Dreams Studio Review

Hi! I wanted to provide my Dreams Studio experience from aboard the Carnival Pride this past August 2017. Prior to going, I searched EVERYWHERE for information but found very little, so I hope this helps others.

A little background. DH and I are long time loyal Carnival cruisers and we work diligently on making all of our friends and family cruise addicts too! And yes, I am also a long time Cruise Critic lurker. I love reading the posts, and only add when I think I have something additional to bring to the table.

To begin, the Dreams Studio was WONDERFUL from start to finish and then the product itself was AMAZING. Did it cost a lot? Well, yes and no. I’ll explain more later.

When we boarded the Pride, I found a photographer in the lobby promoting the Dreams Studio.(This was before Carnival added the Dreams Studio to the booking option online) I didn’t ask him about pricing as I was focused on selecting our studio time to coincide with our anniversary. DH and I were celebrating our 25th anniversary and I was DETERMINED to have pictures taken on the same day – like revisiting our wedding day pics :hearteyes: Anyway, not only did the photographer sign us up for the day I requested, he also offered a 2nd day of photos to be taken at Grand Turk. Of course-as there is no sitting fee and we love Grand Turk! I loved the idea of dressing up and walking around the ship on our actual anniversary and then the next day dressing more casually at the beach.

The photographer gave us a reminder card, and then another reminder card came to our cabin the day before our pictures were to be taken.

Pic Day #1 We arrived for our appointment and met our INCREDIBLE photographer, Edwin Garcia. He talked to us about what we were looking for and then he led us to the hallway outside the piano bar on the Pride and took our first pictures where the couches and candelabras are. We then went into the piano bar and took a few more pictures. I had promised myself to enjoy this experience with DH,and Edwin was amazing at allowing that to happen. DH asked if we could take some photos in the chapel which Edwin quickly agreed to. We then went to the incredible staircase outside the Taj Mahal (main lounge), but our favorite pics came from outside. It was super windy as we were traveling down the Atlantic and I was certain that we looked messy and terribly windblown only to find out later that these were our favorite pics! We had spent almost an hour with Edwin.

Pic Day #2 We met Edwin in the lobby and he gave us a VIP escort off the ship into Grand Turk. As you face the cruise terminal and EVERYTHING (including Jack’s Shack and Margaritaville) is to your left – we went to the RIGHT. Turns out there is a nice, quiet beach bar and we began taking pictures on a beautiful greenery filled pathway and then at some palm trees. We ended up at a small pier, at some rocks, and finally in the water. We had so much fun! I was literally grinning from ear to ear. DH said he could never be a super model because it was exhausting LOL! Edwin was with us again for almost an hour. After we were finished taking pictures, he told us that he would send us an appointment time to review everything on the last morning at sea. A few days later we received our appointment card.

Review Time – We were greeted by Edwin and brought into his office. There was a large TV screen hanging near his computer and then he seated us at the leather couch across the TV. DH and I had joked about the “hard sell” that was coming. ;) I told DH not to worry because I would NEVER spend money on pictures of us that I didn’t like. I mean really? Who would do that?

Edwin said that he had prepared a video of our pictures and then afterwards he would show us the mock up book that he made, and then we would get down to the money talk. Well….. the video started and my husband and I of 25 years began crying! The photos were amazing and captured EVEN MORE than we could have dreamed. Our bank account was immediately OPEN :loudcry: But then, Edwin showed us a 30 page book that was even more AMAZING (I know- I need to find some new superlatives:p) We wanted it ALL!

Honestly, this is where I feel bad. I truly wanted to provide anyone else looking at Dream Studios with the full picture of what happens but I was so emotional that I forgot to take a pic ofthe price sheet. I do apologize.

I had heard that it could be easily over $1000 so I had prepared my husband for that. We ended up happily (TRULY-both of us) spending $1200 for the 30 page book, a thumb drive with all 110 pics and video, and a canvas. Edwin had us pick out the exact photos that we wanted for the book and provide the wording for the book and the video.The only thing we didn’t purchase was prints which I have had beautifully done through Shutterfly. We were able to pick everything up later that night.

I know that some feel as though the Dreams Studio is overpriced but I disagree. Here’s why. The Dreams Studio is for special occasions and you spend big money on special occasions. Right? In major cities, sitting fees with experienced photographers can easily be $250 per hour, and I didn’t even pay a sitting fee. And the location and product was equal to an engagement shoot. Also, I never have that good of a tan in family pictures taken at home!:cool:

My last thought is this. We had an incredible time but there were only 2 of us and we were both adults. I have seen some amazing family Dreams Studio pictures but I do believe that the experience is not nearly as good when a large crowd or small children are involved.

Hope this has helped those looking for more Dreams Studio info.I’m happy to answer questions.

h1xmdu-yio4

Beautiful couple! Definitely worth the expense!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

1) you're gorgeous

2) y'all don't look old enough to be married for 25 years!

Thanks for sharing the video!

Thank you so much for posting this!! I have been looking for details about this option. Do you happen to remember if there was an option to purchase just the flash drive with the pictures on it? And did you receive a copyright release along with the jump drive? Thank you! I'll definitely keep this in mind for future big events.

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

Thank you so much for posting this!! I have been looking for details about this option. Do you happen to remember if there was an option to purchase just the flash drive with the pictures on it? And did you receive a copyright release along with the jump drive? Thank you! I'll definitely keep this in mind for future big events.

Photo release

https://help.carnival.com/ci/fattach/get/1129848/1489670375/redirect/1/filename/Photo%20Release.pdf

Excellent report and also enjoyed the video.

Keith

You make such a beautiful couple. Thank you for sharing with us.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I'm so glad you had a great experience. We were appalled at the prices - $2,000 for our book and 30 photos on a thumb drive. When we said we couldn't afford that we got the run around. We ended up purchasing four 8x10 photos for $50 each. It felt like high pressure sales to me. And the four we purchased were because we were told we could have two at a certain price. If they had given us a price sheet beforehand we could have decided. The experience was fabulous and the photos were perfect. But I didn't budget $2 grand for photos - although it was our 25th wedding anniversary too (and we cried like you!!!) and I was willing to pay more than we did. But I just didn't get enough options. It felt like they wanted you to spend $2,000 or you got nothing. In fact, the photographer pulled out a second sheet after we were adamant we couldn't spend $2,000.

When I booked online I had an option that said we could schedule pictures. I never saw that option again and I called Carnival who told me that never was an option. I know it was...

I was very pleased with our photos too....

A perfect description of value over cost. Gorgeous pictures and Mazel!

We used the Dreams studio years ago when it was pretty new and the only advertising was one 11x14ish photo in the photo area. We did it as a way to pass time on a rainy sea day. We never expected the artist quality that we received. This is the first time that we have ever had photos of my husband and I that we felt truly captured how we feel about one another. Our entire relationship in a snap shot. We never planned to, but spent 300 on 10 8x10s. We said no at first and after thinking it over decided that although it was a lot of money (to us) that it was still just money. That album is very special to us as Im sure it will be to our kids someday, especially since we dont stop for many photos.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Forums mobile app

Thank you so much for posting this!! I have been looking for details about this option. Do you happen to remember if there was an option to purchase just the flash drive with the pictures on it? And did you receive a copyright release along with the jump drive? Thank you! I'll definitely keep this in mind for future big events.

I'm not the OP but yes, we just bought the jump drive with one picture on it for I think around 70 bucks. It came with a photo release on the drive and we made several copies for family and friends when we got home. They WANT you to buy more but they will sell you one or a few. They took a lot of pics and our photographer really new what she was doing. We had a hard time settling on one pic but we managed.

Thank you so much for posting this!! I have been looking for details about this option. Do you happen to remember if there was an option to purchase just the flash drive with the pictures on it? And did you receive a copyright release along with the jump drive? Thank you! I'll definitely keep this in mind for future big events.

As some others have said, yes, we did receive a copyright release. I didn’t need it as I loaded all of the photos to our Dropbox and then to Shutterfly for the ones I wanted to print.

Also, I believe there was an option for the flash drive by itself but sadly don’t remember. The price we paid was for the 30 page book (which is truly incredible!) and the photographer “threw in” the flash drive, video, and canvas. It appears that each photographer has some freedom in how they sell things. I think if you know what you want (ie just the flash drive), the photographer is likely to work out a deal.

I'm so glad you had a great experience. We were appalled at the prices - $2,000 for our book and 30 photos on a thumb drive. When we said we couldn't afford that we got the run around. We ended up purchasing four 8x10 photos for $50 each. It felt like high pressure sales to me. And the four we purchased were because we were told we could have two at a certain price. If they had given us a price sheet beforehand we could have decided. The experience was fabulous and the photos were perfect. But I didn't budget $2 grand for photos - although it was our 25th wedding anniversary too (and we cried like you!!!) and I was willing to pay more than we did. But I just didn't get enough options. It felt like they wanted you to spend $2,000 or you got nothing. In fact, the photographer pulled out a second sheet after we were adamant we couldn't spend $2,000.

 

When I booked online I had an option that said we could schedule pictures. I never saw that option again and I called Carnival who told me that never was an option. I know it was...

 

I was very pleased with our photos too....

Love your photo! Congrats on your 25th too!

I agree that it would be beneficial to let people know up front the pricing of the pictures. I had budgeted $1500 and ended up spending less BUT I understand what you are saying. The price sheet I saw had listings for individual 8x10s all the way up to $2k for the books, prints, canvas, and metal sheet. I just knew that I wanted the book :-)

Thank You for the incredibly nice compliments!

DH thinks I should relay the importance of these pictures. The story is that our actual wedding photos were terrible! The photographer had bought a new flash that he had never tried and this was 25 years ago - no digital previews:loudcry:. So our indoor weddings photos are very very dark and grainy. The photographer felt so bad he gave my parents their money back along with the negatives. This time, we were going to get good photos! :hearteyes:

We loved our photos. We bought just eight 8x10s after they tried to sell us a $2000+ package. It was hard to narrow it down, but we got some beautiful family pictures.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I just got off the Carnival Glory and was intrigued with Dreams studio, came to search for other people's experienec. Wife, baby and I were taking photos against the regular backdrops on formal night. Our photographer introduced us to another photographer and said we can get a free session. I have my own DSLR, have backdrops at home to photograph our baby so know a bit more than the average joe when it comes to photography (but by no means a professional).

I asked about pricing up front and the photographer gave us the price sheet. $35 per print, pricing for the packaging was ridiculous. We had a great time and our baby was cooperative. ...we walked away with 3 awesome prints. Her camera and setup is much better than what you get with the photogaphers that just do the backgrounds. Honestly, we loved every pic (about 40) but no way we'd buy then all. I tried to negotiate and she said if we bought 5, she'd give us 1 free.

Having said that - you could easily make an appointment with JcPenney photo studio and get similar quality and for much cheaper price and have access to the digital photos for reprints (I did JcPenney for our daughter's 1 year old birthday, found a groupon).

She did do some touchups upon our request. We found that the photographer (or someone...) that did our photos upstairs touched up our photo, so we requested she did it too.

They usually do the photos in black and white it seems..but we requested color prints. You can always scan it and convert to black and white if that's what we want.

Thanks for the review.

Edwin is a great person and he did great with my two small kids during our photo shoot. The pricing is a shock and my wife and I ended up only purchasing 5 8x12s at $35 a piece. We really wanted to photo book but were not in a position to afford it.

We just did this in January on another line. When we made the appointment they told us it would be 500.00....after all was done they quoted us 3600.00.....heart attack!!!! And that was with no book!!! We asked how much for just the thumb drive with all the images....1600.00. Because the family photo was our Christmas present to our parents we needed the family image...we paid the 1600.00 for all the images to get the one color we needed to have a canvas made...the type we needed was not an option! Got home put the drive in the computer and the one picture we wanted to use was not on it.....happy to say we finally got it today from the company! We do have all the images.....I keep telling myself that having all the pictures of the entire family together is priceless....lol. About 1000.00 more than we expected and we felt super backed into a corner. I wish I would have found this review BEFORE we went! I would have been prepared for the cost!

Please Help! I have called Carnival and tried reading so many reviews.  I was thinking of this as an option for my daughters Senior Pictures.  I could not get an answer as to the fact that she may be able to change outfits.  I just keep getting told if it is in the time frame they don't see why not.  I would like to pay for this now before we go, (4 free pics are 4 free pics) but I don't want to prepay for something I do not have info to.  I asked Carnival for Dream Studios Contact info and was informed they can not find any.  Does anyone have any additional information that can help me decide on this? Please and Thank you!

We have done 2 Dream Studio sessions, but never have changed outfits during the session.  The session does move at a reasonable clip but if it's one change, I don't see why they wouldn't allow it.  Multiple changes might not be accommodated.  I think Dream Studios is an awesome way to have Senior Pictures done!  When is your cruise? BTW, welcome to Cruise Critic!