Photography?

[meelee514]

I've seen a lot of discussion about whether to get a Disney Photographer or an outside vendor, I'm just curious, are Disney's Photographer's bad? Why do most people suggest outside vendors?

 

[Janet2k]

Hello, Meelee514. I have used Disney's photographers to photograph my family's private events in Walt Disney World, including our FTW vow renewal. We have never been anything but pleased with their work.

 

[meelee514]

ooh that's great to hear! I really want amazing pictures, but don't think I want to pay for extra when it says they're included in the package haha.

 

[hiwaygal]

meelee514 -

I know exactly what you are saying.

For my intimate wedding, I liked what was included in the package and I didn't feel the need to pay someone else an extra $500 or more.

Disney photographers are professional and do quality work. If you'd like to see some samples of what they do, you can look go to:

http://www.collages.net/disneyweddings/

Username: Disney Photography Samples
Password: 1971

One of the biggest reasons that brides choose to use an outside vendor is to have the copyrights to their images immediately after their wedding. Disney doesn't give that to you, having a "hi-res" CD/DVD of your images is not included in Disney's package. And the cost is about $1000. However, I would strongly suggest that you talk to your coordinator or someone from Disney Photographic Services to see what options you have. Pre-purchasing the CD/DVD may be a cheaper option. It used to be the price went down significantly after three years, but I have heard that's not the case anymore. Also talk to Disney about the option of pre-purchasing your proofs! That will save you some money as well!

Having said that, I used Disney to photograph my wedding and I was thrilled!!! Our photographer was Ty and he was so friendly and nice and put me at ease about having my picture taken.

You can now request a photographer from Disney, and they will try to honor your request.

And, finally, regardless of who you choose to do your photography...TALK to them beforehand! They should be responsive to you all the time. You should be able to tell them what kind of pictures you like (style, poses, etc). You might want to have some samples from other weddings that you like. Tell the photographer what you like and what you don't...this will help you get the images you want to look at for the rest of your life!

 

[meelee514]

Ooh, I'll definitly have to check out that link.
Thanks!

 

[myprincessgirlisa]

IMO...its because they seem "overpriced" for what you get...at least thats what it seems like

I used them for our Anniv for a family photoshoot cause i wanted professional pictures, but im learning the hard way that it is EXPENSIVE & i dont get the originals..the proofs are in a book & not the greatest quality...but I DID LOVE the pictures i got

its all about what you are looking for

 

[Fantasia Sam]

For me I chose an outside photographer because so many of the photographers that Disney use do have different styles and I wanted to know exactly the style I was getting beforehand. Disney will not guarantee which photographer you get so without the guarantee I wasn't going with Disney.

That said I think for the most part alot of the pics I see that Disney take are well taken.

Also going with an outside vendor for photographer may give you more artistic license - for example the work of Karla Fountain, Jeff Stoner and Egomedia for examples give very different styles to the work I have seen Disney produce.

I chose Randy, personally I just really liked his style over Disney.

Of course sometimes some of us don't get a choice because we need to book Disney to hit our minimums. Again personally if I can have choice then I feel a lot more comfortable even if it means I would choose Disney in the end.

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Nothing wrong with Disney photographers. As the other ladies said, we chose our outside photographer mostly due to having rights to our own images.

You're mostly paying for convenience with doing it all through Disney - and nothing wrong with that! I mean, it's great because I'm getting a lot of stuff done through Disney's wedding planners and it's making my life sooooooooo much easier.

Also, just wanted to add that we're able to use our "included" wedding photographer and substitute it for a honeymoon shoot so we're not technically losing anything. It'll be great to have a photographer follow us around for an hour while we're Disneymooning.

 

[JonetteA]

For me, I was like Sam. I wanted to make sure I knew who was going to be at my wedding, what their style was, and that we had really had a chance to talk beforehand. That to me was the most important thing. Since we had a custom wedding, it was also a matter of cost. Randy Chapman was who we went with, and he is much cheaper than what was available with Disney. It is all about what you want!

 

[PrincessBride010103]

with lots of the outside vendors you own the rights to your pics. with disney you dont and that sucks.

 

[meelee514]

Also, just wanted to add that we're able to use our "included" wedding photographer and substitute it for a honeymoon shoot so we're not technically losing anything. It'll be great to have a photographer follow us around for an hour while we're Disneymooning.

Would I be able to do that with an escape wedding? Do you still get the full 2 hours and say our wedding is in the morning, would we be able to have them follow us around at night?

I think that would be really cute, to have someone take pictures, like with fireworks and the castle and all that. Although I don't like getting my picture taken all that much, this I want to remember haha. Do they make you pose or are there candid shots.. or both?

haha oh, so many questions..

 

[hiwaygal]

Would I be able to do that with an escape wedding? Do you still get the full 2 hours and say our wedding is in the morning, would we be able to have them follow us around at night?

I think that would be really cute, to have someone take pictures, like with fireworks and the castle and all that. Although I don't like getting my picture taken all that much, this I want to remember haha. Do they make you pose or are there candid shots.. or both?

haha oh, so many questions..

If you choose an ouside photographer, Disney has been allowing you to substitute your "included" photography for the Honeymoon Shoot. Basically it's a one hour photo session at one of the parks (your choice). I think they do mostly posed stuff, but you can probably see about getting some more candid shots as well. I think I still have the "official" description in some information at home. If someone else doesn't post it for you, I'll post it tonight. I don't remember what you actually get with that option (i.e. number of prints, etc.) but I'm sure someone can fill you in more on that!

 

[chipscinderelly]

We choose an outside photographer as we wanted to own the rights to our photos immediately (vs 3 years later) and have the ability to do our own album.

We used Disney for our MK shoot and my good friends hired DPS for a surprise bridal shower - the photos were both excellent.

You can't go wrong either way!

 

[Swmhc]

I just added my responses below:

Would I be able to do that with an escape wedding? Do you still get the full 2 hours and say our wedding is in the morning, would we be able to have them follow us around at night? You can't split the "included" time with the escape. They will cover your ceremony and cake cutting. That is about it. You could hire them for another hour for later in the evening if you want, but I don't know the cost for that.

I think that would be really cute, to have someone take pictures, like with fireworks and the castle and all that. Although I don't like getting my picture taken all that much, this I want to remember haha. Do they make you pose or are there candid shots.. or both? Talk to your photographer in advance and make sure they know what you are wanting.

haha oh, so many questions..

 

[meelee514]

I just added my responses below:Originally Posted by meelee514
Would I be able to do that with an escape wedding? Do you still get the full 2 hours and say our wedding is in the morning, would we be able to have them follow us around at night? You can't split the "included" time with the escape. They will cover your ceremony and cake cutting. That is about it. You could hire them for another hour for later in the evening if you want, but I don't know the cost for that

Sorry, I meant if I hired an outside photographer for the wedding, then wanted my included Disney photographer to do a honeymoon "session" at night, would I be able to have them come at night instead of right after the wedding itself?

 

[hiwaygal]

Okay, I found my info on the Honeymoon shoot...it's a couple of years old but I think the basics are still there. You will definitely want to ask if there have been any changes.

It includes:

-Guided tour of the Disney Theme Park of your choice to determine photo locations.

-Includes your choice of the following locations: Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot World Showcase, Tower of Terror at Disney Studios, or the Tree of Life in AK

- Twenty 4x6 prints (and I think this may have been changed)

- White leather bound album (and if the number of prints has been changed, this probably has too)

-Session does not include admission to the park

-Casual attire and comfortable walking shoes are recommended

- Session is for bride and groom only; wedding attire not permitted.

I'm not sure if you could do a night session (it sounds like probably not)...at least not as part of the Honeymoon package. But I'm sure you can see what other options there are and see if Disney will apply a credit towards those options. Usually they don't, but who knows when that will change.

 

[meelee514]

I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed then haha