Help me with my Photography decision please!

[mermaidbride1108]

Ok so I've been contacting photgraphers & videographer based on reviews of this board. I am going down in September for the site visit and wanted to meet with a few different ones to discuss our options and see their personalities

So far my choices are Randy & Misty. And I wanted to keep looking for more. I was interested in the Roots because I loved lurkyloo's pics and their style too. But DF nixed them as a choice because they haven't done many Disney Weddings (which they will probably do many more by the time of our wedding and very well so it was my fault I gave DF a vote.)

So I recieved responses from both and do like them both, but leaning towards Randy. I just like the more natural look of his pics. they look artistic without alot of added effects. If that makes sense to anyone! I think Misty's are a little too added effects for me. I like them alot and seen some really, really awesome shots, but I guess not what I'm leaning towards.

Now here's the point of this long post. I wanted to meet with Photographers when I go down in September but now I'm worried that a year out I may lose Randy and I already see Randy is so easy to work with! He's already got our wedding schedule mapped out already based on what I told him the options I wanted! he's like that good!

One last note about me is I am such a planner and would like as many things done ASAP rather than wait and then have to do alot in a little time. So should I wait to book and go 'shopping' I guess for Photographers when I'm done their or just stick to my gut and pay a deposit with Randy, the one DF and I both like?

HELP!!! I need your opinions!

 

[hope1826]

It sounds like you've selected Randy!! If you and your DF are both impressed by him and his work, why keep looking? Randy, Misty and Roots are the three best non-Disney photographers I have seen on these boards, so why not book Randy. Have you looked at pics on their websites too?

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

I know it sounds silly - but honestly, just go with your heart on this one! No matter which you choose it'll be wonderful!

 

[lpizzuro123]

I feel the same way you do. I love the work of both Misty and Randy but think I am leaning more toward Randy as he does use some special effects but Misty seems to use more. I am a more traditionalist and want alot of posed pictures and table pictures.

We are getting married in November of this year and we are planning on going down to Florida in June for a planning visit. I really want to see some actual books - not just pictures - from both Disney and Randy. I want to see what the book itself looks and feels like. Unfortunately, if we want until then I am sure Randy will be booked.

Please let us know what you decide and if you have any insites to the actual books.

Linda

 

[lurkyloo]

Personally, I think the fact that the Roots haven't done as many Disney weddings is a bonus - it keeps things fresh and inspired!

 

[mermaidbride1108]

Personally, I think the fact that the Roots haven't done as many Disney weddings is a bonus - it keeps things fresh and inspired!

Personally Lurky I agree with you, but since DF doesn't. He's He really wants to be involved in this decision, Roots got cut because they only had one vote from me versus Randy & Misty over two votes from both of us - I'm hoping that makes sense.

I liked their unusal shots that they have. But since it's HIS wedding too, I guess he has to have a say.

Since we have two other photographers I liked, I decided hold off my stamp my foot routine so I get my way for a later subject in the wedding.

 

[LauraInWonderland]

Im in the same boat as you. Df and i keep going back and forth on photographers. I love Randys work and Eric dean and.. well.. just about every photographer ive seem on here! lol
They all have diffrent, great styles.. i just wish i could combined a few of them!
Heres a link to a Disney wedding that eric dean shot..

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=3309266

He showed me this along with one of his books in person.. He was a really nice guy with reasonable prices.

Still though... theres something about randy!!

 

[caryndisneydiva]

Personally, I think the fact that the Roots haven't done as many Disney weddings is a bonus - it keeps things fresh and inspired!

this is one of the reasons i chose my videographer. i knew she wouldn't be in a "disney rut."

 

[OceanGdss]

If it helps any, DF and I both chose Randy without ever meeting him in person. We put a deposit down after 2 phone conversations and have never regretted it. He does book up VERY fast! I booked him June '07 for our Dec '08 wedding and he already had dates booked for that month other than mine! If you know in your heart, then just do it. The first time we met Randy in person was for our engagement session. The minute he showed up I was thrilled with our decision. He KNOWS what he is doing. I'm a nervous-nilly with new people (slight pinch of social anxiety) but didn't feel that a bit with Randy!!

Funny note: during our engagement shoot Randy asked us to hold hands for a photo...DF and I kind of looked at each other and were like "uh...we've never actually held hands" lol. So Randy takes a few snaps and is like "uh..ok..lets try something else" yet somehow..those few pics STILL came out looking natural

 

[Keira1387]

I booked Randy after a 20 minute conversation. He did our e-pics in November He is amazing! I was really worried that the pics were going to look posed,(I don't think were photogenic) but everything looks so natural! I don't think that you can go wrong with him.

 

[mermaidbride1108]

I hate perfectly posed pics, I love what I call the 'looking at eachother pics' Like in my engagement report. And randy can kinda do both so my mom is pleased as well So I'm pretty sure we are going to boom Randy now.. Just got to get DF final approval. I just really like to get things done and out of the way. One less thing to do YAY

Thans for all of your replies. I think I'm going to go with my gut feeling on this!

 

[roseviolet]

I think we are getting ready to book Misty. We thought her pictures were beautiful and interesting. We also liked how upfront she was about pricing. I talked to her for about 45 minutes last night and she was fantastic. She walked me through every step of the day. I was very impressed.

 

[happylalagirl]

HI there. I just read your initial post and I can't say enough wonderful things about Randy for photography and Stan from STVS for video!!! Our video was on STan's website for a while. I don't know if we're still on there, but we are soooooooooooooooooo happy with our video. Stan was amazing and he did an amazing job afterwards. It was beautiful!! Congratulations on your wedding. This site will help you immensely.

 

[orangetiggs]

We are going with misty as although we liked randy as well some of the pics i saw when we were due to book were not as his normal standards so I got a bit worried that not all the weddings he does are up to the same standard. Yet every wedding i have seen from misty they are all 100% nicely done. She does do the special effects but if you dont want it then she wont do it, as far as i am aware you get them all plus any that have been photoshopped by her

 

[DisneyFairy19]

I chose Randy because of all the great reviews I have heard about him and I saw his portfolio. He is amazing