I’ve been to Disneyland several times over the last year …. and I don’t even have a season pass (I should get one!) …

I love love love Disneyland. I grew up in Southern California, and there was a stretch of time growing up when I was at the park at least once a year.

Andrew and I even went to Disneyland for our honeymoon – although, we were living in AZ at the time, so it was more of a trip than it would be now. AND I was in Grad school at the time and couldn’t take a lot of days off….

ALSO – Disneyland is the place where I learned how to use a camera properly …

I’m the kind of person who learns by doing, so one visit a few years ago, I visited the park just with Andrew for the day …. I put my camera on the ‘manual’ setting and just forced myself to learn how to do it.

Perfect situation, really, since it was low-pressure, but still an all day opportunity with tons of different lighting to experiment with (like inside the Haunted Mansion).

Best thing I ever did.

Ever since then, I’ve shot 100% manual (OK, so I use Auto-Focus) and I couldn’t love it more.

Also ever since then, I’ve accumulated a collection of photos from Disneyland that are more than your typical snapshots.

And I LOVE them.

I could decorate a child’s bedroom with some of these … Disney decor? What do you think?

Below is just a small handful from my most recent visit in September 2009.

But between Disneyland and California Adventure, there are so many opportunities to really see the magic and see the details and capture the design/art that are so inherent in these parks.

Sound crazy?

Take a look on your next visit …. challenge yourself to take a couple photos that aren’t snapshots .. you’ll see so much more!

Contact Amy at Teegan Photography | View Amy’s galleries