DFTW Photography...use Disney or no?

[Luvndisney]

beautiful pictures ladies. And i do love your pics Maggimus. I dont think they are over exposed at all and he got some awesome images.

I know you never meant ot hurt anyone - there was jsut oe comment that kind of caught me in the moment. You metnioned that randy was "a trillion times better" than disney. That was the onyl thing that upset me, but i am sure you did not mean to offend anyone outright it was just your opinion. NO harm. I jsut wanted to put it out there that in general i think everyone on here needs to be mindful as to what they say about vendors so no one gets hurt. Opinions are good both positive and negative.

 

[WDW72]

The one nice thing with DPS is that there are always two photographers, so they are in two places at one time. Where with Randy is usually shots alone. Just something to think about. When I was looking at the photos albums at Franck's there are a lot of stylistic shots, not just posed.

 

[Luvndisney]

thats true. Also if anyone wants to see my images from DPS - i have over 600. pm me and I will email you a few. I have not really posted that many.

 

[heatherlynn444]

well, I think you are ALL pretty darn lucky b/c I paid 2500 dollars for my photographer (included SOME pictures) for My new orleans wedding, and that is the norm! SO you are all very lucky little brides! so smile!

 

[IrishCinderella]

Hi.

I cannot comment extensively on Randy's work or DPS's work specifically, since I didn't use either. I will say that I never even considered using Disney because at the time I chose my vendors, Disney would not guarantee me any one specific photographer would be photographing my wedding. Since each individual photographer sees things differently and produces a different style photography, it was difficult for me to swallow the fact that I would have no clue what type of photographs I would be receiving. More recently, I have heard that Disney is honoring photographer requests whenever possible, so that is a step in the right direction to becoming more competitive with the outside vendors, including Randy.

However...

I think it's important for all the past brides here to remember that there are plenty of other photographers that do Disney weddings all the time. Some have done nearly as many as Randy. As a newbie on this board, I can only imagine the pressure that one feels to choose Randy, without having seen/explored other vendors. Each photographer produces a radically different product, and I know it can be intimidating to even admit it around here if you don't care for Randy's work. Or even just that you are interested in another photographer.

Basically, while I appreciate that Randy is popular, we should all be reminding new brides that they have many other choices available to them. It can only help them, and it wouldn't hurt Randy's or DPS's business either. Their work should be able to stand the comparison to other vendors. And I for one would be happy to see every bride make a completely informed decision, no matter what that decision is.

 

[PirateBride08]

My wedding isn't for another year however, I am going to go with Randy Chapman for more than one reason.

First...I kinda have a fear of the unknown. With Disney you don't know who your photographer is going to be and there is no way to request someone. I have hear amazing things about Ty (I believe that is his name) but ForKeeps had a down right rude photographer. That is not something I want to deal with on the day of my wedding. All the photos come out gorgeous but I am a people person, they have to be personable in order for me to feel comfortable. I got that right away when I spoke to Randy.

Another reason was the packages that Randy offers and what they include. Having the CD and the copyright to all my photos is a big deal and I don't want to have to pay extra for it. Whether it be $1000 or $300.

When I was in Disney this past December, there were 4 weddings and a desert party that I saw and Randy was at all of them. Busy man!


I am not a photography expert apparently because I didn't notice and overexposure in any pictures that have been posted- Disney or Randy (or any other photographer for that matter) I don't think that any photos will come out bad and any of the prices are WAY less expensive than my hometown. (my brother paid over $3000 for his photographer in Jersey 3 years ago- and they got 1 photo album....no CD)

Now, having said all that.....there are OTHER photographers, not Disney and not Randy that people here on the Dis have used and loved what they received. I know of Taz and there is a Misty and a Karla I believe. I am not completely familiar with them but those are options also.

Good Luck with whatever you decide!

 

[wendy46001]

Just want to add don’t be afraid to ask Disney...or anyone else for samples of their work

I know its not done often...(and i didnt scream honest)..
but we got to pick our disney photographer...I call spoke with photography and stated I would only book someone I was comfortable with and have seen their work…Disney set up a sit down meeting with our photographer before we decided…Turned out to be a great decision for us…

After meeting with him I didn’t bother to look at anyone else….

Also we traded an album for the High Res CD …which worked out great as I only wanted a professional book for us and wanted to make a more personal album for our parents…

Pictures are so very personal and they truly express your day….so go with someone your comfortable with…but ask all vendors directly about options and packages. That way you can make the best choice for yourself

P.S. Rebecca I love your pictures…that blue building makes such a great backdrop

 

[Maggimus]

I agree that others should post their reviews of the other photographers available-- however, I dont know those photographers so I cant give my opinions. Everyone should post who they chose and their experience along with photographic samples. Maybe if I had seen more work I might have chose someone else (highly doubtful though). So if you had a photographer that wasnt Randy or DPS.... I think you should give your review and show your photographs as well.

 

[dizneyfreak]

I would like to thank you all once again for your help. I look forward to viewing all of your photos and ideas. Keep posting...it all helps

 

[curiouser]

I agree that others should post their reviews of the other photographers available-- however, I dont know those photographers so I cant give my opinions. Everyone should post who they chose and their experience along with photographic samples. Maybe if I had seen more work I might have chose someone else (highly doubtful though). So if you had a photographer that wasnt Randy or DPS.... I think you should give your review and show your photographs as well.

That would be a great idea, Maggie!! For us future DFTW brides (hopefully! *taps foot impatiently* ) that would be so helpful!

It would be great to have a sticky thread of not only links to photos but who your photographer was (especially if you use DPS, since they have many photographers). I know for DBf and I, we both agree we'd spend the most $$ to have photos we were absolutely in love with. Its really important to us, so seeing examples here would be great.

 

[DisneyFairy19]

Maggie.. I LOVE your pictures...

 

[Maggimus]

Thanks Christina!!

 

[hmgolden]

The one nice thing with DPS is that there are always two photographers, so they are in two places at one time. Where with Randy is usually shots alone. Just something to think about. When I was looking at the photos albums at Franck's there are a lot of stylistic shots, not just posed.

We used Randy for our wedding - and I can think of a couple moments where having a second shooter would have come in very handy.

I loved working with Randy on our wedding day. He's a great guy, lots of fun and makes you feel completely comfortable in front of the camera. And for a good long while after our wedding, I was very happy with our pictures. Randy was a trooper when it POURED on our dessert party, and managed to capture my favorite images from our wedding inspite of the storm. But as time as gone by, some of the shine has worn off.

We got about 800 pictures from Randy. And we have tons of pictures that I do adore. But, at the same time, we don't have a single shot of DH and I both looking at the camera that's not poorly composed or poorly exposed or both. The best shots of us both looking at the camera our faces are cast in shadow. At the time I didn't really think about it, I was so excited about the sheer number of photos and how many of them did capture "moments" that I will always cherish. But now, when I want to hang one single photo of us happy and smiling in our living room, the pickings are really slim.

Not all photographers fit all and as IrishCinderella said, there are many photographers in the Orlando area who have photographed many Disney weddings.

At the time of our wedding, DPS was getting terrible reviews. I'm really happy to hear how many recent brides are really happy with their work. I think that's a great sign.

In an effort to help the OP and others who are trying to decide on DPS, perhaps some of you who have used DPS recently could post a selection of your photos?

 

[Maggimus]

I would like to note that it has been months since my wedding as well and I can personally say that today I am just as pleased with my photos from Randy as the day I received them. You just need to tell Randy what type of photos that you are looking for. It was obvious to us what we would receive because we posed for nearly every photo no matter what our bodies were doing. Randy is still a big talent if you ask me!

 

[Luvndisney]

i think its a good idea to post samples of images from all of hte photographers....can we start a sticky or just a new thread? How would it be best to organize this?

 

[Fantasia Sam]

i think its a good idea to post samples of images from all of hte photographers....can we start a sticky or just a new thread? How would it be best to organize this?

Funny you should mention that sweetie - we Mods are working on this in the background so should be good for you all to see when we have finished pulling the information together

Just giving another view on the "do I use DPS" debate and as most people have talked about Randy here - I'll shove in my 0.02 cents on him first.

I had Randy - I love him and his wife and have had the pleasure of meeting up with him at other Disney weddings that I have attended and also at other "events" he's a great guy and a fun wedding photographer. We chose him because his style was stable and his price suited us and yeah I'll admit it he was popular too so that helped make the decision. Since our wedding in 2004 I have come across many many other wedding photographers including Disney (we didn't go with Disney back then because of price they weren't as competitive back then AND the unknown). So I've been lucky enough to attend quite a few Disney Weddings and events (thanks again to those that invited me to your events, you know who you are and you're too sweet) where DPS were working and you know what they do such a great job - I love their knowledge on how Disney works - I love the fact that some of them know to the second when an Illumination firework is going to go off to get that prize shot.

Randy took over 2000 pictures at our wedding and I said to him that I only wanted to see what he believed to be the best - and that's what we saw - about 600 pictures. We got our albums and they were very nice but one of the things about Randy is that he isn't a Digital Artist and you know what I'm not much of a photoshop queen myself so I then used another company who took the best of Randy's pictures and cropped them and did some beautiful work with the over and under exposed work and I got a fabarooney album.

I had DPS take our Honeymoon shoot and I loved the photos from that. Then I helped organise a Bridal Breakfast shower where we used DPS and again the guy did a great job.

Like I said would though I've seen a lot more work since then and I think I wouldn't necessarily go with him again. If I had to hit my minimums and I was struggling I think their (DPS) work is more than worthy a consideration.

I love Randy to pieces he worked our wedding great but I do think that there are better Wedding photographers out there who are experienced in shooting Disney weddings. You have to think about what style you are looking for and what suits you...... just because someone says someone is good doesn't necessarily mean another person will think they are good.

Personally I've never looked at another Bride's DPS photos and thought that they did a total bad job - trust me I think I could go to any number of my photos by Randy and pick holes in them but you know what I could do that about quite a few bride's photos by a number of different photographers but I just choose not to do that.

So what's my message here...hmmm..... don't give into Peer Pressure LOL LOL

 

[Maggimus]

IMO no one should feel 'peer pressured' to do anything just because of something someone says on the internet. I agree, choose who you want. I, who am very happy with the work Randy has done for me, will continue to let those new people who are looking into photography know about him. You dont have to use him because I show you my photos or because I tell you how great he did for me (or because a ton of other brides think their photos are amazing too)-- choose who you want. It would be a real shame for someone to make a decision based on what others choose on a message board-- which i doubt happens very often anyway (especially when it comes down to your wedding day). GL with your choices!!

 

[PrincessBride07]

OP. Most people would say that Pictures are the most important thing. At your 50th anniversary, people are going to see and talk about your pictures from the wedding and not what your centerpiece or favors where there. Saying that choosing your photographer is really important.

Things to consider in a Photographer
-do you like their style
-can you get along with them (they might have the best photos in the world but you are disagreeing with them all day it will show in your pics)
-how open are they to suggestions
-will they listen to you when you say you want certain pics and don't want others (same goes with things like black/white, color, or sepia pics)
-are you comfortable with their packages (and are they flexible packages)
-the big one here MONEY. Do you think they are worth their price

The two bad things that I have heard about DPS is the price and not choosing the photographer. Some on here have chosen their Disney photographer, but as most of us know Disney is a case by case basis. The downside of using an outside photographer (Randy or otherwise) is how well they know Disney. Those that have done a bizillion Disney weddings know stuff like the firework shows, and know when, and where, to have those awesome shots.

Finally, when looking at brides and photographers photos, remember it is THEIR favorite photos. You hear that people have 500-1000 photos, and they will post a couple for people to see. Photographers portfolios are what they consider there BEST photos. They may not always shoot your wedding in the style that you see on their website. (A good example is if you look at my engagement photos and the photographers website. www.matthewstarling.com I don't feel his online work is anything like my pics, but I love them anyways.) Fantasia Sam told Randy to send what he considered where the best. She received 600 out of 2000. There are 1400 pics she did not see, which she might have loved. Just my cheap two cents here.

 

[Maggimus]

I agree-- whether my photos are over/under exposed doesnt matter to me-- they are my favorite and the ones i choose to share! I have tons of other photos that arent my favorite but could be yours! So again its hard to judge solely on the samples you see (just as Holly was saying). BTW Holly, I really like your engagement photos.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Fantasia Sam told Randy to send what he considered where the best. She received 600 out of 2000. There are 1400 pics she did not see, which she might have loved. Just my cheap two cents here.

"Best" was perhaps the wrong word - and I was rushing that post so I wasn't making myself so clear on why I asked him that? It wasn't that I wasn't interested in seeing all the shots I just didn't want to see all the mistake shots, i.e. those that were a little blurred or something blocked or someone was picking their nose etc etc etc

You will find that most wedding photographers will not show you every picture that they take - I knew this and was letting Randy know that I did. Alll you ever have to do is take a look at the number of the shot on the back of the photo or on the CD you get and a lot of time you will see that there are gaps and photos are missing. Why on earth would any wedding photographer send you those shots in the first place, right, but I was just making sure that Randy knew that I knew that. At some of the other weddings I have attended I have seen the number on the preview screen of over a 1000 pics that the photographer has taken but the bride has never seen all of those because a good photographer won't bother letting them see those shots.

That's just my thoughts on it - it didn't even cross my mind about pictures I never saw - because I have great pictures!! Three years on people from all over the world still talk about them - how cool is that?