Photography help - have you used them?

[*Pixiedust1438*]

So I was not wanting to spend a lot on photography, but after getting some feedback on here, I have decided we need to get a professional for some or all of the day. I can't afford to go with Disney, it is just way to expensive. I also was looking at Misty, Roots, and Randy who I know all come highly recommended on the boards, but they are also above my budget. So I found two Orlando area vendors with work I really like and reasonable prices. They are Erika Hopkins or Sandra Johnson. Has anyone used either of them, or can anyone direct me to a thread about either of them? Thanks for any help!

 

[pezaddict231]

I haven't heard of anyone here using them, but you could see if anyone on the Knot is familiar with them.

There is also a website called weddingwire that sometimes has reviews.

hope that helps!

 

[weedee]

Did you see that Randy was offering a package for under $500 including the DVD disk for 3-4 hours of service? honestly this was one of the least expensive professional photography packages I've found...

 

[MsEsty]

So I was not wanting to spend a lot on photography, but after getting some feedback on here, I have decided we need to get a professional for some or all of the day. I can't afford to go with Disney, it is just way to expensive. I also was looking at Misty, Roots, and Randy who I know all come highly recommended on the boards, but they are also above my budget. So I found two Orlando area vendors with work I really like and reasonable prices. They are Erika Hopkins or Sandra Johnson. Has anyone used either of them, or can anyone direct me to a thread about either of them? Thanks for any help!

Without knowing exactly what your budget is (believe me, mine is small as well). Misty emailed me yesterday that she has special deals (not listed on her website) for Disney brides. I believe the figure she quoted me was around $1300 for 4 hours.

Did you see that Randy was offering a package for under $500 including the DVD disk for 3-4 hours of service? honestly this was one of the least expensive professional photography packages I've found...

Do you have a link for this? I'm waiting for him to email me back as well but if that is the case, I'll book him today!

 

[girli565]

Without knowing exactly what your budget is (believe me, mine is small as well). Misty emailed me yesterday that she has special deals (not listed on her website) for Disney brides. I believe the figure she quoted me was around $1300 for 4 hours.



Do you have a link for this? I'm waiting for him to email me back as well but if that is the case, I'll book him today!

http://chapmanphotography.com/pdfs/disneywed.pdf

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Thanks girls. I actually emailed Misty about doing a shorter time (4 hours) as 6 and 8 are the only packages listed, and she offered to do this for me as well. I will have to check out Randy's $500 package also, that is a really great deal. However, I am thinking I might want an 8 hour package. Erika offers an 8 hour package including CD and rights for $1,200. I actually really like her work. So.... should I go with Misty or Randy for four hours, or Erika for 8??? I am going to cut out the raw footage video from the WP which is $950, so I will have that to put towards photos.

 

[weedee]

I think you really need to look at the style of photos that you like the best first, then look at what you really want compared to what's being offered. For example, I know that Randy's package does not offer editing on every photo he gives you, he edits only about 20-30 images but gives you hundreds of them. So if you're looking for something more polished on every shot, take that into consideration. I'm not sure how Misty does her editing. Are you having an Escape ceremony or a Wishes? I personally think 4-5 hours is plenty of time for an Escape wedding if you don't care about not having your reception covered...but if you do want it covered then 8 hours might be more fitting.

 

[erin.w]

Also remember if you are going to use "outside" photography services, you can't use them for your ceremony/reception in the parks. I found that out the hard way.

 

[sillykaren]

Have you looked into David and Vicki Arndt at all? They have a package that's pretty reasonable for about 1,000 that gives you 3-4 hours of coverage, a book, high-res cd with rights, and some prints. They do beautiful work! We had them do a family portrait session when we were down there a couple of weeks ago. We could not have been happier with them or the results! They both worked for Disney for a very long time and have tons of experience shooting in and around Disney!

 

[MsEsty]

Have you looked into David and Vicki Arndt at all? They have a package that's pretty reasonable for about 1,000 that gives you 3-4 hours of coverage, a book, high-res cd with rights, and some prints. They do beautiful work! We had them do a family portrait session when we were down there a couple of weeks ago. We could not have been happier with them or the results! They both worked for Disney for a very long time and have tons of experience shooting in and around Disney!

I'm actually going to book with them and they are offering 15% off for Disney Brides. So is Misty to be fair - I don't remember if the Roots are and I haven't officially heard from Randy yet. The Arndt's package for 4 hours with the DVD and Website is 1000 before the 15% discount. I am going with this because it comes with two photographers and they will work with the Disney photographer that comes with the package. They seem very willing to work on pricing so contacting them definitely wouldn't hurt

Chapman has a package for the "full day" for $1400, which isn't bad considering some offer 4 hours for the same amount.

With today's economy, it doesn't hurt to ask if they offer discounts or "special deals"

 

[stitch_escaped]

Caution,
As Misty uses Shutterfly for you photo package, at least the 5x7's and 4x6's
She was great to work with but when we got them in the mail we were a bit disappointed they came from shutterfly.

 

[DisneyLeah]

Caution,
As Misty uses Shutterfly for you photo package, at least the 5x7's and 4x6's
She was great to work with but when we got them in the mail we were a bit disappointed they came from shutterfly.

Hi - Maybe this is a dumb question, but I dont have any experience with pro photographers and I rarely have prints made....

But why were you disappointed that they came through Shutterfly? Is the quality poor?

 

[stitch_escaped]

Being a photographer myself, not a pro but I can hold my own, Shutterfly
is a mediocre processing site that pro photographers dont really use.
The Quality is very evident compared to say bayphoto.com
that I use for prints.
Being a professional photographer you should use as best quailty as possible
not something like shutterfly. Oh, and in case you didnt know shutterfly is Target processing. These are weddings they are doing.
So yes the quality is very poor.
I was very surprised to see shutterfly on the 500 prints we received.

Hi - Maybe this is a dumb question, but I dont have any experience with pro photographers and I rarely have prints made....

But why were you disappointed that they came through Shutterfly? Is the quality poor?

 

[DisneyLeah]

Being a photographer myself, not a pro but I can hold my own, Shutterfly
is a mediocre processing site that pro photographers dont really use.
The Quality is very evident compared to say bayphoto.com
that I use for prints.
Being a professional photographer you should use as best quailty as possible
not something like shutterfly. Oh, and in case you didnt know shutterfly is Target processing. These are weddings they are doing.
So yes the quality is very poor.
I was very surprised to see shutterfly on the 500 prints we received.

Ohh. very interesting! good to know - thanks for sharing that info with us!

 

[IKNOWITALL]

I'm sorry that is not true. Misty does not use Shutterfly. I have prints from Misty and they are not from Shutterfly. The images are high quality.

 

[diskneefreeky]

I'm actually going to book with them and they are offering 15% off for Disney Brides. So is Misty to be fair - I don't remember if the Roots are and I haven't officially heard from Randy yet. The Arndt's package for 4 hours with the DVD and Website is 1000 before the 15% discount. I am going with this because it comes with two photographers and they will work with the Disney photographer that comes with the package. They seem very willing to work on pricing so contacting them definitely wouldn't hurt

Chapman has a package for the "full day" for $1400, which isn't bad considering some offer 4 hours for the same amount.

With today's economy, it doesn't hurt to ask if they offer discounts or "special deals"

I also decided to go with the Arndt's, I really like the fact that they used to work for Disney and know all the ins and outs and Vicki is so nice. I am choosing the 4 hour package as well but without all the frills- I just want the dvd so i can do my own reprints, and that package came out to be about $720 something and she also let me know that if you book in the month of February they are offering a free engagement, honeymoon, or family portrait session at any wdw resort or wdw waterpark, plus I really liked their work, and the fact that you get two photographers with two different photography styles. You can check them out at their website and they are also on myspace and facebook. HTH
Shea

 

[copper4]

David and Vicki did my daughter's wedding in October and they were absolutely wonderful and the pictures were absolutely stunning. They had a lot of different poses and were so wonderful, we starting thinking of them as friends instead of photographers (and still do!). Here is a link to my daughter's slide show from them- you need Quick time to view and it takes a little while to load but it gives you a really good idea of what they can do...


http://shareitvideo.com/watch.php?v=241555575390830

 

[stitch_escaped]

Sure....I must be lying...
it is true...Our disney package included some 400-500
4x6 and 5x7 prints that all had the shutterfly timestamp on them..
This was 2009. Please dont tell me it is not true. I know what I am looking at.

I'm sorry that is not true. Misty does not use Shutterfly. I have prints from Misty and they are not from Shutterfly. The images are high quality.

 

[SuzeQ]

David and Vicki did my daughter's wedding in October and they were absolutely wonderful and the pictures were absolutely stunning. They had a lot of different poses and were so wonderful, we starting thinking of them as friends instead of photographers (and still do!). Here is a link to my daughter's slide show from them- you need Quick time to view and it takes a little while to load but it gives you a really good idea of what they can do...


http://shareitvideo.com/watch.php?v=241555575390830

I saw the slide show and loved it! Your daughter is beautiful! She really looks like Ariel.

I too, booked David and Vicki Arndt for my parents vow renewal and I was so thrilled that I could get them. They come highly recommended in and around the Central Florida Community and Walt Disney World. I think their prices are very reasonable but I would have booked them even if they wearn't. I love their style and who they are. The photographs mean everything.

They have a Facebook Page and a Website.

 

[copper4]

I saw the slide show and loved it! Your daughter is beautiful! She really looks like Ariel.

I too, booked David and Vicki Arndt for my parents vow renewal and I was so thrilled that I could get them. They come highly recommended in and around the Central Florida Community and Walt Disney World. I think their prices are very reasonable but I would have booked them even if they wearn't. I love their style and who they are. The photographs mean everything.

They have a Facebook Page and a Website.

Thanks! I think she's pretty special too but then again, I'm her Mom- she just seemed to glow all day- exactly what a happy bride should look like!