Photographer Help

[bjbosu]

So I have been lurking for awhile and have read mixed reviews on this in various threads, but am hoping for a little more pointed answers.

We are getting married on 2/10/13 at the WP and then reception to follow at GF (St. Augustine ballroom). I don't think we are going to have a problem hitting the minimum expenditure (in fact, I need to keep reminding myself that I don't need everything).

Anyway, what are your thoughts on photographers? Specifically Disney Photography? I've seen so many mixed reviews, not sure if I risk going with them or go with someone who gets much better remarks (Randy Chapman).

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[tric8783]

There are many mixed reviews, and the one photographer everyone seems to love is leaving and going on her own in August. We didnt want to chance it and brought ours with us (Justin & Mary Marantz). They were the best wedding decision we made!

 

[Wshs0127]

So I have been lurking for awhile and have read mixed reviews on this in various threads, but am hoping for a little more pointed answers.

We are getting married on 2/10/13 at the WP and then reception to follow at GF (St. Augustine ballroom). I don't think we are going to have a problem hitting the minimum expenditure (in fact, I need to keep reminding myself that I don't need everything).

Anyway, what are your thoughts on photographers? Specifically Disney Photography? I've seen so many mixed reviews, not sure if I risk going with them or go with someone who gets much better remarks (Randy Chapman).

Thanks for your thoughts!

Regina Hyman!!! She's amazing!!! But she's leaving Disney to go on her own. She's one of our outside vendors.

 

[itsmebabygi]

It seems like everyone thinks they have the best photographers (as they should feel) expect for the people "stuck" with Disney photography.

I was surprised how quickly I decided to go with someone outside Disney because before I started the process, I assumed I wouldn't. But I also assumed Disney would have a bunch of quality photographers.

I looked through other weddings, and I one photographer's pictures stuck out so much compared to the others, for me. It's very much a personal preference thing because there's seems to be a bunch of distinctive styles out there.

 

[Bridie1996]

The biggest problem I had with Disney Photography was that you can't be sure who you will get. Even if you spent hours pooring over their photographs and requested your favorite, there was no garauntee you'd get them. We lucked out and got Regina, who was who wanted and loved our photos and then contracted with Regina to take pictures of us on the Boardwalk this May through her own company.

If you decide to go with an outside photographer I'd strongly suggest checking out her facebook page etc. She is great to work with and her prices are very reasonable.

 

[SWBride]

Like many others, I'm frustrated with the process of getting a Disney photographer. I've given them my top 3 choices and they can't even guarantee any of them. Even better...you don't. Know who you're assigned until 30days prior to the wedding!!! It had me very anxious so I put in some buffers to make me feel better. First, I hired an outside videographer for the ceremony who I know is awesome. Then I had a friend that's a pro do our engagement photos. I also hired Randy Chapman to do our honeymoon photos. I feel like I've got enough good photographers in place now that even if I get screwed with a bad Disney photographer, I'll have beautiful pictures of enough of my wedding events to keep me happy.

 

[Emily11212]

It sounds like you at least have the option of going outside, so I would recommend looking at outside vendors. They probably aren't as expensive, and you will know what you are getting. Like other brides on here have said, it's very frustrating how Disney does their photography. I have to use a Disney photographer b/c my reception is inside a park (Living Seas at Epcot). I too, made a list of the top 3 that I wanted, and also said one name that I definitely didn't want. I wish I could tell you more, but I don't even know who I'm getting, and I'm getting married in November, lol! But this is something I really think that Disney needs to relook at how they do... the photographer is a VERY important part to the wedding day, and to not know who you will have until a month beforehand, and to possibly get someone who's photography you didn't like, it's just not fair.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to complain. My wedding planner is very understanding of my frustration and trying very hard to get me what I want, she is simply following the rules. And I think those rules need to be reworked. I'll let you know as of October 2nd who I get, lol!!

 

[seizingtheday]

I personally wouldn't call going with Disney photography a risk. I was married almost two years ago and we still talk about our amazing photographers. We had a number of in-parks events for our wedding and I guess we wouldn't have had any other choice, but after our engagement session with Rick we were sold on Disney photography. Our photos were stunning and he made us feel completely at ease. He was very talented at putting us in the most flattering positions and our smiles were genuine as he was hilarious! We felt comfortable and our true personalities shone through in these photos.

For the wedding trip we had a MK session, an Epcot and resort session and a trash the dress session at Blizzard Beach. Chris and Rick met us at each one, happy to be there and treated us like old friends. At the trash the dress shoot we even had a third photographer, Mike, come along who was just as kind and fun.

The photographers completely won our guests over at the wedding events. My dad really wasn't keen on a Disney wedding at first, but - in large part because of Rick - he was won over and truly enjoyed himself. They had a great time together! My favourite photo is one they got of my dad on the safari (his first ever ride!). I have never seen him with such a big smile on his face . My in-laws still talk about our fantastic photographers.

Two years on, DH and I still find ourselves looking at our photos quite often. All we see is perfection! We are so happy we got married in WDW and very thankful for all the extraordinary people we met in the process (including our photographers). They personify what we expect to find in Disney

 

[sambycat]

david and vicki arndt.

i know juggling budget is tough, but for half the price (if that), you’ll get two photographers (who know DFTW and used to work for them) and get tons of finished product for the price. they made me LOVE getting my picture taken and that is saying alot.

i would bump something else up somewhere if you aren’t hitting your minimums.. i know the budget is a chore, but i’m so glad we didn’t gamble with our pics.

 

[CityGirlLost]

Disney photography was just too expensive based on what you get for us. So after gonig through the websites of a lot of area photographers, cross referencing pricing and style, we contracted Jason Angelini.

 

[Emily11212]

I personally wouldn't call going with Disney photography a risk. I was married almost two years ago and we still talk about our amazing photographers. We had a number of in-parks events for our wedding and I guess we wouldn't have had any other choice, but after our engagement session with Rick we were sold on Disney photography. Our photos were stunning and he made us feel completely at ease. He was very talented at putting us in the most flattering positions and our smiles were genuine as he was hilarious! We felt comfortable and our true personalities shone through in these photos.

For the wedding trip we had a MK session, an Epcot and resort session and a trash the dress session at Blizzard Beach. Chris and Rick met us at each one, happy to be there and treated us like old friends. At the trash the dress shoot we even had a third photographer, Mike, come along who was just as kind and fun.

The photographers completely won our guests over at the wedding events. My dad really wasn't keen on a Disney wedding at first, but - in large part because of Rick - he was won over and truly enjoyed himself. They had a great time together! My favourite photo is one they got of my dad on the safari (his first ever ride!). I have never seen him with such a big smile on his face . My in-laws still talk about our fantastic photographers.

Two years on, DH and I still find ourselves looking at our photos quite often. All we see is perfection! We are so happy we got married in WDW and very thankful for all the extraordinary people we met in the process (including our photographers). They personify what we expect to find in Disney

You are lucky b/c you got Rick! He is the top photographer I requested, but I have been told that there is "no guarantee" until 30 days beforehand! So it is a bit of a risk, b/c as much as I want him, I might not get him. That's what is frustrating, that I can't book things now and know that everything is all set, I have to wait until 30 days before. Also, what do you mean by engagement session? How did you get to do an engagement session with your photographer when you didn't know who the photographer was going to be? Or did you do an engagement session only a month beforehand? I'm confused! Teach me please, I'm really hoping to get him for our wedding!!!!

 

[Sccrmnky2005]

david and vicki arndt.

i know juggling budget is tough, but for half the price (if that), you’ll get two photographers (who know DFTW and used to work for them) and get tons of finished product for the price. they made me LOVE getting my picture taken and that is saying alot.

i would bump something else up somewhere if you aren’t hitting your minimums.. i know the budget is a chore, but i’m so glad we didn’t gamble with our pics.

I agree to this 100%!!

The Arndt's are soooo amazing!!!

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

We had Randy chapman for the day of our wedding and Disney for the magic kingdom bridal photos. Randy was awesome. I highly recommend him. He is as nice as can be too. We had Alicia take our photos in park. She was really great. We've done photo sessions with Amy, Mike, and Alicia on three separate occasions for Disney and I thought they were all great but Alicia was our favorite so far. But I do agree that Disney is very expensive and you don't get as many items with them.

 

[seizingtheday]

You are lucky b/c you got Rick! He is the top photographer I requested, but I have been told that there is "no guarantee" until 30 days beforehand! So it is a bit of a risk, b/c as much as I want him, I might not get him. That's what is frustrating, that I can't book things now and know that everything is all set, I have to wait until 30 days before. Also, what do you mean by engagement session? How did you get to do an engagement session with your photographer when you didn't know who the photographer was going to be? Or did you do an engagement session only a month beforehand? I'm confused! Teach me please, I'm really hoping to get him for our wedding!!!!

Hi Emily. I think we were just generally luck! While photos were very important to us, we did put a lot of trust in Disney and were happy with what we got. If I recall, we did send a message saying how much we enjoyed our engagement session with Rick and hoped we'd get him again. That message would have been sent in January and our wedding wasn't until August.

I hope you are as lucky as us, but I'm sure no matter who you have they will put a lot of care into your wedding photos.

 

[mebbradley]

I couldn't give up control of not knowing who we were getting for photography.

At the moment, we're going to book Randy Chapman.

 

[Katiebugg14]

The Arndts are amazing! They are so helpful and fun to work with. Our pictures were just amazing from our wedding! They really are the way to go! The best part is that you get two photographers!

Shoot them an e-mail
Dvarndtphoto@aol.com

 

[gamberlane]

I think my issue is that I am having an escape wedding, meaning it will be over in an hour or two, tops. I would like an outside photographer, but they charge you for packages that include the wedding prep and assume you will be need 6-8 hours of photography, when in reality I will need 1-2 hours. I wish there were options for this or that Disney offered "approved" outside vendors or something so you could choose.

It just seems pretty steep to be dropping $1000 or more for an hour's worth of photography. I don't know what to do! But then again I was going to go with the $500 extra package anyway, so then it's only a $500 difference...too much to think about!

 

[halloween12]

we are doing a memories wedding and Randy Chapman has been able to offer us a 60-90mins shoot and the copyright cd - PLUS his friend a videographer to cover the wedding and 3 dvds of the video for $500 - which is what disney were going to charge me for the copyright CD alone - and i know that I have a brilliant photographer on board.
Its worth emailing for quotes

 

[Evi]

op I think everyone is going to say that their photographer is the best but the truth is, you should go look at the photographers websites and go with the photographer who's photography style is what you envisioned for your wedding. Disney has some great and not so great photographers and thats the problem. I almost wish they would price their photographers according to the quality of the work because once they see that the bad ones aren't getting picked they would bring up the quality of their product. In the end you really should pick the photographer who's style you like.

 

[sambycat]

Have you spoken with photographers you are interested in? Most are familiar with what the dftw packages entail and will be willing (to extent) to tailor them to your needs. We did use more photography then I would have thought and were extremely pleased.