Upset with Disney photography

[geek+nerd]

We got the link to our professional pictures from Disney, and let me just say, we are less than thrilled.

Our initial plan was to do an upgrade with Disney Photography. We are SO GLAD that we decided to hire Randy Chapman instead.

On our wedding day, we had issues with our DPS photographer. He sat down to take most pictures and barely moved. Our guest with cameras moved more than he did. When he did stand, he stood behind Randy. In our DPS pics, Randy is actually in several of the shots. Additionally, he commented to one of our guests that he loves working with Randy because then he doesn't have to do any work.

We understand that we hired an outside photographer, but we also paid for our DPS photographer as part of our package and had much higher expectations. We are having a difficult time actually choosing 20 pictures that we like enough to include in our album that is part of the package.

What a disappointment!

Here's the link:
http://www.collages.net/disneyweddings

Username: Morris / Kelchner Wedding
Password: 1971

In contrast to these pics, we couldn't be happier with our pics from Randy. Thank you to everyone on the DISboards who recommended getting an outside photographer and those who recommended Randy!

We have complained about the pictures to our planner and also in the survey that we were sent. We'll see what happens.

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

What strikes me is how many pictures you're obviously looking at another camera or cameraperson than the disney one!

That's just unacceptable! I'd be upset, too.

 

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

I totally agree that he should have moved around more and it is completely unprofessional to say to a guest that he "didn't have to work because Randy was there". Did he seriously think that that comment wouldn't get back to you?

On the other hand, I honestly think you're photos came out wonderfully (please don't be upset, just my opinion). I know the above poster said that there weren't any shots of you guys looking at the camera, but I personally like those shots better because it looks more natural and not as staged; more like it's capturing the "realness" of the moments.

I still think you have every right to be upset though. Hopefully DFTW or DEP can work something out with you.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

I agree that the posed family shots are absolutely terrible. Those are the pictures that you want people looking at the camera during. But, it is confusing with a bunch of cameras around snapping pictures at the same time which to look at. At least Randy got the posed pictures.

I think that his detail shots are very nice, though. Maybe for the album, you could include the ceremony details like your bouquet and the candles, as well as the pictures of you two getting married... the ones where you aren't supposed to be looking at the camera. And, those bridal shots of you in the Wedding Pavilion are gorgeous! Maybe do an outline of your day without the family pictures for your Disney album?

But it's not right for your photographer to slack of just because Randy was taking the pictures (and I did see the picture with Randy taking a picture... but you two looked beautiful in the background, so I can only imagine how amazing Randy's picture must be!). You weren't paying him to sit around and do nothing. Definitely file a complaint.... his boss (or whoever) needs to know about his attitude.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Sorry you're disappointed. I thought you got some lovely shots - I especially like the detail shots (your flowers were gorgeous!) and the ones of you by the window and under the arch outside. I wonder if when DPS is the secondary photog you end up with more of the "not looking right at their camera during the pose" shots as part of them giving the right of way to the photog you hired.

ETA: and I totally agree that it was very unprofessional of him to make that comment to your guests.

 

[princesswendy720]

I am on my phone so I can't see your pictures from here, but I have read before when you hire an outside photographer, DPS will become the secondary photographer getting candid (rather than the posed shots). He certainly shouldnt have stayed stationary the whole time, but maybe he didn't want to be lurking in Randy's shots? If you are unhappy, I'd continue to express your concerns. Maybe Disney needs to address how they handle/communicate their policies when there are two photographers at the wedding.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Linda sweetie - I am so sorry you are disappointed with DPS, but unfortuately, it seems to be an ongoing theme at the moment!! I agree with the girls that you have some pretty shots of yourself, the details and some lovely candid shots of your guests!!!
It seems that the DPS photographer was completely unprofessional in the way he acted and the comments he made. I am the biggest Disney fan alive and it disappoints me so much that DPS seem to drop the ball time and time again!!! It is nore frustrating, however, that very little seems to be done about it. This is a big problem which really needs addressing asap.
Luckily, you had our gorgeous Randy to provide you with the photos you deserve. Love the pinky orange shirt he wore on your day!!
My heart goes out to those brides who have to rely solely on DPS. All this bad press must be so worrying for them!!!

 

[SusieQ79]

Out of curiosity who was your photog? If you don't want to post it publicly, can you PM me? We aren't using one for the ceremony, but will for the DP and the Magic Kingdom shoot....

 

[Pinkgirl]

Hi Linda, sorry you are disappointed with your photos. There are some lovely shots and some not so good. I love the confetti shot and the back of the carriage. Also lovely pictures of your niece and your flowers. I think it will be nice to put the Disney photos of your family alongside the shots that Randy took at the same time so that you can see them from two angles.

I suppose this is what Disney think is acceptable when their photographer has to play second to a professional such as Randy.

We have Randy booked and am not expecting anything spectacular form Disney - apart from wanting the DFTW Photo Album.

 

[jlocmac]

Out of curiosity who was your photog? If you don't want to post it publicly, can you PM me? We aren't using one for the ceremony, but will for the DP and the Magic Kingdom shoot....

I would like to know this as well, if you're willing to share it. I have requested Amy or Regina, but you never know who you will get.

You're pictures are beautiful!! With that being said, I completely agree with you. We're having an Escape wedding in Sept. and also have Randy booked to photograph our ceremony. I will be highly pissed if I see DPS sitting around on the sidelines snapping sideways pics of everybody. I understand they are supposed to be the secondary photographer. My planner did tell me that. But that doesn't mean they don't have to do anything. With it being a part of the total Escape package, I sometimes feel like they don't think our pics are as important as others. We're still paying for the WHOLE package, and photography is a part of that!!

You can find some lovely shots in there to go with the WONDERFUL ones Randy took!!!

 

[geek+nerd]

Ladies, thanks for the compliments and the consolation!

I agree that some of the shots are nice, but there are too many that are not for us to be satisfied. Plus, this guy's attitude was unprofessional.

However, I am comforted by our beautiful pictures from Randy. I am working on a Shutterfly book now and it's nice to relive the day through his work.

If you want to know the name of the photographer, PM me.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I think your photos are beautiful. I only saw one photo with Randy in it (I guess I missed the others), but is it possible that DPS was trying to show what else was happening that day? What I mean is, he purposefully showed Randy because he wanted to show what was happening at that time.

I think an album with the detail shots would be nice.

I do think it was TOTALLY unprofessional for him to say that to your guests and I would definitely complain about that.

 

[SusieQ79]

Argh I don't have enough posts to PM you yet. LOL. I will try and push out a few more and then drop you a note. I have a hunch on who it might be, but I hate to assume...

 

[jlovesee]

I don't post often here... I was a Disney bride way back in Jan 2002! But I can't keep quiet, those photos STINK!

Now I am not a professional photographer, but my husband is, and I have enough experience to realize whats a decent photo and what is not.

You are right, many of the photos looks like they were shot off to the side, and it really shows that there wasn't a lot of effort put into them which is depressing to see.

Many of your photos are either poorly composed, shot at a bad angle, or have the focus on the wrong part of the photo. Or all of thee above. No one should cringe when looking at wedding photos. But I did on some of them...Ugh Poor quality. This is the reason I NEVER buy Disney Photopass photos, those folks in Disney Photography have NO IDEA how to shot a photo.

BTW you where beautiful, flowers too. Glad to hear you had a professional photographer there to capture quality photos.

Jennifer

 

[rosworms]

Other than the posed photos (which I can understand how it can be difficult if there's more than one photographer... who do you look at?), I think the rest of them are beautiful... and if this collection of photos is considered crap, then I have to say that I have no concerns about my wedding because these are more beautiful than any photographer I could have afforded if I were getting married at home.

 

[donald&daisy]

I think the detail shots, some of the pics of just you, and a few of the candids are all very pretty. I see what you mean in some of them and I completely agree that he needs to keep his mouth shut!! there is no excusing that attitude--it just sounds like a very immature and unprofessional way to act. Oh, I also wanted to add that your flowers were gorgeous!

 

[geek+nerd]

I don't post often here... I was a Disney bride way back in Jan 2002! But I can't keep quiet, those photos STINK!

Now I am not a professional photographer, but my husband is, and I have enough experience to realize whats a decent photo and what is not.

You are right, many of the photos looks like they were shot off to the side, and it really shows that there wasn't a lot of effort put into them which is depressing to see.

Many of your photos are either poorly composed, shot at a bad angle, or have the focus on the wrong part of the photo. Or all of thee above. No one should cringe when looking at wedding photos. But I did on some of them...Ugh Poor quality. This is the reason I NEVER buy Disney Photopass photos, those folks in Disney Photography have NO IDEA how to shot a photo.

BTW you where beautiful, flowers too. Glad to hear you had a professional photographer there to capture quality photos.

Jennifer

Thank you for the compliments.

The pictures that get me the most are the ones where DH is headless. I am quite short, but if the guy had stood up from his seat, we could have gotten us both in the shots. We don't need a bunch of shots of me; I didn't marry myself. Sigh.

We actually bought the PhotoPass CD for our honeymoon, and to be honest with you, we love the pictures from it. We did feel that it was money well spent.

Oh and NO RESPONSE from Disney yet. That really gets me going.

 

[rosworms]

The pictures that get me the most are the ones where DH is headless.

ahh... yes. now that you have mentioned that part, i can totally see where you are coming from. i did not look at the pics that way because they weren't mine and i didn't know any of the people. but if i was looking at my pics and found barely any of myself and DF (DH by then i guess) together without one of us being cut off... i would be upset too.

 

[networktek]

im sorry to see you had a bad experince some of the pictures look really good

 

[Jilian]

I agree that some of those pictures are just unacceptable. I hate to insult the photographer but many of the pictures are shots of you all getting your picture taken by Randy - who wants those kind of pictures? I was reading on the resort forum a few weeks back and one of the Dis wedding people had a problem with the honeymoon room so they e-mailed Disney and linked to the complaint thread here. They seemed to have gotten an immediate response that they were pleased with. Maybe if Disney knew that many potential brides were reading less than stellar reviews of their photographers they would be more likely to do something about it. You shouldn't be charged for those pictures. Some were decent shots but most were just bad photography. It has nothing to do with you BTW, you were absolutely beautiful and radiant. I'm happy that you at least have some shots from Randy!