Who did you have for photography? Recommendations needed!

[Fantasia Sam]

We had Ty for our MK portrait sesstion 2 weeks ago and he was great - it was a really cold morning so he made sure we kept warm while taking us various places to take pictures - incuding on the horses on the carousel! The photos were amazing - he took about 70 altogether and we have them on a high res cd (we're from the UK so it was included in the $800 - sorry but I have to point that out for other UK brides out there).

For our actual ceremony we had Mike from DPS for our opening shots inside the poly and he took some nice ones of my dress and my mickey necklace etc. We then switched to another photographer - Ryan from Total Imagery - we were fixed up with them through Virgin weddings and I cannot praise him enough we had great fun having the photos done and had fun as well as formal ones. He took about 140 altogether and we have them on cd - we paid extra for him to "photoshop" our album so we have some great effects on the pictures.

I agree with Sam about the formal album - it is hard to carry and I daren't take it to work - but I love it! I'm going to organise a digital album though so I'm glad I have the prints on cd.

RJ

RJ - Ty did a great job

And was that Mike Strickland that you had for your ceremony - there are a couple of Mike's but I thought I saw his profile in one of your shots on your blog?

 

[WDWbride2007]

OK...so I have fallen in love with Karla Fountain. She has yet to get back to my information request a few days ago. I know her prices start at 3K. It is a large chunk of my budget, but as I mentioned on my other thread...it is the #1 priority for me. I found in some old posts that fellow DIS brides have used her. I was wondering if anyone knew what was included in her packages. Do you get an engagement sitting? Do you get the negatives? Does she make albums? Although I wanted my DF to make the albums since he is a computer artist and graphic designer, he would rather not have to do it. How many hours of coverage? Will she come to a rehearsal dinner? In other words, any info would be appreciated. Oh...is it better to just call her or wait? Thanks!

 

[IrishCinderella]

OK...so I have fallen in love with Karla Fountain. She has yet to get back to my information request a few days ago. I know her prices start at 3K. It is a large chunk of my budget, but as I mentioned on my other thread...it is the #1 priority for me. I found in some old posts that fellow DIS brides have used her. I was wondering if anyone knew what was included in her packages. Do you get an engagement sitting? Do you get the negatives? Does she make albums? Although I wanted my DF to make the albums since he is a computer artist and graphic designer, he would rather not have to do it. How many hours of coverage? Will she come to a rehearsal dinner? In other words, any info would be appreciated. Oh...is it better to just call her or wait? Thanks!

We signed our contract with her just a couple of weeks ago! She will reply to your email, but if you want, I can email you most of the information she sent to me...*PM* with your email...BTW, when we met with her down in Florida, we found her to be so sweet and fun...I was expecting an "snobby artist" and I was so pleasantly surprised! Plus, we saw four of her albums in person, and they are just spectacular! I think even your DF would be impressed!

 

[rosiejo]

RJ - Ty did a great job

And was that Mike Strickland that you had for your ceremony - there are a couple of Mike's but I thought I saw his profile in one of your shots on your blog?

Not sure of his surname to be honest... but his profile is probably pretty recognisable! He was great though

 

[WDWbride2007]

After much deliberation and hours spent online, I am down to my top three choices: Karla Fountain, Randy Chapman, and Jeff Hawkins (in that order). I have seen tons of pics by Randy, but not many by Karla and Jeff. Does anyone have an online album of shots by either of these photographers? Alternatively, do you know of a website with photos? I have looked at every image on their sites, but would like to see more samples. Thanks again!!!

 

[WDWbride2007]

Just a website for anyone out there obsessed with photography like me...=)

http://www.wpja.com/wedding_photojournalists/local_wedding_photojournalism/fl_florida/index.htm

The Wedding Photojournalism Association only invites selected photographers to join their ranks. They also give out awards for outstanding photos. The link above is to the members that are available to shoot weddings in FL. I was very happy to see Karla Fountain recently won an award. Even if you aren't looking for a photographer, check out the site. There are amazing images!

 

[groomtb]

I too loved my experience with Randy, and had a pretty crummy experience with DPS for our MK photo shoot. After the MK photoshoot, I was very glad that I had book Randy for the wedding day.

That said, I agree with Sam - looking back on it, I wouldn't have forked out the money for the album with Randy. While I love my album, there are problems with it. First off, its huge and heavy so it spends most of its life sitting on a shelf in our living room. In addition, I was very surprised that Randy/Linda didn't alter the photos in anyway for the album (I will take partial responsibility for this complaint, as in an attempt to not turn into a bridezilla post wedding, I didn't specifically request changes made). For example, the one proof that I have of my dad walking me down the aisle has DH's aunt on one side of the picture and half of my boss' girlfriend on the other. I selected this photo for our album and it wasn't cropped at all, so my boss' girlfriend and DH's aunt fiddling with her camera are there forever. Also, there are other photos that should have been cropped or lightened some, etc, but the photo of me walking down the aisle is the most glaring of the mistakes. Here is a link to photos of our album so you can see what I am talking about. So in retrospect, I would have just taken the cd of all our randy photos and had an album made by someone else.

Thank you hmgolden, the Randy album is exactly what we're trying to find for comparison. We have no doubt he'll do a wonderful job for our wedding photo session, but the album he offers...we don't know..
it has a nice story style to it but I think my fiancee would want it more..'disney' i guess? probably will see about outsourcing the wedding album or make our own.

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Has anyone used Jeff Hawkins or Derek Smith from sunshine photographics? Thanks!

I thought Jeff Hawkins was waaaay overpriced! He's more than Disney even.

xoxo

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

After much deliberation and hours spent online, I am down to my top three choices: Karla Fountain, Randy Chapman, and Jeff Hawkins (in that order). I have seen tons of pics by Randy, but not many by Karla and Jeff. Does anyone have an online album of shots by either of these photographers? Alternatively, do you know of a website with photos? I have looked at every image on their sites, but would like to see more samples. Thanks again!!!

I am fairly certain Jeff Hawkins is the link. I thought he was waaaay overpriced.

xoxo

 

[pixie08]

We are also getting married in 2007 and have already had contact w/ photographers. I feel the same as you do about dps..I refuse to pay $3000 for a photographer I will not meet until the day of my wedding Only get a low res cd(as oppossed to high which is extra) and only one album(I also need 2 parents albums and extra prints). Now I am not saying people have not had good experiences with dps because some have...but I have also heard awful stories. Best thing to do is look at all the photographers work and see which you like. DPS is good if you can not meet your min then you may have to use dps. We personally are going with Randy. I love all his work and everyone I speak to can not say enough amazing things about him. We have spoken to him already and he is a doll and even sent us price list....good luck!

 

[flaccog]

We used Gary Fox for our October wedding. B/c our wedding was on a Friday, we got a little bit of a discount. For ten hours of coverage we paid $1,500 (I think is prices have gone up a little since then)and were VERY happy with our photos! Gary was great to work with, he made us feel at ease (as neither of us really liked having our picture taken) and got all the shots we wanted. During the reception he was there snapping photos everytime something "picture-worthy" happened. Within 72 hours our photos were on his website for ordering and we had our high res proof CD and 4x6 proofs when we got back from the honeymoon.

Here is the link to my photos:

http://www.gfoxfoto.com
Click "Enter" to enter website, Go to "Recent Events" and scroll down until you see Flacco/Saylor wedding 10/28.05.

Hope that helps!
Gina

 

[Laurafoster]

We are probably going to be using Randy - mostly because he is a middle of the road price but has a really good reputation. Whilst the DPS pics recently are beautiful! im just not 100% happy with not being able to choose a photographer!

 

[groomtb]

need a backup plan very soon incase Randy Chapman isn't availible...

Can anyone recommend other photographers that's affordable and great as Randy?

Thanks

 

[princessblueeyzes]

need a backup plan very soon incase Randy Chapman isn't availible...

Can anyone recommend other photographers that's affordable and great as Randy?

Thanks

There was a new post tonight about another photographer here on the Reception Options for Intimate Brides thread. I hope Melichar you don't mind me posting this here.

Melichar stated in the ROFIB thread:

"Also, regarding photograhers, we have booked Damon Tucci. We met him on this trip and loved him, and his work is amazing, very beautiful, elegant and stylish, and I think his prices are around the same range as Randy Chapman. We tried to book Randy at first, but he wasn't available. I am happy we are going with Damon, he isn't mentioned as much a Randy, but his work is outstanding."

 

[groomtb]

There was a new post tonight about another photographer here on the Reception Options for Intimate Brides thread. I hope Melichar you don't mind me posting this here.

Melichar stated in the ROFIB thread:

"Also, regarding photograhers, we have booked Damon Tucci. We met him on this trip and loved him, and his work is amazing, very beautiful, elegant and stylish, and I think his prices are around the same range as Randy Chapman. We tried to book Randy at first, but he wasn't available. I am happy we are going with Damon, he isn't mentioned as much a Randy, but his work is outstanding."

Thank you, found his website...will do some research

 

[princessblueeyzes]

you're welcome. Hope things all work out for you.

 

[FutureAshleyDukes]

need a backup plan very soon incase Randy Chapman isn't availible...

Can anyone recommend other photographers that's affordable and great as Randy?

Thanks

I was also going to recommend Damon Tucci, and he's a itty bit cheaper then Randy. Only by $50.

 

[Laurafoster]

personally i really love the work DPS has done recently - it just gets me how much more expensive they are compared to the others.

 

[groomtb]

I was also going to recommend Damon Tucci, and he's a itty bit cheaper then Randy. Only by $50.

I must have gotten a different quote from Damon! it started from $3000 lol

But I was able to book Randy afterall so it's all good now

 

[princessblueeyzes]

I must have gotten a different quote from Damon! it started from $3000 lol

But I was able to book Randy afterall so it's all good now

so glad you were able to book Randy. Gald it all worked out for you