disney escape photography

[kkfl2m]

Hi Everyone!

I am considering hiring Randy Chapman for our wedding, but don't necessarily want to hire someone outside if it is already included in the package.

I saw on the PassPorter guide to Disney weddings that you can add on additional hours of Disney photography for $200/hr which seems kind of steep. Would the photographers take getting ready shots and resort shots during those extra hours, or are they limited to shooting only ceremony/receptions for Escape couples?

My dream wedding album (to be DIY'd using the archival disc) would include getting ready shots of the guys & gals, first look photos around boardwalk, the ceremony, cake cutting reception, and a few at dinner (to get shots of the restaurant, decorations, favors, etc). I also plan to add on for our DP and MK shoot, and possibly a honeymoon session.

Thoughts are appreciated!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Hi sweetie - I am sure there will be plenty of 'Escape' brides along to answer your questions about what shots they got in from the photographer included in their package.
The main reason that many 'Escape' brides hire an extra 'outside' photographer (such as Randy), is not so much a question of quantity as much as quality. Many girls feel that the work of DPS is, at best, inconsistant, with the resulting photographs ranging from the stunning to the darn right awful. With DPS there is no way to guarantee any particular photographer, and as you have already noted, the upgrades and add ons are expensive. There are numerous debates on these boards about outside photographers verses DPS and I am sure you will get lots of different points of view!!!
Oh and by the way, IMHO, you cannot go wrong with the wonderful Mr Chapman Good luck with your decision!!

 

[TabZ]

I may be wrong but with the new Escape package if you are hiring an outside photographer they won't send a DPS photographer to your ceremony, but you can use it for a DP or portrait shoot around a resort?

Perhaps you could hire Randy for your ceremony, then have DPS at your DP? I believe Randy will do the getting ready bits for you, and having seen some of his shots I hope he's still around when I am wishing for my Escape wedding in 2014!

 

[Disney-Chick]

I was an escape bride and only used DP. I had Mike who was great. He was very friendly and we actually paid extra to have resort pictures done at the AKL. We had Mike up steps down steps, all over taking shots. I know that some extra's are expensive but I had an option to have Mickey at the wedding & I thought that was to expensive so I thought why not use the money for something that will last longer. Best decision ever!

 

[geek+nerd]

We had a disastrous experience with Mike, and are so glad that we hired Randy Chapman as an outside photographer. It was by far the best suggestion we got off this board. Our pictures by Randy are gorgeous and well worth the cost. We had 4 hours of photography with him, purchased the discs only and received over 2000 pictures on those disks.

I wish that we would have had the option of not using DPS at all or having them at our DP instead. However, back in June, that was not an option.

 

[weedee]

I agree that the price for extra hours of Disney photographer is steep, and this probably is another reason why couples choose to hire an outside photographer. We hired an outside photographer for 5 hours, but were able to keep our Escape photographer (can't remember who it was). I hated our DPS photos so I was glad to have our outside photography photos. We were still able to get the wedding album from Disney with DPS photos though...so for us it was sort of win-win going with an outside photographer. I think if you're going to spend the extra money anyway for extra time with a photographer, you might as well choose someone you really love rather than only being able to recommend which photographer you want if you go with DPS.

 

[lurkyloo]

I may be wrong but with the new Escape package if you are hiring an outside photographer they won't send a DPS photographer to your ceremony, but you can use it for a DP or portrait shoot around a resort?

This is correct.

 

[tinkandonaldfans]

I have just come back from our wedding and we had the escape package and used DPS. We had ty who was great! I initially asked for an extra hour as I thought I wouldn't get the shots I wanted. But in the end we didn't need the extra hour as he was able to fit in lots of great shots. I think the quality was fantastic. If you want I can send you the link for our photos to give you an idea of what you get?

 

[leonix8238]

If you book an outside photographer you do tend to get more photographs and a more accessible package for the price, especially if you want to print your own photographs.

I highly recommend Randy and his prices are very reasonable.