What Marathonfoto has told us: Just in time for Disney Princess Races!

What's the deal with Marathonfoto?  We've talked and they've listened!



As you are running along a Run Disney course, you will see photographers in bright yellowish vest taking pictures. Try to smile as you go past ( or at least try not to look completely exhausted) because these will be your official race pictures.

Marathonfoto is the official race photographer for many larger races. I'm always getting e-mails to buy my official race pictures, and I never do because quite honestly they are a bit expensive and the real reason is there are usually no pictures of me. I don't mean there are no "good pictures" I mean I must not be photogenic or I must escape the photographers because they always seem to miss me! 
That was until last year at the Disney's Royal Family 5K. I actually had some pictures so I bought the official download ( and I got a $20 Shutterfly card for free). But here was the problem, I was running with my family, and I wanted pictures of them too, not just of myself.
 I thought, there has got to be a better way of purchasing race pictures that doesn't break the bank. (Especially when you are running with your family) Can you imagine the cost for a family running the 5K with 3 little kids? They would have to buy 3 photo packages! ( Last year they were around $50 for the complete download for ONE runner)

This was my thought: If someone purchases the complete download, they should be able to add  (lets say 5) additional pictures to their account. That means if you are running with your family, you could buy your own race pictures, and then add in a few from your spouse's account or your child's account ( if he/she is running the 5k with you).  Wouldn't that be nice? ( of course if all of you are in the same shot, than that picture will go into each person's account that is present).

Fortunately for me, I talked to the Marathonfoto people and I was able to add a picture of my dad crossing the finish line to my account.


So after talking with them about photos for the 2014 Princess weekend here is the deal!

1. If you are signed up for the PHM weekend of races, you will get an email (around Feb 7-10) with a coupon offer. You will have to buy the coupon for $65 but it will be worth $100. This $100 can go towards any Marathonfoto purchase for that event.

2. If you are running the Glass Slipper Challenge ( 10K and Half). You have the opportunity to purchase a picture download package.  I was told by a Marathonfoto rep that this would be the same as what they did for the Dopey Challenge and that the price would be $114 without video and $134 with video.  I did remind the rep that the Glass Slipper Challenge is only 2 event and not 4 (like the Dopey) and wondered if the price would be less. He said  that he would imagine it might be, but didn't know for sure. I'm thinking the rep was including pics from the entire race weekend (including the 5K but then again, that's only 3 races not 4). I will update you all when there is more clear information on this!

3. If you are not participating in all 3 events, you can buy your 5K, 10K, or half picture packages separately. The price that was quoted to me was "about $60".


4.  Your race pictures will be available 42-72 hours after each event. (But you'll want to check back in a couple of days because usually there are more pictures to be entered).

5. You can certainly purchase a single picture download ($24.95). But for the price, you might as well buy all of the entire download for $60!

6. You can also buy the actual photo which will be mailed to you (starting at $14.95 for 5x7 and $20.95 for 8x10).

* Reminder: These are not Disney photo pass photographers. Any pictures/picture downloads that you purchase in the park are completely separate.

HINTS: Unless you REALLY have to have those photos right away, I wouldn't be so eager to buy them right away. I usually get e-mails a few weeks/month later offering me discounts if I want to purchase my pictures ( especially when a holiday comes up).

If you do decided to buy the complete picture download, don't be afraid to ask them to add a picture (or two) of another family member who was also running with you. They will work with you on this!

That about sums it up. Of course the best bet is to always bring your own camera with you on the course!

Do you have any other questions about race photos? What's your best tip on getting good race photos?

If you'd like more information on Character photo stops during the Half Marathon, Check out Julie's Post on Character photos at Run Walk Fast Pass Repeat!


Did you remember to enter our Yoga Gear Giveaway?

51 comments:

  1. Thanks for the info! I'm a bit confused though...so we'll get an offer for a 65$ coupon that covers $100? Will that cover a download of all my photos? Then you mentioned $60 for the download, so I got confused. I'm a photographer, so $60-$65 for all my race photos sounds completely reasonable to me (unless they end up getting none, that would suck) and I KNOW I won't wait it out months afterwards, I'll want them right away. What do you think I should do? (this is PHM only)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen, if you are just running PHM, I would just purchase the download for that race for $60. That would include all the race pictures from that race. There will also be character photos before and after the race that will be included so if you are patient enough, i'd wait in line!

      Delete
    2. Oh good! So will they send an offer for this before as well or is the $60 download just what they generally charge after the race? How's your pain today?

      Delete
    3. Since the single race download is only $60, there would be no reason for you to buy the $100 coupon for $65. Unless of course you want to purchase commemorative items like plaques and stuff in addition to your download. Pain is getting better. Thanks for asking. ( instead of feeling so tight, I just feel sore and bruised) I go back to the dr tomorrow! How are you feeling?

      Delete
    4. Fairly good. I'm doing a lot of foam rolling and even using a TENS unit on my quads. Yesterday I had to walk a dog a little under 2 miles and there was no pain walking so I did some intervals at a slow pace and no pain, just a little stiffness! Not sure it would stay that way for 13 miles, but we're going to find out in a little over 3 weeks!

      Delete
  2. Good information, and that is so nice of you to take the time to gather all the info! I've never bought any of the professional photos due to the fact that I just can't get over how expensive it is.... if they took good photos then I would be more willing, but they always manage to find my worst angles LOL my little point-and-shoot even seems to take better pictures sometimes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand! And lots of times all the pictures look the same. Not a lot of variety!

      Delete
  3. I was still getting promos for my Eugene half photos into December. I just don't buy them because I'm so focused on the race, I never see the cameras. I don't look good on the course and I've accepted that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, I am still getting e-mails about a race I ran in June of 2013!

      Delete
  4. This is such useful information, thanks! I didn't realize there were photos after and before the race that could be included.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are usually Character photos before the races but the line are SO SO long. It is said that they will be there after the race too, but I can't confirm that as I never hung out long enough after a race to see if they were still there!

      Delete
    2. Chaiali I asked for several before and after the race in case there were no good ones during. I ended up with 55 photos! Most good and very worht the price at about $1 each :)

      Maryalicia

      Delete
  5. Definitely something to look into! Thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No problem. I hope it helps some people that were confused on how the picture process worked.

      Delete
  6. Thank you for the information. I just received an email from them about my pictures from the Royal 5k last year.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What I found very odd with MarathonFoto from Marathon weekend was that many of my husband's photos were never loaded to his account, but they appeared in mine. Since he did Dopey and I did the 10k and half, we wanted to take advantage of their Dopey package and pay once for all photos. After many attempts to contact MarathonFoto, they finally responded when I tagged them on Twitter (they responded quickly probably because they didn't want negative publicity on Social Media), and they finally added the missing photos to my husband's account. I'm glad it finally worked out, but I guess you have to be patient and persistent when dealing with their Customer Service.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love that marathonfoto is pretty accommodating when you talk to them. Thanks for the tips!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great info. I have never bought a race photo because I just can't even look good in one, no matter how hard I try!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm always on the lookout for the photographers so I don't appear to be in pain or agony. I think if there is a decent pic of me from this week 1/2 (and I think it's the same company) then it would be hard NOT to buy one. Kind of once in a lifetime for me...maybe. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a good idea. I never EVER take a good race picture... except one where my head is down & my face is covered with my hat :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you for the information. I am actually doing the 5k plus GSC so may actually look into the package. I appreciate the breakdown!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I want to test my understanding, cause this seems kind of complicated (thanks for trying to spell it out!)
    I'm doing the 5k and the half, so those would be $60 each for the full downloads, which would be $120 total, but I can get the $100 coupon for $65, so I can essentially get both race's pictures for $85 (the coupon plus an extra $20)?
    This is my first runDisney race, so I've never used MarathonFoto before...when I see you guys talk about "adding" photos to your account, is that like finding the ones where maybe your bib number is obscured?
    My mom is doing the 5k with me, but we're sticking together (walking it), so we should both be in all the same photos for that one, and hopefully wouldn't need to buy another package for her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Erika, Yes. it sounds like you are understanding it correctly. I can not be sure that you will receive the $20 Shutterfly card. That is just what I received at the time when I purchased mine last year ( maybe it was a special promotion, I don't know).

      The add on would be if you bought all the pictures in your account, and then your mom had a great one of just herself then you could ask Marathonfoto if they would add that one pic of your mom to your account. Since you are running with her, that might not be a problem.
      They usually do have a link of "unclaimed" photos. These are photos of people where their bib numbers are not clear. I'm not sure what the protocol is on this. If you spot yourself, then I'm pretty sure they would just add that pic to your account.

      Delete
  14. Great Info! Yeah, the GSC package needs to be a little bit less - I want it all! Thanks for posting this..super helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for sharing the info! I've been really frustrated with MarathonFoto lately (missing photos, not responding to my e-mails re: technical issues on the website, etc.) so this is good to hear. Glad they're listening! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great info,. I bought the coupon for our Dopey photos and since Christine is in almost every one of mine, we are set. :) Helps to run close together especially when you see the photographers!

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is really helpful! Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  18. Excellent information! I really wish I was heading back down to Florida with you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is really helpful! Can't wait--only a few more weeks!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Marathonfoto is super expensive! I have bought a couple of packages in my 5 years of running and every time I do I'm shocked at the price :S The bright side would be that I have printed some of them and framed them, which I love to look at to remind myself what I can do. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you for the info. Now if only my pics would turn out okay I'd be set!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm on the phone with Marathonfoto right now and she said she has never heard of them moving pictures into another person's account and that she will not do it. Was there someone else that I should talk to about this? All I asked was that my running partner's finisher picture be moved over.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Moving pictures from one person's account to another is not exactly their policy ( they don't have to do it). But so far I have been fortunate enough to talk to reps who have done it for me and the last one I talked to this week said it's not uncommon for them to do that. So sorry you got a grumpy lady on the phone. I'd call back another day and hope someone else answers. Good luck!

      Delete
    2. Also, I was thinking this: They may be more open to the idea if you are adding pictures of your family. They really have no way of knowing that you know that other runner. Just a thought.

      Delete
    3. The way to ask is to say that your account is missing some photos and let them know the photo numbers. At tinkerbell I had many 'stock' photos added to my account. they take hundreds, but only add about 10-12, so if I see a stock photos with a character I liked, I had them add it, and any missing photos, or partial photos of me. Good Luck!

      Maryalicia

      Delete
  23. Thanks for the info- So excited for the GSC!!!

    Here are tips on how to make yourself get seen and look good!
    http://blog.oregonlive.com/runoregon/2013/01/tips_for_getting_great_race_da.html

    Maryalicia

    ReplyDelete
  24. What about the character stops? Are these Marathon photo pictures? Or disney photopass pictures?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Character stops before and after the race ( in the staging areas) and along the race course will be from Marathonfoto!

      Delete
    2. Yes, but not all Character stops have the Marathonfoto guys - so bring camera just in case (example never seen one with MAry Poppins- seems to be more popular Character stops).

      Maryalicia

      Delete
  25. I'll keep my eyes open for the discount coupon. I was kicking myself for not buying it for marathon weekend this year - it was the first time I had a lot of photos that I actually liked!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I got the discount coupon for the Tink10k and it was great. I'm really hoping the GSC package is reasonably priced (well, as reasonably priced as marathonfoto gets) and that I get some good photos. My castle pic from last year is not flattering because of the angle (the photogs were sitting on the ground and shooting up at an angle) somebody get them a stool this year to sit on!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hahah a stool! They need one! I am planning on going slow and watching for them. I will be on left to hopefully get a great shot! I did not even get one at tink because I missed them and there was no going back.

      Maryalicia

      Delete
  27. Very excited for this! Looking and stalking email for my coupons! I purchased last years tink and I hear this year is better. I was able to get photos before, during, and after and had over 60 photos, and most great. I was also able to call them and have photos added to my originals of missing ones and stock photos. So I WILL be getting whatever this deal is just to save some money.

    Also a link to getting great race day photos here:

    http://runoregonblog.com/2014/02/06/16-tips-for-getting-great-race-day-photos-that-make-you-look-great-revised/

    Maryalicia

    ReplyDelete
  28. I loved your tips and will remember them for next time - I found that there were no flattering pics of me during the race ;-) but I bought them anyway because it was my first runDisney Race

    ReplyDelete
  29. Persistence pays off! I never seem to have many photos of me either Meranda; I think my costumes don't stand out. (Or maybe it's my running style!) I'm waiting for that one perfect picture, and then I'll spring for it. (BUT- I'll wait for the discount offer to come via e-mail. :D) Thanks so much for the tips- we're so grateful that you joined the hop again!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. My hubby and I ran the wine and dine this past year and the marathon photo people would not allow me to add photos from both of our "accounts" to my purchase. They insisted I had to purchase 2 separate packages, one for him, one for me. Since I only had 2 photos of myself I wanted I wouldn't spend the money. Their loss I suppose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's awful! They should have added just two of your pics to your husband's account. Although it is not their policy, they will often do that ( I was told). I guess it just depends on which customer service rep you get on the phone!

      Delete