Disney Photography VS an off property Photographer?

[PrincessBrideKatie]

I have been reading a ton of stuff from people who used off property photographers, but no one has mentioned the quality of Disney's photography. I would like some of the candid shots that the off property photographers get. But it really didn't occur to me to use an off property photographer til I saw the great pics other ones are getting. So definitely if you used disney i would love your opinion, but if anyone has an opinion on the matter... help me out. Please.

Thanks

 

[caryndisneydiva]

I chose randy for my photography. i really liked the fact that he is significantly cheaper than disney photography, we get the copyright to our photos and don't have to pay extra for the cd (so you can go to walmart and develop your pictures) that disney charges so much for and he does disney weddings ALL THE TIME. my WC told me that they LOVE working with randy!!!

 

[BayouPrincess]

Katie,
I can not speak to using Disney Photography, but I can tell you the reason I'm choosing an outside photographer. With Disney, you don't own your pictures, so while you will be able to scan the pictures on a scanner if you have one, you will not be able to have them reprinted. CVS/Walmart/Walgreens will not reprint them. They are copyrighted to Disney. With the photographer I'm using, Misty Miotto, I will recieve a High Res CD will all pictures and the photographers release. With that, I can take my CD to any of the aforementioned places and have prints made, enlarged, etc. The outside photographer I'm using is also much more competitively priced than Disney.

That said, I have seen some very nice Disney photos. I hope you get some more opinions so you can make a decision that works for you.

 

[lurkyloo]

Hi! The main reasons we went with a nonDisney photographer are that we don't care for the style of photos Disney offers - lots of medium shots and posing - and the fact that they charge between $500-$1,000 for the rights to the photos on disc, which completely drove us away. Also, you don't get to pick your Disney photographer - you get whoever they assign you - so you have no idea what their style will be like or whether you will be compatible.

We chose Root Photography because we loved their style, we get two photographers at our wedding, and we own all the pictures on disc. Oh, and we totally hit it off with them at our free engagement portrait session!

 

[hiwaygal]

I used Disney because they came with the package. No extra fees or trying to come up with $500-$600 extra for an outside photographer. I didn't have to worry about coordination and I didn't have to worry if they were available.

I paid $225 upfront for a copy of all my proofs and as part of the package (it has changed since then) I also got a beautiful white leather photo album with (I think) 15 photos in it. At the time, the package also included a low-res CD of all my pics. I was married in 2005, next year (3 years) I can purchase the hi-res CD (and copyright) of my photos for $99. Unless things have changed, if you are a UK bride you will get the hi-res CD as part of your package.

So, all told, I will have spent $325 on my photos. I think Disney did an outstanding job for the price. My only regret was not asking them to take more pics.

Disney photographers are professionals. The quality of their photos are not less than any other professional. However, there may be a difference in style. There are many photographers on staff and they have a variety of styles (from photojournalistic to "posed"). Lately, I have heard that you can request a specific photographer and they will try to honor your request and several brides have been pleased with Ty, although I know there are a few others who's names I have heard.

Regardless of the photographer you choose, it is important that you show them samples of things you like. Make a list of shots you must have, shots you'd like to have, and shots you really don't like. Print out copies of photos you see on the web or cut out ones you see in magazines and show them to your photographer. And be sure to ask any photographer about the copyright issues, make sure that you get a letter or something from them with your CD or you may still have problems getting reprints.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[JandJ]

We were married 2 years ago and we used Disney Photography. I didn't know outside photographers were even an option - and I'm glad I didn't because our pictures are fabulous! I love every single one! We had Ty and he did the traditional posed shots, the family shots, and lots of candid shots. He was wonderful to work with, totally cooperative, and open to our ideas. He took pictures for longer than the 2 hours stated in our Intimate (Escape) contract and would have stayed even longer but I was getting a headache from smiling so much I can't speak to today's cost, since things have changed so much in the last 2 years, but I have zero complaints about our photographer or our pictures - it was perfect!!

 

[Swmhc]

We used Randy for our ceremony based on all the outstanding reviews on this board and don't regret it one bit. We got over 800 pictures, the high res CD and copyright to them. However, we did use DPS for the MK shoot (Ty) and the Honeymoon shoot (Paul) and both were also fabulous. I think DPS may have more options available than are listed on the information sheet, so I would definately call them and tell them what you are wanting and see what they say.

Paul told us that they do their best to honor requests for photographers, first come basis. And both Ty and Paul were open to requests for poses. They like it when you send info ahead of time so they can research it. One example is for our Honeymoon shoot, I had previous photos I had taken at AK when we were there and wanted some of those backgrounds, so Paul looked at my requests and made sure ahead of time where those areas were located to "map out" the photo shoot.

I wish now that I had researched the use of DPS more. But for the ceremony would still have gone with Randy. He is incredible !

 

[mhcueball2]

We chose outside photography since we wanted to know who we were getting, but more importantly...the style we were getting. We wanted a photo-journalistic style, so we looked around and got a photographer that matched our style (Gary Fox - www.gfoxfoto.com )

 

[Kelliex13]

How much extra does disney charge you to bring in an outside photographer? i.e. the escort fee

 

[PrincessBrideKatie]

I think its $100, but I think thats pretty reasonable when you save a fair amount by using an off property photography. It says all the prices of using off property people on the contract, however I have already sent my contract off. So I cannot remember exactly

 

[PrincessBrideKatie]

So, my parents made a copy of the contract to keep with them, and I called my mom and asked about the fees.

They require outside photographers to have a Disney Escort, which costs $90 for the first 3hrs and $35 for each additional hour.

 

[Swmhc]

However, since Randy Chapman does SO MANY weddings, they waive the fee for him. I wasn't charged the escort fee and I don't know of any couple that used Randy was charged. I think as long as you choose someone who knows their way around the Disney weddings, you are okay.

 

[meryll83]

Am I right in thinking that the cost of a Disney photographer / videographer can be used to make up your minimum spend?

In the same vein, does the MK photo shoot count towards this also?

 

[orangetiggs]

I was told it only counts if its the day of your wedding

 

[Maggimus]

I just put my opinion of Randy on another thread. You can see it here
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21522850&postcount=15

 

[PrincessBrideKatie]

I know that the photography and the videography on the day of your wedding counts. However, I was told when I booked my engagement pictures, because they are in the same fiscal year, they will be put on my account... so i think they might count toward the minimum.

 

[lurkyloo]

The MK Photo shoot DOES count toward your minimum, no matter what day you pick. OrangeTiggs, I dunno who told you otherwise, but I confirmed this with three different people at Disney (two in DFTW and 1 in Disney Photography) because I was convinced I had to do it the day of my wedding.

Not so - they completely understand that most people are not going to be able to get up at 4 am on their wedding day for the shoot, so they let you schedule it for any day of your trip and have it count toward your minimum. I asked them twice to confirm this because I am all about meeting my minimums....

 

[orangetiggs]

Ah I was told by Heidi that cos we didnt want to do it on the day of the wedding it wont count!!

I'm going to email my planner now and see as we have just booked it for 2 days after the wedding, thanks for the info I will confirm it now

 

[17march2005]

We did the MK photo shoot 3 days after our wedding and it counted for the minimums. We also used Randy for our photographer and we were charged the escort fee. (just 3 hrs) Please understand just because you use the same photographer as another couple does not mean you will get the same quality or quantity of photos. Some couples have went with a particular photographer because of the great reviews and seeing the pictures online. You really need to ask for an example of the complete wedding day coverage of several of the photographers clients. Also ask what are the typical special shots or signature shots. Please do plenty of research to make sure you will be happy with the results.