POSTED: Wed, 03/20/2013 - 05:05 | POSTED BY: Kristen Kirk Wed, 03/20/2013 - 05:05 |

It could be said that no trip to Walt Disney World would be complete without a picture or two of the magnificent Cinderella Castle. In fact of you haven't brought your own camera, you don't need to worry because Disney has PhotoPass photographers stationed all the way down Main Street USA to capture that shot of you standing directly in front of the castle. It's a vacation tradition for millions, but is a shot right down Main Street the best way to get a picture of the castle? I want to offer a couple of tips for beginners that offer alternative shots just about anyone can line up for beautiful castle photography.











The Hub - Partners and the Castle

If you don't have your own camera available you'll find you'll find Photo Pass photographers waiting to take your picture all the way down Main Street U.S.A. My suggestion though is to wait until you're at the far end where several Photo Pass photographers are located in the hub at the end of Main Street, in front of the partners statue, and also in front of the castle stage.











My favorite shot in the hub is off center to the right. If you step close to the planter in the center, you can frame up a shot with a beautiful view of the Statue and the Castle together. By stepping to the side, you move the two subjects apart from each other so that they're no long competing for the attention of the viewers eye. This view also offers a nice backdrop to place a human subject centered in front.











If you would like the Partners Statue and the Castle from a more directly forward position, still step just off to the right. That will allow Walt's outstretched arm to be shown in a welcoming gesture. If you step to the left his arm closes off the shot and blocks that feeling and can seem awkward.











Landscape Shots - Liberty Square & Tomorrowland Bridge

One of my very favorite view of Cinderella Castle is from Liberty Square Bridge. From this transition space you can capture not only a great picture that shows the castle basics, but you can capture the beautiful landscaping around Cinderella Castle and the moat. One of the best parts about shooting the castle from this location is that you have the ability to get a serene image with few tourists even on the busiest of park days.











A great landscape view of the Magic Kingdom's centerpiece was demolished to make room for the Hub expansion. However there are new lawns and gardens in the area that also create lovely spots to photograph the castle from on the Tomorrowland side of the hub. Tomorrowland Terrance has long been a prime fireworks viewing location, so you know that you will be able to get great nighttime shots from that area as well.











Dealing with Tourists

It's not always possible to get a beautiful castle shot without hundreds of people getting in it. Many photographers will make an advance dining reservation in the before the park opens for the Crystal Palace or Cinderella's Royal Table in order to get a clear shot.

There are ways though to make your pictures more personal or more interesting while trying to shot around throngs of strangers. Many times I will have my family walk ahead of me slowly, or tell them to stand someplace and look at this or that. In doing this I can capture my own family amongst the tourists in a more candid shot.











Finally, if you just can't get away from all the people, try shooting higher and make the castle the backdrop rather than the main image. Disney always has lovely decorated lamp posts that offer a decorative focal point. By raising your camera higher than the heads of the crowd and shooting down the row of planters you can take the focus away from the mass of people and put it on the decorative elements in your shot.

There are many non-traditional views and spots in the Magic Kingdom to get fantastic pictures of Cinderella Castle, so be creative and keep your eyes open. Take more then one shots of everything, and never be afraid to look silly to get the picture that you want. Do you have any castle photography tips? Where is your favorite spot to view the castle from? Leave a comment below and let us know!