randy pics

[caryndisneydiva]

how would i get randy's #? how far in advance do you have to book him? are his costs less than disney, or about the same? i read in a tr that if you go with a disney photographer you do not "own" your pictures, but by using someone off property you will. how does having another photographer work for your reception? are they included in the guest count? thanks for all of your help ladies!

 

[Maggimus]

( I wrote this review on a different thread but want to share it here just in case you missed it)

Before I speak further 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.

Some might say... 'weve already paid for someone.. why throw more money away'... but whats $600 some-odd dollars in the grand scheme of things? A lifetime of memories on paper... able to access them forever-- not to mention a photographer who is(in my opinion) better than Disney Photography?? In my opinion thats priceless in and of itself... Theres no big price tag along with this one though... hes actually affordable

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.

Here are a few of my photos-- and if this dont convince you I dont know what will. I have said this many times and ill say it again-- im not bragging about me or my DH in these photos (if you read my TR you will see I wasnt exactly pleased with my looks on the day of the wedding).. but in all honesty, Randy Chapman could take fabulous photos of pigs playing in a pig pen...

I hope you make the same great decision I did...

If you need more info please feel free to ask. You can exchange your already paid for Disney package for the Disney Honeymoon Photo Shoot-- free exchange. Here are photos of the album I received (I also received the CD) and as you can see--- a whole lot more photos than what Disney offers! GL with your decision

 

[Tabetha]

Book as soon as possible. I got ahold of him requesting package info, and waited over a week for it (he was on vacation, I hear).
He sent the info yesterday night (8:30). This morning he emailed back that he'd just been booked with a deposit. My date's over a year away.

Again, book your photographer as soon as you have an idea of your date.

 

[audisight]

I booked Randy over a year in advance. His prices are much less then Disney and you get so much more. He and his wife are very nice to work.
His number is (407)841-2300
Good Luck!

 

[Lizby]

Did you have to pay extra for someone from Disney to "watch over" him as they allude to in some of their info on outside vendors?

 

[Tabetha]

Nope!

 

[Maggimus]

Did you have to pay extra for someone from Disney to "watch over" him as they allude to in some of their info on outside vendors?

No Disney does not require you to pay the escort fee. Randy has done so many of their weddings that they are very familiar with him... and he's very familiar with disneys way of doing things!

 

[Island Mouse]

I've already got Randy booked for our wedding in October 2008. My DF and I are very pleased with our decision to book him. Right off the bat we are saving money compared to Disney photography and when the wedding is over, we'll own the rights to all of our pics that we can print and re-print as much as we want.

 

[pooh98378]

We booked him in Dec '06 for our Jan '08 wedding. When we took our engagement pics in July, he said he already had several people booked for 2009.

His costs are MUCH less than Disney for the package we got. As Maggie said, you get the CD which costs $1,000 alone from Disney. Another reason why we went with him is because we knew his reputation and who we would have as a photographer on our wedding day.

Having another photographer for your reception is no problem. The only thing an outside photographer cannot do is the MK Photoshoot (where you get into the park before opening to have your pics in front of the castle).

They are not included in the guest count as long as they truly are outside vendors (which Randy is). If, for example, you have a family member doing your photography, then that person would count as a guest.

Also, as stated before, you do not have to pay an escort fee for using Randy. If you are using another outside photographer, you may have to pay it depending on the person. Disney is very familiar with Randy and they know he doesn't need one.

HTH!

 

[ForKeeps]

I also went with Randy.

When I found out (from the DIS -- otherwise I never would have known) that Disney Photography services only included the few photographs and to purchase the copyright was either $1000 at the time of the wedding (or $100 3 years later) I was horrified. To me that was way too much.

But then I found out that Randy had a package for Intimates for just over $600 (with taxes) that included a cd with all the copyrights to the pictures. When I started looking at his work I knew I had to have him.

Randy was the first thing I booked for our wedding (I booked initially over a year in advance), when we thought we needed to change the date, he was the first person I called to make sure he was available. When you book him, he'll ask for a 50% deposit to reserve the date. As you know, you won't know whether you'll get your date if you're booking over a year out with Disney. But with me he was good enough to say that if I didn't get the date I booked with him, and he already had a booking for the day I did get he would refund the deposit. Talk about customer service!

Hiring Randy was the BEST decision I made for the entire wedding. I kept calm when things went a little awry because he was so familiar with the process. Many times the on site wedding coordinator was away tending to other things and I had questions that he answered. He put my DH, and our entire party immediately at ease. He's the nicest man I have ever met -- and he's truly amazing at what he does.

Maggie's already shared some of her wonderful photos, but I have more in my TR (the wedding day part) if you would like to see more.

Good luck!

p.s., if you go with Randy (who is an outside vendor, and you're an escape bride, DFTW wil substitute your included photography for the MK Honeymoon shoot).

 

[hiwaygal]

p.s., if you go with Randy (who is an outside vendor, and you're an escape bride, DFTW wil substitute your included photography for the MK Honeymoon shoot).

Just an FYI..there is a rumor that Disney is no longer doing this. OP you may want to confirm that with your wedding coordinator/planner.

 

[JonetteA]

In addition, the fees may be added. It really depends on how DFTW has cracked down in recent days, and who your coordinator is. Don't let this discourage you from using Randy he is wonderful!!!

 

[theantibride]

I'm not going with Randy his style just isn't me, but I am a phtoographer so I can answer a few of your other questions.

Anytime you use a professional photographer they own the rights to your images --whether it be Disney or Joe Schmo Photography. However, most private photographers or studios today (meaning those not corporate owned) will either sell you or give you the copyright to your photos. This may come in the way of a cd-rom &/or a letter giving you the right to use the images any way you see fit. Randy Chapman is one of the photographers who does this (not all do so if you find someone you want ask what their policy is regarding the copyright). Some will sell it to you right away, some after a set time period, some never. It varies from place to place so always check first. And some photographers will be less expensive than Disney, others more. So do some research (places like theknot.com and other wedding sites let you search for vendors by area) and then talk to them. Once you know your date and find a photographer you like book them! And find out what their policy is on cancellations, date changes, or what happens if something happens to them and they can't make your wedidng (like they get sick or have a family emergency). Good luck!