confused about photographers

[cappygirl]

I've read so many great things about Randy Chapman - but my understanding is that he is NOT a Disney photographer??
Has anyone used a Disney photographer? My wedding planner said she had a few in mind for us but I really like the photos of Randy's that I've seen.
Thanks!!

 

[purplegirl247]

Randy is an outside photographer, NOT a Disney photographer. Disney photographers are included in the intimate/escape weddings (I'm not sure about the custom weddings). One of the reasons people go with outside photographers like Randy (and Missy Misotto, Karla Fountain, Taz, etc.) is that *most* (not all) give you a CD of all your photos, along with a CD so you can print extras off yourself. Disney does not (unless you're an international bride).

I've heard good things about Disney photographers Ty and used Disney photographer Bryan Mazur for our honeymoon shoot. I don't know if you can request photographers or not (you used to not be able to). Whoever you decide, make sure you're clear on what sort of photos you want (candid, posed, artistic, photojournalistic, etc.) and if you get a chance to meet with them in advance, show them examples.

Good luck!

 

[Sparkles9306]

The main reason I picked Randy (besides the fact that I liked his style and photos) is that I wanted to know exactly who was photographing my wedding. I was very uncomfortable with the fact that I couldn't see portfolios of Disney photograpers and get to pick my own.

 

[Perdido]

I had the Disney photographers for my wedding in March and they did a wonderful job. As with any photographer you need to tell them the style of pictures you want. Also, you can request certain photographers for your wedding and DFTW will try to schedule who you would like if possible. I would totally recommend Disney photography!!! They were awesome!

 

[Maggimus]

Randy is amazing-- you can see some of my photos in my TR....

 

[IrishLily]

Is there a reason why you need a Disney photographer? I had worried about whether or not I could still have Randy as my photographer if my reception was in Epcot because they want all vendors to be Disney. However, I called and they said that you can have any photographer you want even if you are in one of the parks. Her reasoning was that a relative of yours could be a photographer and so they couldn't really exclude outside photography. Although why this reasoning doesn't apply to the other vendors I don't know. So, you can still choose Randy since you really like his photos.

 

[cappygirl]

The main reason I picked Randy (besides the fact that I liked his style and photos) is that I wanted to know exactly who was photographing my wedding. I was very uncomfortable with the fact that I couldn't see portfolios of Disney photograpers and get to pick my own.

I guess there's no reason not to use Randy if he's available. All the pictures I've seen are beautiful. I just wanted to know what my options are - but if Disney wont let you see the portfolios how do you know if you want them? Are you just supposed to take Disney's word for it? I trust Disney with a lot but that makes me kind of nervous.
Maybe I'll wait until after the planning session to call Randy.

 

[cappygirl]

Randy is amazing-- you can see some of my photos in my TR....

Maggimus: I stumbled across your TR a while ago and I thought your pictures were amazing! It's one of the reasons that I started thinking about Randy!
It looks like you had such a perfect wedding!!

 

[StitchBride]

Some people go with Disney photography to hit their minimums, which is what we did. You can request a photographer (we requested Paul and got him and he was fantastic!) and they try to honor them (obviously if he's sick or has something else booked, they'll give you someone else. But I liked the idea that no matter what, Disney was going to have a photographer at my event. As for the cd, you don't get it, you can order it for $1,000 or wait 3 years and get it for $99. But you do get 1 4x6 of all your photos and if you want to order extras you can.

 

[Maggimus]

Maggimus: I stumbled across your TR a while ago and I thought your pictures were amazing! It's one of the reasons that I started thinking about Randy!
It looks like you had such a perfect wedding!!

TY! Randy is a great guy... if you need any help or need anything along the way let me know. Happy planning!

 

[cappygirl]

TY! Randy is a great guy... if you need any help or need anything along the way let me know. Happy planning!

Thanks! So far the planning is more stressful than happy. MY df lives in New York and I'm in Maryland so being apart makes it really difficult. (Also both of our moms are heavily involved so that just adds to the stress level!)
I'm just so excited for the day to finally get here! It feels like October is years away...

 

[noochez]

Need some help with Photography!!

For those of you that have used outside photographers, did you have to pay anything extra to Disney? I think I remeber them saying that you may have to pay to have a Disney representative "stop people" while your pictures are being taken in the hotel? Did anyone encounter this problem?

I had just assumed I would use the Disney photographer, however after reading so many of these discussions and then looking at prices, and being able to get a CD with all photos and copyrights!!! I'm seriously considering using an outside photographer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

 

[hiwaygal]

noochez...

While Disneys "official" policy is that outside photographers need an escort, most of the brides who have used outside photographers have not been charged for an escort. I believe it depends a little on the photographer.

Once you have selected a photographer, talk to your EM/WC they will give you some idea if you will get charged the escort fee. And, sometimes, even when they say they will charge it, they don't.

 

[noochez]

hiwaygal,

thank you for the information. Do you know what the cost is for the escort. Did you already have your wedding?

 

[Chantelle]

I inquired about using Randy and we were told by Disney that they do not charge the escort fees to use him because he does so many weddings there.

In the end we went with Disney photography because we were able to count ourselves as an international couple and get the high res CD of images included in our package.

 

[noochez]

If there is anyone that has used Misty, where you charged the escort fee? I have just requested pricing from Randy, how are his prices compared to the Disney Photography package??

 

[imnotaprincess]

I just signed my contract with Misty - and I ran her name by Joe and he said it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[cappygirl]

My DF is Canadian but living in New York right now. I'm an American. Do you think there's any chance we can get ourselves to be considered an international couple?

 

[hiwaygal]

hiwaygal,

thank you for the information. Do you know what the cost is for the escort. Did you already have your wedding?

I think they state a fee of $90 for 3 hours or something like that for the fee...or it could be just a $90 flat fee. I'm not really sure 'cause we used Disney and didn't have that problem.

And yes, my wedding was September 2005

If there is anyone that has used Misty, where you charged the escort fee? I have just requested pricing from Randy, how are his prices compared to the Disney Photography package??

If I remember correctly, Disney photography seems to cost more than most of the outside vendors...but that's kinda the way everything is with Disney, you know?

Truth be told, when all is said and done, I will have paid roughly $325 for my photography by Disney (which, in all honesty is cheaper than almost any package). But, I elected to wait the three years to buy the CD (and copyright). I understand that many brides don't want to wait that long for their reprints and copyrights. I still have the album that Disney provides and I paid in advance for a 4x6 copy of all the proofs (they do not say "proof" on them). I received the album and the proofs about 3 weeks after my wedding and my only regret was not having more photographs taken. I feel as though I got a great deal and beautiful photographs.