Disney Photography Police Change

[Thumper's Tara]

Greetings! I know I am not a big poster on the DIS boards, but I was a Disney bride in January. I wanted to share a change in policy I just learned about that upsets me.

A couple of days ago, I was talking with Randy Chapman (finally getting around to ordering my wedding photos). He mentioned that Disney had changed its policy regarding outside photographers. For contracts signed after October 1, 2008, outside photographers will no longer be allowed to shoot In-Park wedding events.

This policy distresses me greatly. Not only is Randy Chapman an incredible photographer, he saved my dessert party from being a total loss. Randy mentioned that 25% of his business comes from Disney Brides. I shudder to think that future brides will not be allowed to use Randy (or any other external photographer) for their In-Park Events.

Personallly, I will be sending a letter to Jay Rasulo, Chairman of Walt DIsney Parks and Resorts. I am also planning on sending a copy to Jeff Ralls, Director of Wedding Sales. I am including a copy of my letter below.

I am not sure if everyone else feels as strongly as I do, but I thought I would let everyone know. If enough brides, past and future, contact Disney, maybe they will change their policy. If you would like to write a letter, here are the addresses for Jay Rasulo and Jeffrey Ralls:

Mr. Jay Rasulo
Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
The Walt Disney Company
1675 N Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Mr. Jeffrey J. Ralls
Wedding Sales Director
Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings
PO Box 10,000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Thanks everyone!
Tara

Please feel free to use my letter as a starting point!

Friday, June 27, 2008

Mr. Jay Rasulo
Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
The Walt Disney Company
1675 N Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Dear Mr. Rasulo:

I am writing this letter to express my dismay at learning about a recent Disney Fairy Tale Wedding policy change. It has come to my attention that Disney will no longer allow non-Disney photographers to photograph In-Park wedding events. As a Disney bride, Disney Vacation Club Member, stockholder and Annual Pass Member, I was deeply saddened to learn about this change.

If this new policy had been in effect for my wedding, then our dessert party would have been a complete disaster. The night of our wedding a huge storm front caused our dessert party to be moved indoors; however, we were promised that we would still be able to view Illuminations from our original location. My one wedding dream was a picture of my husband and I, in our wedding finery, during Illuminations.

Unfortunately, our Epcot Event Manager did not attend our event and the Cast Members hosting our event were unable to cope with the various problems that occurred. I truly believed my wedding dream was ruined. Thankfully, our non-Disney photographer, Randy Chapman, saved the day. He managed our event and helped us make it to our outdoor location before the end of Illuminations. With Randy’s quick-thinking, we were able to get our Illuminations photographs. My wedding dream was saved.

Ideally, I would like to see the new policy removed. Personally, I do not believe that Disney’s photographers have the expertise to capture an once-in-a-lifetime Fairy Tale Wedding. I believe that Disney’s strengths lay in organizing wonderful wedding events and providing magical moments. I truly wish that Disney will revoke the policy and stick with what it does best.

However, if Disney is unwilling to change this policy, I hope that an exception can be made for Randy Chapman. Randy has been photographing Disney Weddings since 1996 and truly captures the magic of a Disney Wedding. His photographs inspired me to have a Disney Fairy Tale Wedding. In fact, my friends and family all say that his photos of our day are a perfect advertisement for Disney Fairy Tale Weddings.

In summary, I implore you to reverse this policy. The new policy has my rethinking hosting other In-Park events. As a DVC member, I was looking forward to hosting many events in the future.

If I can provide any further information or insight, please feel free to contact me at ... or by email at ...

Sincerely,
Thumper's Tara
Disney Fairy Tale Bride
January 19, 2008

enclosed: Wedding Photo

cc: Jeffrey J. Ralls
Randy Chapman

 

[alissa2008]

this news caused a big debacle on the boards a couple weeks ago -- thanks for the letter info - I may just write them!! couldn't hurt!!

 

[alissa2008]

woah - is the DIS posting backwards now? Or am I technotarded and flubbed a setting someplace -- -- it showed my post first, then the original.... weird....

 

[Cosi Bella]

It is a shame that they are now enforcing it! There are a lot of really talented photographers out there that do amazing things; and with the gorgeous backdrops that places like Epcot have to offer... its a shame they wont be able to anymore!

 

[shaylih]

Tara - Great letter. This is going to sound weird, but I saw your wedding, mine was the next day. I was getting my nails done and at the Yacht Club and walked right past your reception at Ariels. You looked beautiful! I even saw Randy on the way over to my welcome party on the way to your dessert party and we reconfirmed our plans for the next day. I truely felt for you that night because I remember how horrible that storm was.

I really hope they do make an exception for Randy. He was beyond amazing and definitely knew as much if not more than my planner. He went well above and beyond his duties that day and even helped my dad get into his tux. I will always remember Randy as an important part of my wedding.

 

[Thumper's Tara]

Tara - Great letter. This is going to sound weird, but I saw your wedding, mine was the next day. I was getting my nails done and at the Yacht Club and walked right past your reception at Ariels. You looked beautiful! I even saw Randy on the way over to my welcome party on the way to your dessert party and we reconfirmed our plans for the next day. I truely felt for you that night because I remember how horrible that storm was.

I really hope they do make an exception for Randy. He was beyond amazing and definitely knew as much if not more than my planner. He went well above and beyond his duties that day and even helped my dad get into his tux. I will always remember Randy as an important part of my wedding.

That is too cool!

The storm was horrible! Combine the horrible storm with all the things that went wrong and it was almost a complete nightmare. one of the buses disappeared (with my family on it) - it took them 30 minutes to load my mom and then 20 minutes to go from the BWI to Epcot. Then, we had no Event Manager and so no one knew what they were doing. We almost missed our chance at photos. Randy stepped up and personally drove us from China to France so that we could get our photos. I was almost crying by the time we got there. Thankfully, Randy got our photos. He then called DFTW the next day and told them how badly our dessert party had been messed up. He saved the day.

I figured the least I could do is write a letter!

 

[Thumper's Tara]

this news caused a big debacle on the boards a couple weeks ago -- thanks for the letter info - I may just write them!! couldn't hurt!!

Ahhh...I wondered. I tried to search for it, but couldn't find it. I don't read DIS as much as I used to (it is blocked at work).

Please do write the letters. The more people who write, the more likely Disney is to listen.

 

[Lorelei528]

deleted...

 

[JonetteA]

I know that this is hard for Randy and the other outside photographers that do Disney Weddings. I encourage you to write a letter, but since this decision was made at the highest levels and brings the business units (conventions, and DFTW) under the same rules and guidelines, I fear that nothing will change. This same logic goes with floral. It was a business decision that I don't think will be changed easily, if at all. The best idea if you want to use outside photography vendors is to think in other ways that you could use them. Like trash the dress, honeymoon shoot, etc. There are so many creative ways around the situation for the brides and for the outside photographers.

 

[DecemberBride]

Yes, creative thinking always helps!

 

[JonetteA]

December Bride I would be interested to know what your idea was!

 

[breathinforluck]

I hope the letters help.

Personally after looking at everyones pictures, I think the outside photographers are a lot more creative than the one Disney gives you. It would be a shame if you couldn't have someone a bit more creative for your big day.

 

[DecemberBride]

December Bride I would be interested to know what your idea was!

hey, I'm just here to help fellow brides and I was just agreeing on the fact that creative thinking is a swell idea!

 

[bestla]

Just wanted to chime in and say I think the letter you wrote is awesome!

I have to respectfully disagree with Jonette. While it may not be an easy or quick change, I think if enough people wrote letters like yours--change may come!! With all of the disappointment I've read about concerning Disney photography, I honestly think this new policy may result in losing some clients! With all the money Disney makes on DFTWs...a whole bunch of PO'd brides could have a pretty big impact. Although maybe that is my perpetual optimism talking... Regardless of what happens, thanks for sending that letter!! I don't think people do that type of thing nearly enough.

 

[DecemberBride]

Just wanted to chime in and say I think the letter you wrote is awesome!

I have to respectfully disagree with Jonette. While it may not be an easy or quick change, I think if enough people wrote letters like yours--change may come!! With all of the disappointment I've read about concerning Disney photography, I honestly think this new policy may result in losing some clients! With all the money Disney makes on DFTWs...a whole bunch of PO'd brides could have a pretty big impact. Although maybe that is my perpetual optimism talking... Regardless of what happens, thanks for sending that letter!! I don't think people do that type of thing nearly enough.

It's true, we're encouraged everyday to write to our local governments for a change we want to see... I would hope it has some impact... I'd hate to think I write for nothing....

 

[Lynn5700]

Tara,don't you love Randy!!!! I hope you hear back from them..let us know what they say,please

 

[StitchBride]

I like your letter and I agree that it may help them if they see alot of people disagree with this policy change but I think a blanket statement of "Personally, I do not believe that Disney’s photographers have the expertise to capture an once-in-a-lifetime Fairy Tale Wedding." is just going to serve to irritate them further, not to mention isn't accurate. I think of anyone who shoots Disney weddings, they're going to have the best expertise as to whats going on, what should be happening, etc. We used a Disney photographer and I loved my pictures but I do think that if this policy is going to change that the people they employ should all be fantastic and you should get to see their work ahead of time and pick the one that works for you and I think including that in any letter could only help future brides.

Just my two cents.

 

[BriarRose410]

This is such sad news.

 

[Thumper's Tara]

I like your letter and I agree that it may help them if they see alot of people disagree with this policy change but I think a blanket statement of "Personally, I do not believe that Disney’s photographers have the expertise to capture an once-in-a-lifetime Fairy Tale Wedding." is just going to serve to irritate them further, not to mention isn't accurate. I think of anyone who shoots Disney weddings, they're going to have the best expertise as to whats going on, what should be happening, etc. We used a Disney photographer and I loved my pictures but I do think that if this policy is going to change that the people they employ should all be fantastic and you should get to see their work ahead of time and pick the one that works for you and I think including that in any letter could only help future brides.

Just my two cents.

I think you have a fair point and you lucked out to have a great Disney photographer. I am very happy for you! However, I have a hard time believing that Disney is going to be able to maintain a fleet of high caliber photographers they will need to adequately enforce this policy. Most high quality, experienced photographers are going to make more money by having their own studio.

From what I have seen, I have not been impressed with Disney wedding photography and from my perspective believe my statement is accurate. Combine this with Disney's inability and unwillingness to guarantee a particular photographer for a wedding (as I understand it, you can currently request a photographer, but they won't guarantee you will actually have that person shooting your wedding), I think that this policy is very unfair to brides.

Finally, I think the statement that a Disney photographer will know more about what is going on can be inaccurate as well. My personal experience is that Randy has been doing weddings at Disney longer than most Wedding Coordinators. In addition, my experience at my dessert party proved to me that Disney employees may not actually have a clue as to what is supposed to happen when. Again, this is just my experience and I am basing my letter on that.

Again, I am so glad that your photos turned out fabulously. Hearing that, I feel slightly better about the policy change, but I am still not convinced that Disney's photographers are suited for the job.

Cheers,
Tara

 

[buzzbuzz]

Hiya

I have to agree with Thumper's Tara about the above comment. My dessert party was almost ruined also. I'd booked Randy and Stan to cover the dessert party but because of the chance of rain it was moved indoors and we stayed at our reception venue, Randy and Stan were not informed of this and spent half an hour waiting for us to arrive. The staff that were with us didn't even move us to the location at the right time. We ended up running through Epcot to get to the location before the fireworks started and then to make matters worse the transportation that we had booked after it turned up early so we were moved off straight away.
Needless to say I was not happy about the situtation and I'm still taking it up with DFTW. I couldn't understand why someone woudn't stick to a plan when it was written down for them and I'd spent the previous 12 months planning it to perfection.

Sorry to go off topic but there was a point. Sometimes Disney do let you down and things don't go to plan. I couldn't even begin to think about how I would feel if something was to go wrong with the photo's. At least you don't have that worry with Randy... He is fab!