How long did you wait for your engagment pictures?

[acwinsett]

I can speak for my experience with Misty and tell you that she was committed to perfection during our engagement photos. She had the same type of passion for her work that my sweetie has for directing video. She took more time than I thought she would, she made sure that every hair was in place during every shot (and I have a LOT of hair to manage!) Our photos took a few weeks to be posted, and we had so many of them (like 800-something) to choose from. And while I didn't LOVE every single one of them, it wasn't due to photography mistakes. And there are so many that I DID love, it took awhile for us to choose our favorites for the guest book.

We got the CD-only package and it was well worth the money. Misty and Nelio are very fun and l look forward to working with them in December!!!

 

[MainStMandy]

I am with Dawn on Misty. I adored her and her husband Nelio. They were so much fun. Bobby and I still talk to them to this day. I know Dawn still talks to them too. They are like friends. I am not sure if she still does but she did offer a discount to Disney brides.

Thanks!! Both your's and Dawns pictures are just beautiful!

I feel so terrible for you guys. I would be so upset too. It shouldn't matter if they were engagement or wedding pictures. They are still important to you and you were still paying for his time and services, so they should have been taken just as seriously. Especially given that he is hired to be your wedding photographer, I would think he should try even harder to make sure you were happy and to answer your emails.

I'm glad that you are finding other photographers are still available and I hope it all works out. I know it's stressful now but at least now you can do something about it. I hope it all works out.

I will be less stressed once I talk to Randy and get it sorted. I don't mind so much having to find someone else. But my problem is, Randy gets such good reviews here and look what I got...how do I know for the wedding!

I can speak for my experience with Misty and tell you that she was committed to perfection during our engagement photos. She had the same type of passion for her work that my sweetie has for directing video. She took more time than I thought she would, she made sure that every hair was in place during every shot (and I have a LOT of hair to manage!) Our photos took a few weeks to be posted, and we had so many of them (like 800-something) to choose from. And while I didn't LOVE every single one of them, it wasn't due to photography mistakes. And there are so many that I DID love, it took awhile for us to choose our favorites for the guest book.

We got the CD-only package and it was well worth the money. Misty and Nelio are very fun and l look forward to working with them in December!!!

Thank you for your review of Misty. I am still looking around but she sounds wonderful. I have talked to a few other photographers as well.

I have updated my PJ with good and bad pics from Randy.

 

[Donald'sGirl]

Mandy did you ever stop to think your cd might be corrupted and distorting the images on the cd? Before you go bashing Randy around on the internet you should wait and talk with him. You CANNOT give an accurate opinion on someone's work on 5 pictures. Randy a fantastic photographer who has done thousands of Disney wedddings to a ton of happy brides. I suggest you take a little closer look at his work and speak with him about it before you write something on these boards.

 

[MainStMandy]

Mandy did you ever stop to think your cd might be corrupted and distorting the images on the cd? Before you go bashing Randy around on the internet you should wait and talk with him. You CANNOT give an accurate opinion on someone's work on 5 pictures. Randy a fantastic photographer who has done thousands of Disney wedddings to a ton of happy brides. I suggest you take a little closer look at his work and speak with him about it before you write something on these boards.

I CAN give an accurate opinion after looking at the FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY images he sent. The CD is not distorted in anyway, this is just bad photographer. I have not personally attacked Randy in anyway...the pictures I have recieved were terrible. He was a very nice person but MY experience with him has not been great. He has shown that he can be unprofessional. Bottom line is the quality of pictures is not something I am comfortable with and other Brides deserve to hear both sides of it. I have posted some of the pictures I have received so people can make their own judgements.

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

I'm sorry Mandy but I agree with you. You are entitled to your opinion also and can say so on the message board if you want to. I personally think Randy's work sucks. That is my opinion. I think you need to be happy with your pictures and not worry about what other people say to you. I agree with you. You did say that some of his pictures were nice but if you can only come out with a few nice pictures out of 450, there is something wrong there. It's fine for people to bash other vendors on here but god forbid you say anything about Randy The Great!

 

[rebecca_boo]

I am sorry you are unhappy with your pictures. It almost seems like he knew they weren't good and has just been trying to avoid you, of course that is just my silly opinion and thought.
Also I just wanted to say Mandy should beable to have her opinion, with everything there is going to be good reviews and bad reviews and people just need to suck it up. Nobody is perfect not even Randy

 

[MainStMandy]

I just updated my PJ but thought I would update here as well. I just spoke with Randy and he was very upset. He didn't understand what I didn't like and thought they were fine...although he offered to do editing later in our conversation. He asked me several times to give him a second chance, but I am not willing to take that risk! I feel bad, but ultimately this is a service I am paying for, and I'm not being unreasonable or picky. Even if HALF the pictures came out good...why would I pay for something and receive HALF (although we received less than that!).

Toni and Rebecca thank you!! I am not trying to be mean or harsh. Randy seems like a nice guy. BUT other couples should be aware when things like this happen.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I'm sorry that you weren't happy with your photos. I do think you should go with your gut in terms of getting a new photog. I can tell you from experience. When I got married 9 years ago we didn't do an engagement shoot (I don't think they were as common) so the first pictures of us that I saw from our photographer were our wedding pictures and I was so disappointed. I still remember how my stomach sank when I went through the proof book the first time. There wasn't one single shot DH and I alone that I loved. It still upsets me to this day.

Back then everything was done as printed proofs so we didn't get copies of every single picture taken. This was good and bad, I suppose. We didn't have to weed through the bad shots but on the other hand, I sometimes wonder about the pics that didn't make the cut. Maybe I would've liked some of those better, kwim? It's hard when someone else picks which version they think you look the best in.

Anyway, like I said, go with your gut! I hope it all works out .

 

[bjgrazi]

You're not being mean or harsh or bashing him all over the internet. As you can see both here and your PJ people (person) have said they weren't happy with his work.

You have to do what is best for you. You have a right to give an honest opinion and you did.

As far as him owning up to his bad work, he won't so don't expect him to. He will defend what he did. He's trying to keep you and your money. Again, do what's best for you.

 

[ILoveAriel]

If you wanted a photographer who edited every single picture, you should not have picked Randy in the first place. Did you not make yourself familiar with his work before you chose him and gave him your deposit money?

 

[sillykaren]

I'm sorry Mandy but I agree with you. You are entitled to your opinion also and can say so on the message board if you want to. I personally think Randy's work sucks. That is my opinion. I think you need to be happy with your pictures and not worry about what other people say to you. I agree with you. You did say that some of his pictures were nice but if you can only come out with a few nice pictures out of 450, there is something wrong there. It's fine for people to bash other vendors on here but god forbid you say anything about Randy The Great!

I second what Toni said! Don't listen to everyone else. This is YOUR special day. You need to be happy with your photos. I'm glad you shared your experience so other brides have a chance to see both sides of things.

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

If you wanted a photographer who edited every single picture, you should not have picked Randy in the first place. Did you not make yourself familiar with his work before you chose him and gave him your deposit money?

Apparently he did not edit any photos for her... he did not even look at them until they discussed this issue on the phone today. The CD was just sent out.

 

[MainStMandy]

I'm sorry that you weren't happy with your photos. I do think you should go with your gut in terms of getting a new photog. I can tell you from experience. When I got married 9 years ago we didn't do an engagement shoot (I don't think they were as common) so the first pictures of us that I saw from our photographer were our wedding pictures and I was so disappointed. I still remember how my stomach sank when I went through the proof book the first time. There wasn't one single shot DH and I alone that I loved. It still upsets me to this day.

Back then everything was done as printed proofs so we didn't get copies of every single picture taken. This was good and bad, I suppose. We didn't have to weed through the bad shots but on the other hand, I sometimes wonder about the pics that didn't make the cut. Maybe I would've liked some of those better, kwim? It's hard when someone else picks which version they think you look the best in.

Anyway, like I said, go with your gut! I hope it all works out .

At this point the whole thing is just uncomfortable. I don't think he reacted well (or professional) to our phone call. He just keeps insisting nothings wrong with them. I understand he wants to stand by his work, but I am the one paying for them. Thanks for your opinions

You're not being mean or harsh or bashing him all over the internet. As you can see both here and your PJ people (person) have said they weren't happy with his work.

You have to do what is best for you. You have a right to give an honest opinion and you did.

As far as him owning up to his bad work, he won't so don't expect him to. He will defend what he did. He's trying to keep you and your money. Again, do what's best for you.

I don't expect him to...but I guess I expected him to let it go at some point. We aren't happy...period. Sorry we don't agree but that's the way it is. I know he makes a lot of people happy.

If you wanted a photographer who edited every single picture, you should not have picked Randy in the first place. Did you not make yourself familiar with his work before you chose him and gave him your deposit money?

Apparently he did not edit any photos for her... he did not even look at them until they discussed this issue on the phone today. The CD was just sent out.

Thanks Sarah...you answered before I did. Randy didn't edit ANYTHING...he didn't know my pictures were mailed nor did he see them before they went out. That's not ok.

I second what Toni said! Don't listen to everyone else. This is YOUR special day. You need to be happy with your photos. I'm glad you shared your experience so other brides have a chance to see both sides of things.

I appreciate everyone's opinions and stories, but after going through those pictures we formed our opionion. And it's OK if we don't like his work... I know a lot of people love his work..but it turns out a lot of people don't

 

[MyMelody]

Just read your entire PJ today from the beginning to the end...
Love some of your ideas!! Everything sounds like it's coming together... It will be here before you know it so ENJOY it!!!

On another note about your pics from Randy, I am glad he decided to refund you... It's one less thing for you to worry about

I think you need to find the right photographer to DO what you expect.
You need to express your expectations!! Tell them what YOU want if you are so picky, you call your shots!!

I am saying this cause every photographer has a style that is unique to them! Just like Misty, The Roots who have a style of their own so does Randy!! I have seen magical pictures by Misty like Dawn's , Nikki's and Toni's who love her style.. I have also seen Carrie's amazing pictures by The Roots!! That does not take away from Christina's, Cam's, Amanda's and Lynn's amazing pictures done by Randy!!!


On that note what I am trying to say is that making comments on a public forum about Randy without speaking to him first to solve your issue, I think is wrong!

You could have used many words to say you did not like your pictures but saying things like he is unprofessional because he is standing behind his work.. Wouldn't you if that was your style??
You also said you are not confident in his skills or abilities...
I think after many years, he has skills and abilities!
Are you trying to say because you did not like your E pics, that the many brides he has taken pictures of thier pictures were no good?? Think about that..

I understand you are upset but I also think you should have contacted him first before coming on here and posting...

You were already unhappy with your hair, which is NOT Randy's fault..
So overall you were not going to be happy with your pictures cause you were not happy with the way you looked...

 

[bjgrazi]

On that note what I am trying to say is that making comments on a public forum about Randy without speaking to him first to solve your issue, I think is wrong!

You could have used many words to say you did not like your pictures but saying things like he is unprofessional because he is standing behind his work.. Wouldn't you if that was your style??
You also said you are not confident in his skills or abilities...
I think after many years, he has skills and abilities!
Are you trying to say because you did not like your E pics, that the many brides he has taken pictures of thier pictures were no good?? Think about that..

I understand you are upset but I also think you should have contacted him first before coming on here and posting...

You were already unhappy with your hair, which is NOT Randy's fault..
So overall you were not going to be happy with your pictures cause you were not happy with the way you looked...

I think what she was trying to say and did say, she's not confident with him as her photographer. That is her choice and she is allowed to voice that opinion. No where did she put down anyone's experiences with him. She even went on to say that she thought he was very nice, just not for her.

No one is great all the time. Brides here should see the bad and the good, it helps them make an informed choice. There were a few other brides who actually came out and said they were less than happy with him also. It happens.

 

[Donald'sGirl]

There were a few other brides who actually came out and said they were less than happy with him also. It happens.

Except those brides didn't use Randy and the ones that commented on not liking him is because they don't like his style and looked around for a photographer who was more there style which is what you should do.

 

[MainStMandy]

Not once did I say I expected ALL the pics edited...what I did expect was a few edited...he didn't edit, he didn't review and the original pictures were not good enough to stand on their own.

You don't have to wish anyone LUCK dealing with me...my df is on the same page with me about the quality of the pictures we received. I do have a knowledge of photography (basic)...so does my MOH and my father. It doesn't take an expert to see that these pictures were bad.

I really take offense to the personal attack I have recieved. No one has to agree with me, but I am entitiled to my opinion and to share our experience. I haven't bad mouthed Randy personally...we weren't satisfied with the quality of the work we paid for. Period. This board is to help brides out...I have learned a lot about Disney weddings and I hope others do the same. Both positive and negative reviews are posted here often. We are entitled to our opinions.

 

[MyMelody]

You are right not all photographers take 100% pictures but saying they have no ability and skills is shooting words on a personal level...


I agree if Randy is not for her than go ahead and get someone else but to bash him on a personal level is harsh....

 

[MainStMandy]

I think what she was trying to say and did say, she's not confident with him as her photographer. That is her choice and she is allowed to voice that opinion. No where did she put down anyone's experiences with him. She even went on to say that she thought he was very nice, just not for her.

No one is great all the time. Brides here should see the bad and the good, it helps them make an informed choice. There were a few other brides who actually came out and said they were less than happy with him also. It happens.

Thank you! You said that very well.

Except those brides didn't use Randy and the ones that commented on not liking him is because they don't like his style and looked around for a photographer who was more there style which is what you should do.

We didn't go into this knowing Randy wasn't our style. From what we had previously seen we really liked his photography.

 

[bjgrazi]

Except those brides didn't use Randy and the ones that commented on not liking him is because they don't like his style and looked around for a photographer who was more there style which is what you should do.

Yes, I think they did. I know for a fact one of them did.

You like him I get it, you're happy with him, that's great. Others have their opinion, they're allowed.

No need to bash her and get nasty because she has her opinion. She's allowed, just like you.