Every day, hundreds if not thousands of photographers walk through the gates of Disneyland with cameras in hand, snapping every conceivable angle of the happiest place on earth. Sometimes, they’re amateurs like myself capturing memories. And other times, they are incredibly talented professionals capturing official photos on behalf of Disney. One of those professional photographers took some of the most famous photos of Walt in his park throughout his career.
Let’s take a peek behind Renie Bardeau’s magical lens.
Source: MiceChat
Renie Bardeau grew up with an interest in photography, taking photos for his high school yearbook and newspaper. He then became an aviation photographer for the US Navy, serving aboard the USS Midway at the end of the Korean War. After his service, he took up a summer job for Disneyland’s photography department while attending college, starting a longtime career at the park.
From the grand opening of Tomorrowland, to celebrity visits, to candid photos of Walt himself, Bardeau captured the spirit of the park in his work. He came chief photographer in 1968, serving in the role for 30 years before retiring in 1998.
The most famous photo in his work is called Footsteps, a black and white image of Walt walking through the castle’s entryway on a quiet morning in 1964. Many people misattribute this image to Walt inspecting the park before opening day in 1955, but it was actually taken nearly a decade later.
Source: OC Register
Another very famous photo from his collection is one of Walt and Mickey on the fire engine. For years, Bardeau referred to it as his “trademark” shot.
Source: Historic Imagery
According to Bardeau’s daughter Debbie, his secret to success was in the spirit he managed to capture:
I think the one thing about my dad’s photographs is he was always able to capture emotion and story. You can look at a photo and see what he was trying to portray. It didn’t take a lot of explanation. I think that was just a gift he had.
In 1999, Bardeau received the park’s highest honor: a window on Main Street. You can find it above Main Street Photo Supply Co., calling him the “magic eye to the world.” Renie Bardeau died in 2021, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and mentorship for fellow photographers, an endless collection of Disney ties, and an incredible collection of photography spanning many decades.
To view more of his collection and read stories from his time at Disneyland, check out this awesome article from the OC Register.
Source: MousePlanet
his photography is stunning. wish more of it was easily accessible. googling his work not a lot comes up.
Completely agree! I wish there were more collections of his work easily accessible. Especially at Disneyland – they could totally have a mini exhibit on his art in the gallery on Main Street.