Dreams Studio - Carnival Radiance Review

[ashkir]

I finally had a chance to cruise on the Carnival Radiance (and holy crap that floor layout is confusing and jammed pack of stuff). While on it, I had a chance to meet with Marlon from Dreams Studio on the Carnival Radiance. He was standing in a hallway doing a great photoshoot and I loved what he was doing. He had an amazing attention to detail and was directing people well. So, I wanted him to take my photo. He told me he's a Dreams Studio photographer and his packages were different. 

 

I recently needed a headshot at my new job, thus, I decided hey, I might as well get some done now. Thus, I agreed to a 3 photo package from Dreams Studio as long as they were headshots I could use on LinkedIn and for my job. Words cannot adequately express how beyond happy I am with these photographs. I've never really liked photographs being taken of myself. I've had a heart transplant, grown up in hospitals, and have always had wild curly hair that was hard to tame. I was never fully satisfied with how I look. But, I knew I needed some headshots. Marlon put me at ease. 

 

Marlon immediately took photos, and spent well over an hour with me showing me how to pose. I have hearing aids that are visible as well. He took photos with them on and off. He ended up keeping most of it on, and I'm very pleased with that, because it is who I am. Marlon made me comfortable with how I look. I've had a long journey in my short-life and I'm trying my best to make it week-to-week sometimes. 

 

After the photography session got finished, he did show me some shots on his camera. He stated they look blurry because they're raw photographs. He gave me a reminder card to meet him the next day at 8 PM, 24 hours after I took the photos. Later on, I also received a reminder to my cabin with an example photo on it, to remind me of my appointment. 

 

8PM the next day came around. I went and met Marlon. He led me to a divided portion of the main atrium lobby. It was rather noisy, but, that's not his fault, it's Carnival's. Carnival lets the art team have 4 decks, libraries, and all the offices now, so the photographers are all crammed into a smaller place. The room was divided next to a bulkhead door, next to a hallway. We've had people randomly open the door to check what's in there to find the photography dreams studio room.

 

He played a slide-show with some nice music on a large tv screen. He spent time showing me each photograph. He had 8 photographs already printed on beautiful large matte fuji paper. He didn't give me any pressure. And asked if I liked them, or if I want to re-do anything. I said I was happy with it. I decided on the 3 photos package for $199. However, he then told me that the 5 package for $299 includes the digital copyright, and a digital copy of all of them. Since I wanted it for my professional headshots, I opted for this. 

 

This entire experience was very pleasant. He was very patient with me. He let me take as much time as I needed.

 

He stated he'd edit them further and have a thumb drive ready for me. I had to wait until 10 PM the next day for it.

 

Once it was 9:30 PM the next day (today!) I went back to the studio. He was already ready, waiting for me. Everything was packed nicely into a huge black envelope, with updated thicker paper, and matte prints. He fixed the lightning digitally to make everything smoother. He gave me full digital copies of the 5 I selected. In fact, he ended up just giving me every photograph so I ended up with all 8. 

 

In all, this was a huge difference of an experience of photography for me. I've always felt rushed. I always hated how I looked. I finally feel confident. I know I;m not the best looking person out there. But, my journey is my own.

 

Here's a few photos from Marlon! 

 

P.S. I have a doctorate in Business Admin, if anyone is hiring a remote operations manager that lets me work remotely on cruises and pays well enough to cruise, hire me lol! I'm honest and not afraid to give honest opinions! 

[ninjacat123]

ashkir, these are great headshots!! Marlon did a great job and you look relaxed and confident.  My family had a Dream Studio session on a cruise about 5 years ago and I will always treasure those photos.  A few years later, my husband and I had a quick session with a Dream Studio photographer and got three wonderful black and white photos that we have framed above our headboard.  Makes me smile every time I make the bed😊

Good luck on your career (on a cruise ship or not😉) and I hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season!!