Pricing for Randy Chapman?

[geek+nerd]

I'm starting to investigate outside photographers because I just feel that the Disney upgrades are a rip-off. I've seen lots of recommendations of Randy, and I just visited his site. I love his "Creative Candids" section; DF and I have already decided that we don't want 400 posed pictures of us. We both prefer more candid shots, and I think Randy would be great for us.

I did fill out the contact info sheet, but I am one impatient disbride! I was hoping that someone could give me a hint about some of his pricing options. At this point, I don't care if we get prints; we just want the disc.

TIA!

 

[Swmhc]

It has been 3 years since we hire Randy, so I am sure my prices are out of date. However, I do know that his prices include CD's with all the prints and the rights to print them anywhere you want. When we got married, we also got 4x6 proof of each photo (a huge book full). But like I said, it has been several years so hopefully someone more recent can help you. he was VERY reasonable when we hired him.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Randy did have prices on his website that you should be able to look at. It may be password protected though. If you send me a pm I can give you the password that it was last.

His prices are really reasonable though. And he also will let you create a custom package that works for your day and for your budget. This is what we did and we are really happy.

Hope this helps!

 

[Sccrmnky2005]

another great candid shot photographer is David and Vicki Arndt. We loved them!! I love candid shots also, so if Randy doesn't work out for you they are great

 

[geek+nerd]

Thanks, everyone! He already got back to me. I forwarded the email to DF at work (I'm a teacher and have NOTHING to do this summer but create stuff to stress over with planning our wedding), and am awaiting his response. I think he's reasonable for 7 hours of coverage. It's an additional 3 hours of coverage than we would get with Disney for about $350 more than we were planning on spending with the Disney upgrade.

 

[girli565]

He's very reasonable. We did a CD only package with 6 hours of coverage and spent a little under $1100. It was great!!

You can see a sampling of our pictures here.

 

[April Elizabeth]

I think the most important thing is to like the style of the photographer.
Most of the outside photography vendors have better prices than Disney Photographic. David and Vicki Arndt and Misty all offer DVD only packages that you can purchase without purchasing the albums. I chose The Arndt's because of their style and you get two photographers and I just really loved them when I met them. Vicki is quick to answer e-mails and so helpful with everything. I can't wait to do my e-pics with them. I loved Sccrmnky2005 (Amanda's) e-pics and slideshow.

You won't go wrong with Randy or any of the ones that are recommended here on the Disboards. Just go with your heart and pick the style you love!

 

[B714210]

Randy photographed my daughter's wedding last October. She was married on the Grand Floridian Beach, had her reception at Ariels. He came back to Sago Cay that night for the dessert party. We have 7 DVDs of photos that are unbelievable! After the reception, he asked DD and her new hubby "if they would mind a few more photos". He took them all around the yacht and beach club for more photos. The best part was, we met with him the day of the planning session, before going to Francks.
We told him what we wanted and what our budget was and he totally worked with us. DD also has a book with about 500 photos. I'm not positive, but I think the whole package was around $1400. I know I cancelled DPS for the dessert party and had Randy come back instead, so I can't remember the end total for sure. I am trying to talk my 20 year old into getting married in Orlando (We live in WI and he doesn't even have a girlfriend right now) just so I can have Randy take the photos.
In any case, good luck with your decision.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I too have booked Randy and although I have never met him, I have already built up a good rapport with him via the e-mails we exchange. He is so much fun!!! He will photograph our VR at the Swan, also our 'first look' at BLT and then do portraits at the Swan, Boardwalk and GF. He has accepted our invitation to be our guest for dinner at Citricos and I am so excited!!! If I add on a DP at Sago Cay (depends on the budget!!), I will ask him to add on an hour or so there for photos. He seems a real sweetie and his work is amazing!!
Good luck with everything!!

 

[cubgirl78]

We are having KMD Creations do ours...we loved their website and they are young (husband and wife team) who are casual and fun! Here's the website if anyone is interested. Much cheaper than anyone we've priced!

www.kmdcreations.com

 

[disneemama]

I would like my DD to use Randy Chapman but I think she is just planning to just use DPS. I know she does not follow the Dis, as I do, so she really isn't aware of her having choices. She will be having a planning session soon. Is that when you decide on a photographer? I would like to know options just in case she ask for my advise. (DD is doing all the planning herself) I'm wondering if there is a huge difference in price. Any help from the the Dis bride experts would be appreciated.

 

[Swmhc]

It depends on a lot of variables. If she is having any elements inside the parks, she doesn't get a choice. She will have to use DPS. A couple of years ago (when we got married) DPS didn't have a website to see samples of the different photographers work, and many of the photographers had limited skills it appeared, as many couples were unhappy with their photos. That is when a lot of us sought outside photographers.

In the past couple years, their products have seemed to improve. We did an MK and AK shoot and were very pleased with both DPS photographers we had (Ty, who is still there, and Paul, who has since left DPS). I know there are several newer staff that have done really nice shoots lately, so I don't think you will be disappointed with their services.

Since we had heard a lot of negatives around the time of our wedding, we looked at outside photographers for the actually ceremony. I did a lot of research and decided on Randy. We were beyond happy with him and his products. Please note, the photo below was not his, so don't judge his work on that one! My DH and I both LOVE Randy and I hope to be able to hire him again in the future !

The biggest issue with DPS -vs- outside photographers at this point is the expense. Most outside vendors give you a pretty good deal that includes the high res CD with all your images and copyright. That means you can do what you want with them and print them where ever you want, fairly inexpensively. DPS is still quite costly for the CD and to order prints through them is still pretty expensive too.

Most importantly, research the photographers styles and choose the one that produces images in line with your taste. Everyone has different ideas of what they like and luckily there are plenty of vendors out their that do things differently. You can get into a huge debate on here over who is "better", but it really boils down to what style you like best.

I am sure many more brides will come along with more info.

 

[disneemama]

Thank you so much for the information. The wedding planning session is in 3 weeks so I will know more soon. She is getting married on the GF beach and the reception is in one of the ballrooms. I think I will check out some of the other photographers just to get an idea of their styles. I read so many good things about Randy and a Misty. I am so looking forward to her wedding at Disney, it still doesn't seem a reality. I am a Disney fanatic and want to be able to help her when if she needs it. I know that I will be able to get the best info from the Dis Brides. Thanks again!