cinderella Castle, without making your photos look like everyone else's. Trust me, I've faced this challenge countless times. There's something about famous spots that makes us all want to capture the perfect shot, but how do we make it stand out? It’s easy to feel discouraged when you think you have the perfect shot lined up, and then when you’re reviewing your photos what you ended up with looks just like the millions of other photos of Cinderella Castle. Here’s the question: we all know what these locations look like, but how do we capture something that is uniquely our own?

Well, PART of the secret sauce is in finding those unique angles. Remember what we talked about with composition! Framing is 90% of the photo, and with famous landmarks that statement is even more true. Think of photography like a puzzle – you're trying to piece together a new perspective that others might not have thought of.

I remember being at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and wanting to capture Expedition Everest. I started off in the same situation we’ve been talking about — taking tons of the same photos we’ve all seen and feeling discouraged by it. However, what unlocked something inside of me was when I had not just a mental shift, but a physical shift. Instead of the usual straight-on shot of the mountain and coaster, I wandered off to the side and found a few different spots where the mountain was framed by lush greenery, architecture, and other objects I could place in the foreground. It turned a familiar sight into something fresh and captivating.

Ever since, I’ve stuck to a few rules. Firstly, remember the ideas of composition we talked about earlier in this article. Always shoot with depth (find a foreground, middle ground and background). And secondly, always find a unique perspective. After following these simple guidelines, I started viewing these magical locations we all love with a sense of exploration, and everything clicked into place.

So, when you're crafting your shot list, be sure to include those iconic landmarks but also challenge yourself to find alternative angles. Allow yourself time to go explore and wander down a path that you see is less crowded. Again, oftentimes the best photos are taken where other people aren’t going because those are the angles that people are the least familiar with! Think outside the box of perspective! Maybe it's a view from the back, a shot from ground level, or even a close-up that highlights interesting details. These are the shots that will make your collection truly your own. After all, exploring the parks and admiring the beauty and details is part of the fun and magic of theme park photography! It helps us understand and love these places even more fully.

Navigating the Parks for Photography Success:

Welcome to the thrilling section of our journey where we'll dive into navigating the parks to maximize your photography success! Whether you're an early bird chasing the perfect sunrise or a night owl capturing the magic of the evening lights, this section is all about timing and making the most of every moment of your day at the parks.

Arriving Early for Golden Hour Magic:

Picture this: the sun is just peeking over the horizon, casting a soft, warm glow across the park. This is the golden hour, the time when photographers around the world come alive. As the sun rises, the soft light it casts easily enhances the quality of lighting in any photo. Arriving early might mean a bit less sleep, but the rewards are well worth it.

If the park that you’re planning on visiting is open early enough to catch the sunrise, I highly recommend taking advantage of it. During this magical hour, the lighting is incredibly soft and flattering. It can turn even the most ordinary scene into a work of art. Not to mention the crowds will be significantly less.

Take advantage of any opportunity you have to capture a moment in the park without people in sight. These are rare photos, but can have the most wow-factor to them. Fewer people means less distraction in your shots and more opportunities for unobstructed views.

I remember a particular morning at Magic Kingdom when I arrived just as the sun was rising in late 2020 during the pandemic. The crowds were nonexistent, and the way the golden hour sun illuminated Cinderella Castle was absolutely mesmerizing. I was able to capture one of my favorite images of the castle that I’ve ever taken. Capturing one of the most photographed icons in the world with no people in frame and the sky powerfully exploding with color made a typically common shot super unique. So, set that alarm clock a bit earlier and get ready to capture the parks in a whole new light!

Likewise, sunset also offers its own golden hour. If your park doesn’t open early enough for sunrise, the chances of capturing explosively colorful skies in the evening are even higher. Sunset is personally my favorite time of day. Its colors are often more punchy than during sunrise, and as we’ll talk about next, it also offers some unique views with the lights of the park beginning to turn on. The only downside is that the parks remain crowded during sunset, and in some cases like at Magic Kingdom, the large crowds can offer difficult shooting conditions in certain sections of the park if everyone is gathering to watch the fireworks.

Regardless of which golden hour time you choose to shoot, be prepared! Golden hour has its name for a reason, it only lasts for a short period of time. This means that it will be impossible to catch every single shot of the park at this time of day. If your goal is to capture everything, you’ll end up catching nothing. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way multiple times. Plan out which shots you want during this time, and be realistic! If you want two shots from two different spots that are on the opposite sides of the park from each other, your chances of capturing those will be much lower. Decide which photo is the most important to you, plan to capture that one, and then shoot in locations nearby to photograph other subjects during this prime time.

Exploring Unconventional Shooting Times:

Now, let's fast forward to the evening. As the sun sets and the park's lights begin to twinkle, a whole new world of photography possibilities opens up. Nighttime photography is like adding a dash of magic to your shots. The parks take on a different character after dark, and they often inspire other unique forms of photography that you wouldn’t have considered during a bright mid-day shoot.

One of my favorite memories is from a night at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. As the sun set, the lights to The Incredible Hulk roller coaster turned on, and it allowed me to capture a powerful, unique, and personal image of such an iconic ride for the park, and one of my very first roller coaster credits. To capture these moments, you'll need to be comfortable with longer exposure times and maybe even have a small tripod to keep your camera steady. This particular frame was taken handheld but with the support of a nearby ledge and the use of In-body Image Stabilization, or IBIS for short.

Pro Tip: If there’s a dining or special reservation event available at your park, book the reservation for the latest time possible. When it’s time to leave, you’re almost guaranteed an empty park to take photos at after closing on your way out. Next time you’re at Galaxy’s Edge, book an Oga's Cantina reservation for the end of the night to snag a photo of the Millennium Falcon with no one else around while you’re leaving!

Moral of the story, don't pack up when the sun goes down – that's when the real adventure begins. Whether it's Cinderella Castle illuminated in a sea of lights or the Hollywood Tower Hotel glowing mysteriously in the dark, the parks at night offer a whole new canvas for your photography skills.

Enhancing Your Theme Park Photography:

Welcome to the heart of our theme park photography adventure! In this section, we're going to delve into the art of taking stunning portraits, freezing the thrill of rides, and showcasing the intricate architecture that makes these parks so captivating. Get ready to add depth and dimension to your collection of memories that will really stand out and capture your love of the parks!

Taking Better Portraits:

Let's talk about capturing the people who make your theme park experience so special – your family and friends!

One of the things that I love the most about theme parks is their ability to transport you to new places. At Universal Studios, you can be in a turn of the century New York City cityscape in one moment, and then in a magical realm of wizardry the next moment! Utilizing these backdrops and sets for portraits can be so powerful, and they can up the quality of your photoshoot immensely. 

When taking portraits, all the rules we’ve already discussed are applicable! However, lighting is your secret weapon. Avoid harsh sunlight that creates unflattering shadows. Instead, seek out open shade or even overcast days for soft, even lighting. While we don’t have studio soft box lighting, clouds offer massive coverage of soft lighting — it’s like having the world’s largest softbox in the sky! It’s also highly recommended that you capture portraits during the golden hour we talked about earlier. The warm, gentle light can add a magical touch to your portraits. If you’re shooting at night, get creative and use lighting coming from facade windows or the neon lights from signage. Use lighting to paint your subject!

Again, framing is everything! Don’t forget to pay attention to the background. Oftentimes it’s easy to get wrapped up in perfectly positioning your subject the way that you want, that you forget to check the background and surrounding areas. A cluttered or distracting background can take away from the focus on your subject. Look for clean and simple backdrops that complement your subjects without stealing the spotlight.

If your frame has people wandering around in the background, be patient and wait for the right moment when there’s a lull in the flow of traffic. Waiting those extra moments to capture a clean background will set your photo apart from the rest! And don't be afraid to experiment with different angles and poses to capture genuine expressions and connections.

Creating Dynamic Ride Photos:

Some theme park rides are all about thrills and excitement, and capturing that adrenaline rush in a photo can be a bit tricky. But don’t worry, because we're here to help you freeze the action in all its glory. In this section we’ll cover a few techniques that will help you capture the action of thrill rides in different ways.

When it comes to rides, it's all about timing and technique, and here is where you get to experiment! When learning about shutter speed, you learned that the faster the shutter is, the crisper the image will be when your subject is moving. Likewise, the slower your shutter speed, the more blur will be introduced to your frame when the subject is moving. Fast-moving rides don’t always call for fast shutter speeds!

While slower rides might be easier to capture with various shutter speeds, you can experiment with longer exposures to capture motion blur with any attraction. Burst mode is your best friend with quick attractions with high shutter speeds such as roller coasters! Burst mode. will allow you to snap a rapid sequence of shots in a matter of seconds if your shutter speed is quick enough. From there, you can easily pick the perfect moment from your selection. This photo was taken as one of many within a burst. I held down the shutter button right before the coaster train reached the area I wanted to freeze in time, and I kept taking photos until the coaster had left the area I was focused on. That allowed me to stop the train perfectly in the first inversion of its iconic cobra roll element.

This photo of The Incredible Hulk coaster was shot in burst mode at high speed. I found an angle of the coaster that I liked, waited for the iconic moment of the coaster being launched, and snapped as many photos as possible. Later on I was able to select the perfect moment where the coaster train was perfectly upside-down and being framed by the ride track.

Showcasing Architectural Wonders:

Every theme park is a treasure trove of architectural wonders waiting to be captured. The grand castles, futuristic buildings, cities from bygone eras, and intricately designed streets are all perfect subjects in and of themselves.

Wide-angle lenses are often your best companions for capturing these architectural marvels. Capturing wide shots with a 24mm lens or wider will allow you to capture the scale and grandeur of these structures in a single shot. But don't be afraid to mix it up.

Although wide angles allow you to capture more in one frame, they’re becoming more and more common and familiar. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different focal lengths and perspectives with architecture – sometimes, a shot from ground level can add drama and impact to your photos, but sometimes using a telephoto lens and compressing your background offers an even more unique view that most would overlook while shooting because it goes against the “norm".

One of my favorite photos from Galaxy’s Edge isn’t a shot of the Millennium Falcon, although I do have a few photos that I’m proud of that capture that icon beautifully. It’s actually this simple photo of a spire on top of a gift shop. The reason why I love it so much is because this is an image that would oftentimes be overlooked, but at the same time it captures the beauty and attention-to-detail in the land. This image transports you to a galaxy far far away. It doesn’t feel like it’s a theme park, but instead it captures the essence of why I love these parks so much and the imagination these places can take hold of. Although it’s a simple shot, it tells a story and speaks loudly. This image uses several of the techniques we’ve discussed in this series of articles.

Editing and Sharing Your Theme Park Captures:

After the previous section on leveling up your theme park photography, you’ve now mastered the manual features of your camera, you understand composition, unlocked new ways of comprehending sight-lines and unique perspectives of your favorite parks. You’ve braved the crowds, embraced golden hours and sunsets, and captured the essence of theme parks in your photos. However, with photography, capturing the photo is only half the battle. Now, it's time to elevate your shots even further through the magic of post-processing! In this section, we'll explore how to select the best shots, enhance colors and details, and share your imaginative images with the world.

Selecting the Best Shots:

After a day of shooting, you've likely amassed a daunting, super collection of photos. Now comes the task of sorting through them to find the true gems. It's like panning for gold – you're sifting through the pebbles to separate the valuable and special from the ordinary. After some days, I often have over 2,000 photos to look through. But don’t let that stress you out!

Take your time during this process. This process is what separates the professionals from the rest. Look for images that capture a moment, evoke an emotion, or tell a story. Pay attention to composition, sharpness, and overall impact. Sometimes, a slight variation in angle or timing can make a huge difference. And don't be afraid to be ruthless. A smaller collection of strong shots will leave a more lasting impression than a massive album of average ones. Read that last part again if you need to.

Pro Tip: When sorting through images, I will mark photos with potential as a ‘4 star’ in Lightroom. After looking through the full batch, I’ll sort by 4 star photos and higher. From there, I’ll further refine mu selection by moving photos down to 3 stars, which removes it from my filter, or promote the photo to 5 stars, which ultimately determines which photos I will fully edit.

Post-Processing Techniques:

Once you've selected your top shots, it's time to work your editing magic. Post-processing is like adding the finishing touches to your masterpiece and pushing your photos to accomplish your final vision. You're enhancing colors, adjusting contrasts, and refining details to make your photos pop. You can do this with a variety of applications. Research what works best with your budget. I personally use Lightroom Classic, Photoshop, and occasionally Luminar Neo, but there’s no wrong choice as long as it helps you achieve the image you had in your head!

Start by adjusting exposure and contrast. This can help balance out any overly bright or dark areas. This is why shooting RAW was a pro tip earlier in THIS ARTICLE. RAW files store more data and will allow you to adjust the highs and lows more. If you miss the perfect exposure on the day of shooting, it's a lot easier to save the photo if it’s shot in RAW. If your editing program has histograms, use them! Histograms show your exposure on a graph. This is super helpful for knowing when your colors and exposure sits. While high contrast photos are appealing, it's easy to overdo it and push the highlights and shadows too far and end up losing detail in your photo. Using a histogram helps avoid any issues and it helps get your exposure to the perfect levels that you’re looking for.

Once your contrast is balanced, move on to color correction – play with saturation and vibrancy to bring out the deep hues of the theme park image. But remember, subtlety is key. A little enhancement goes a long way. Make subtle global adjustments and learn to break down images into sections by using masks. Using masks for specific areas can add a specific artistic touch and bring out unique details that could otherwise be hidden with basic global adjustments. You can also further refine colors and tones with the HSL tab which breaks down an image into its individual hues, saturations, and luminance. Become as familiar as possible with this section of your editing software. The HSL tab will unlock so many possibilities in your edits.

Sharing Your Photography:

With your photos polished, refined, and crafted to your liking, it's time to share your visual adventures with the world! Although social media platforms are your canvas for showcasing your theme park captures to the world, don’t forget to personally enjoy your art! The art of photography is more than being able to impress faceless people online — it’s about celebrating and capturing the things you love in life.

Photography should be a joy, so personally  enjoying your work is incredibly important. Yes, post it on social media, but also find ways to enjoy it yourself. For me personally, my top favorite photos are saved as my phone background, so I get reminded of the stories associated with those pictures daily. Do something similar with your own work!

But don't just stop at creating your art – actually engage with the photography community! Join theme park photography groups, participate in challenges, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Share your insights, learn from others, and keep evolving as a photographer.
And most of all, don't be shy about printing your favorites and turning them into physical keepsakes! There’s something special about being able to physically hold your work and see it in front of you. Bringing your theme park memories to life beyond the digital realm is a great way to celebrate the places we love while also learning and becoming a better photographer from it.

Conclusion:

As we reach the end of our theme park photography expedition, take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey you've undertaken. From mastering the basics of your camera to finding unique angles, embracing golden hours and sunsets, and diving into post-processing, you've unlocked a world of possibilities within the borders of your viewfinder.
Remember, theme park photography is about more than just capturing images – it's about encapsulating memories, emotions, and the essence of the enchanting places we all hold dear. Your photos are a testament to the joy, wonder, and shared experiences that these parks offer to all of us!

So, keep honing your skills, keep discovering those hidden gems, and keep crafting your own visual narratives. The adventure doesn't have to end when you leave the park. Every photo you take is a testament to your unique perspective and the moments that have touched your heart.

Thank you for embarking on this journey with me. As you venture forth, camera in hand, may your photos continue to reflect the magic that makes theme parks an everlasting source of joy. Here's to capturing countless more unforgettable moments and weaving them into your own tapestry of memories. Happy photographing!