Photographer Recommendations

Bry238

Earning My Ears
Joined
Mar 17, 2007
Messages
4
Does anyone have an recommendations for a photographer? If I book a photographer through Disney, do they just assign me someone? I don't know if I'm entirely comfortable not knowing my photographer. Also, I wonder about pricing. Are the Disney photographers overpriced or will an outside vendor be about the same?

Any suggestions?

Please let me know what you all did. Thanks!

Bryprincess:
 
I personally am using Randy Chapman (www.chapmanphotography.com - the password for the Disney Brides section is Ariel) because he comes so highly recommended on this board. I didn't like the idea of not knowing which Disney photographer I would get, and I wanted to make sure I had the rights to all of my photos (Randy gives you a high-res CD with ALL of your photos on it, for you to reproduce as you wish). I know you can get them through Disney, for about $1000 (or $99 if you wait a few years).

I'm swapping my Disney photography package for the Epcot Honeymoon shoot.
 
I second Randy!
 

As both a professional wedding photographer and Disney Groom, I "third" Randy ! And I am sure plenty more will support this recommendation. He photographed our wedding and was superb.

Yes, i believe you are right with Disney just appointing one of their photographers to you.
 
Like Tiggerific said, if you go with an outside photographer like Randy, you can swap your Disney photographer for a honeymoon shoot. You still get the pictures, just in a different way. Also, sometimes they may charge you to use an outside vendor (I believe it's like an "escort fee", when they have to pay someone to walk your photographer around and make sure he doesn't do anything he isn't supposed to. Most of the time, people who use Randy don't get charged the outside vendor fee because he doesn't need to be escroted; something to keep in mind if you go with someone else though).

Hope that helps!
 
Thank you so much to everyone for their replies!! It really helps and is greatly appreciated!
 
Another for Randy! His pics are beautiful and he's the nicest person to talk to! And on top of all that, he's cheaper than Disney Photography! Good luck! :thumbsup2
 
Are you doing an escape? I am wanting to use Randy, but it seems a waste on disney's photo package. Did it cost to move it?

I'm doing an Intimate (I think that's the same as Escape). As far as I know, it's not costing me anything to do the Epcot shoot instead, although I know some people are quoted $50 for any park other than the MK.
 
I just recently posted this on a couple threads down...

Randy Chapman /Chapman Photography

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ive written so many reviews on Randy it all runs together-- so here's a recent one. If you want some of my photos ill be happy to post them as well. Let me know.....)


Randy, Randy, Randy..... whats not to love about good ole Randy!!

I encourage you to look at at Randy's work along with other competitors. Randy is highly spoken of here on the boards, but I want you to make a decision that you are comfortable with. I am Randy's biggest fan so you will hear me speak very highly of him. His work is phenomenal and seriously, cannot be beat.

Depending on the package you get from Randy will depend on the price.
If you go to www.chapmanphotography.com and go to "Disney brides" the password is "Ariel". You can look at those photos and see some examples of his work there (you might be surprised to see many DISers there). If you click on the botton it will say "wedding information"... there you can look at his prices. When comparing prices you will see that Randy is a GREAT investment.

Disney gives you very few photos and makes you pay approx $1000 for the CD. Where Randy, on the other hand, gives you a CD with all of your photos and you own the copywrite to the CD. He also gives you an album with (depending on the package) a great number of photos.

Here was my package-- to give you an idea.
-I paid $613 dollars for 3 hours of photography. He shot me getting ready at the WL, then at the ceremony (Sea Breeze Point- Boardwalk Resort),shot afterwards for the reception and Mickey and Minnie, and then we went for the remainder of the time to the Grand Floridian for some photos on the grounds there.
-We received the album with over 400+ photos. The album is beautiful and I could not be happier.
-He also sent the CD with every single photo he took of us on the day. We have been able to take this CD an get reprints for as low as .22cents (Compare that to any other photographer. Sometimes reprints can cost up to $70 dollars).

Randy is a great deal! Take a look at the photos he shot of my DH and I in my Trip Report. That link is in my signature and will give you an idea of his work.

Randy is the most artistic, tallented, individual I have ever met. He is very personable and really makes you feel as though you are well taken care of. I had no idea what was going on the day of my wedding and Randy did. He took control and even helped my DH and Dad get their clothes on correctly (haha ) before the wedding. He also answered all of our questions as to what we needed to do for the ceremony (something my WC hadnt really prepared us for).

I highly recommend Randy as an outside vendor.

Think of it like this

You get what you pay for. With Disney its already included but you get very very few photos and when you want more (those that they didnt give to you in your fold out)... that will add up (sometimes photos are $70 a piece. Wont all of the in-laws want atleast 1 photo?? How many photos is that-- it practically makes going with randy worth your money). His packages are so reasonable and you wont have to worry about years down the road having to get in touch with someone just to get a reprint of a photo that your child happened to rip up, or got knocked off the shelf and bent. You own the copywrite and the CD with all the photos are on it... its as easy as going to wally world-- popping it in the computer and getting a reprint for mearly pocket change.

But look this is the real thing, Im not someone who works for Randy nor do I know Randy outside of the photography that he shot for my wedding. Genually- hes all round tallented great guy.

www.chapmanphotography.com
__________________
 
i loved randy but i choose to go with a more photojournalistic approach. i liked the diffrent angels and untraditional photos so i choose rhett phyle from "artistic photography". that is the web address also. good luck choosing it is definatly a hard part.
 
I will definately say to go with Randy. You will not be disappointed. He takes his time and really enjoys doing his photography.
 
We used Randy and were not disappointed. He continually changes his photojournalistic style and evolves. Basically he is always looking for something new. If you ever see a picture that you want, Randy can definately do that style. You will not be disappointed going with Randy Chapman.
 
I have left a message at the number posted on Randy's website twice, now - last week, and again this week, and haven't gotten a call back.

Is this typical? ...Is he better-reached via an email?

TIA
~ Beth
 
Does anyone have pics that Randy did in an artistis style? DF doesn't seem to like Randy, He wants more artistic pics, not posed pics but since he is so highly recommended here (good reviews are hard to get and must be earned, he must be GREAT!) and his prices seem pretty decent, I would like to have him. But it is a wedding so we both have to agree.

Could anyone post or send me pics that Randy has dont in an artistic style, maybe photjournalist is better to use.

Thanks!
 
I have left a message at the number posted on Randy's website twice, now - last week, and again this week, and haven't gotten a call back.

Is this typical? ...Is he better-reached via an email?

TIA
~ Beth

I can give you randy's cell phone or personal email if you PM me... those might be better..
 
Does anyone have pics that Randy did in an artistis style? DF doesn't seem to like Randy, He wants more artistic pics, not posed pics but since he is so highly recommended here (good reviews are hard to get and must be earned, he must be GREAT!) and his prices seem pretty decent, I would like to have him. But it is a wedding so we both have to agree.

Could anyone post or send me pics that Randy has dont in an artistic style, maybe photjournalist is better to use.

Thanks!

Here are a few of mine- though you may have already seen them. He takes VERY FEW posed shots (looking directly at the camera)-- i would say less than 1/8th of mine are posed! If you wanted more posed you could surely ask!

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Im not sure if these are the type you are looking for or not-- ill look through my photos for more
 
Here is a few of my fav's from Randy:
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He took this one while waiting for us to come down & open the door for him!
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