This week, Paul Hiffmeyer, 70, retired from Disney after spending 10 years as the official Disneyland photographer.
After serving in the Marines, Hiffmeyer took a job at McDonnell Douglas, but the love of photography that he had as a boy never waned, so he took some classes at Santa Ana College to expand his hobby…and gain access to their darkroom.
Eventually, Hiffmeyer started working as a freelance photographer which led him to some consultant assignments at Disneyland, then the chief photographer position.
Disneyland fans will recognize some of Hiffmeyer’s work, like the picture of the Ear Force One flying over the Grand Canyon during Disneyland’s 50th celebration, but don’t know the photographer that was responsible…or that it took five days in a helicopter to get the perfect shot.
Hiffmeyer’s favorite photo was of the Partners Stature. He was in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle to take a group photo, but the fog rolled in and the photo shoot was put on hold.
Hiffmeyer said that he was looking for something else to shoot while he waited and “it jumped out at me.”
Now that he’s retired, Hiffmeyer said that he is looking forward to traveling and seeing more of the United States, but will miss the daily challenges of taking pictures in Disneyland.
Source: Orange County Register
Photos: Paul Hiffmeyer, Disneyland Resort
