Limelight Photography 2026 Team Retreat: Learning, Creating & Connecting

From August 14–16, 2026, the Limelight Photography team gathered in Odessa, Florida for our annual team retreat… three days dedicated to learning, creating, connecting, and continuing to grow together as a team.
As a Florida wedding photography and videography team, we believe that becoming better creatives means never stopping the learning process. This year's retreat focused on the how: how we can create more consistently, communicate better, support one another, and continue raising the standard for the couples who trust us with their wedding days.

Golden Hour Training at Lake Dan Nature Preserve

One of the highlights of the weekend was our on-site photography, videography and content creation training at Lake Dan on Saturday evening.
We opened a model call to couples from different parts of the Limelight community,  including past clients, current and upcoming clients, and couples who had never worked with us before. More than 30 couples responded, and we ultimately selected three couples to join us for an evening of shooting, experimenting, and learning.
Each couple was photographed by different members of our creative team, allowing our photographers and content creators to practice posing, lighting, composition, and storytelling in a real-world setting.
And while the session was part of our training, the couples brought something even more meaningful to the experience: their stories.

Ann & Bobby: A Full-Circle Limelight Story

Ann and Bobby's story brought us all the way back to 2009.
They have been married for 17 years, and we originally photographed their wedding on August 1, 2009, with Sarah McDonald as their photographer. Since their wedding day, they hadn't had professional photographs taken together.
Their story began long before their wedding. They first knew each other as teenagers, became friends, dated, spent some time apart, and eventually found their way back to one another.
Getting to photograph them again after 17 years was an incredibly special full-circle moment, especially during a year when Limelight is celebrating 20 years.
It was a beautiful reminder of how wedding photography can become part of a couple's story long after the wedding day is over.

Monique & Terrence: Love Through Every Season

Monique and Terrence are celebrating 10 years together this October. Their relationship began at church, and over the years, they have continued to choose one another through different seasons of life.
Their story is a reminder that a photograph doesn't have to capture only the easy moments. Sometimes, the most meaningful images are the ones that celebrate everything a couple has experienced and grown through together.
We also discovered that Monique is a Tampa-based hairstylist and makeup artist, making her a fellow wedding-industry creative. It was especially fun connecting with someone who understands the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating beautiful wedding days for couples.
Their golden-hour session was a beautiful celebration of their relationship, their journey, and the life they've built together.

Vanessa & Jackson: A Fresh Perspective

Vanessa and Jackson brought a younger, fresh energy to our model call. As an engaged couple, we loved the opportunity to photograph a new generation of couples and explore how our team can create imagery that feels natural, genuine, and current.
We had noticed through social media that they were already comfortable in front of the camera, but we didn't know we'd discover another Limelight connection once we arrived.
Vanessa and Jackson happened to be mutuals with some of our photographers from their university days — a fun surprise that made the evening feel even more connected.
They were incredibly easy to photograph and spent much of their session working with our content creation team, bringing a playful and relaxed energy to the shoot.

More Than a Photography Training Session

What began as a model call became one of our favorite parts of the 2026 retreat.
Three couples. Three different stories. Three different seasons of life.
And behind every camera was a Limelight creative learning from another Limelight creative.
After 20 years of photographing weddings and events throughout Florida, we know there is always more to learn. Our photographers, cinematographers, content creators, editors, and leadership team came together not only to improve our craft, but to learn from one another.
Our couples may see one photographer or filmmaker on their wedding day, but behind that person is an entire team committed to creating, communicating, and growing together.

We are incredibly grateful to Ann & Bobby, Monique & Terrence, and Vanessa & Jackson for trusting us with this evening and becoming part of our 2026 Limelight story.

Here's to 20 years — and to everything still ahead. ♥

Love,
Rebecca, Zairah & Dafne

Limelight Photographers:
Adrian Nguyen
Aysia Pagan
Courtney Borges
Jackie Pizio
Jalyssa Ellis
Jeff Mitchell
Makaila Sisneros
Natalia Fontes
Oleksandr Nakonechnyi
Tatyana Bradley

BJ + Madison Step Into The Limelight | Museum of Fine Arts | St. Pete, FL

A Downtown St. Petersburg Scavenger Hunt Proposal | BJ + Madison

Downtown St. Petersburg provided a beautiful canvas for BJ and Madison’s surprise proposal. It was a thoughtfully orchestrated morning of personal landmarks, subtle clues, and the people who shaped their story.

Madison believed she was simply heading to a 10 a.m. brunch at Juno & the Peacock. Instead, the morning unfolded a carefully designed journey. BJ orchestrated a scavenger hunt path, built from handwritten notes and small instructions leading her through a city that already held so much meaning.

The first surprise arrived at Juno & the Peacock, where Rae, her mom, and Marley, her sister, were waiting to surprise her. Madison had no idea any of them would be there.

Their note led her to Ceviche, a place where their love story began. There, Jess, her childhood best friend from Ohio, was also waiting to surprise her. She handed her a note along with a ticket to the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg and a map directing her to the sculpture garden.

As Madison followed the map, the morning’s carefully crafted sequence led her to the sculpture garden, inside the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg.

When Madison entered the garden, BJ was there waiting. They hugged, laughed, and in that moment everything slowed down. BJ then got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.

After the proposal, museum staff invited them to a private meeting with a featured artist and a glass of champagne, offering a quiet pause in the whirlwind.

BJ and Madison arrived at Birch & Vine, where family and friends were waiting in a private room, glasses raised in celebration as they entered.

Afterward, we made our way across the street to Straub Park for group portraits with family and friends. We then finished the morning with one final image in front of Juno & the Peacock, bringing the entire journey full circle.

Congratulations to BJ and Madison. We were privileged to be part of your story.

Lead Photographer | Jeff Mitchell

Carly + Kevin Step Into The Limelight | Fort De Soto | St. Petersburg, FL

Beach Views, Historic Forts, and Sweet Moments | Carly + Kevin

Carly and Kevin’s engagement session took place at Fort De Soto, just south of St. Petersburg. It’s one of my favorite locations for beach sessions because of how much variety it offers in a relatively small area. Between the historic fort, waterfront views, pathways, pier, and beach, every part of the park brings something different to the photos.

We started along one of the pathways leading toward the beach before heading up onto the fort itself for a few photos overlooking the water. From there, we made our way to the other side of the park where the scenery shifts again, with a pier, rocky shoreline, and open Gulf views.

Carly and Kevin moved to Dunedin last October and are getting married a year later this October at Shephard’s Beach Resort in Clearwater.

Fort De Soto was the perfect place for this session. It gave us a mix of backdrops that kept things feeling fresh and fun throughout the evening, and matched their energy really well as we moved through each area.

After spending the evening with them, I’m really looking forward to seeing them again and photographing their wedding day this October. It was an easygoing session from start to finish, and they made it simple to just enjoy the time and capture them as they are together.

Lead Photographer | Jeff Mitchell

Location | Fort De Soto

Kayla + Eric Step Into The Limelight | The Don CeSar | St. Pete, FL

A Little Rain, A Lot of Joy | Kayla & Eric’s Beachside Wedding

Kayla and Eric’s wedding at the iconic The Don CeSar felt less like a wedding and more like the kind of movie you never want to end. The kind where everyone is laughing too loud, dancing barefoot, hugging every five minutes, and pretending they are “just going to have one drink” before somehow ending up on the dance floor until the very last song.

From the second I arrived, I could already feel it, this wasn’t going to be one of those overly serious, perfectly posed weddings where everyone is afraid to wrinkle their clothes. This was joy. Real joy. The kind that fills a room instantly and makes even the vendors feel like family by the end of the night. As a photographer, I honestly felt honored to be part of such a special day. Kayla and Eric have this warmth about them that makes everyone around them feel included, relaxed, and loved. Their energy was contagious in the best possible way.

And can we talk about Kayla for a second? Because wow. She looked like she had walked straight out of a fairytale. Not in the cliché Pinterest way, in the “how is this person actually real?” kind of way. Between the ocean breeze, the dreamy pink tones of the Don CeSar, and her dress moving perfectly with the wind, she looked absolutely unreal. 

But honestly? The most beautiful thing that day was Eric’s face every single time he looked at her. His eyes absolutely lit up. And here’s the funny part, the weather decided it also wanted to be dramatic and emotionally involved in the wedding. Florida weather truly said, “You know what this ceremony needs? Plot twists.”

Right around ceremony time, the skies started changing faster than anyone could keep up with. The rain arrived exactly when sunset portraits were supposed to happen because apparently the weather had its own agenda that day. But instead of panicking, these two laughed through it all like absolute champions.

And yes… I absolutely convinced them to stand in the rain on the hotel terrace for sunset photos anyway. Photographer priorities. While everyone else was trying to stay dry, there we were on the rooftop terrace of the Don CeSar chasing whatever tiny bit of sunset light Florida decided to generously leave us. I’m pretty sure at one point I said something along the lines of, “Trust me, this suffering is temporary but the photos are forever.” Thankfully, Kayla and Eric are the kind of couple who make everything fun, so instead of stressing about the weather, they embraced it completely.

Honestly? It ended up feeling cinematic. The wind, the rain, the dramatic sky behind them, Kayla looking like an actual fairytale princess, and Eric staring at her like she was the only thing in the world that existed. Even with the storm rolling through and rain washing over the terrace, his expression when he looked at her was still the brightest thing there.

Their story started in the most modern way possible, meeting on Hinge and having their first date at an arcade in Cambridge. Which honestly makes perfect sense once you meet them because they genuinely are best friends first. You can feel it in every interaction. They laugh constantly, tease each other nonstop, and move through life like two people who truly enjoy simply existing together. Whether they are cooking at home, traveling somewhere new, trying restaurants, or just going on walks together, they bring lightness into each other’s lives in such a natural way.

Their wedding reflected exactly who they are: relaxed, fun, emotional, beachy, stylish without trying too hard, and centered around the people they love most. Nothing felt forced. Nothing felt performative. It felt real. And those are always the weddings that stay with me long after the galleries are delivered.

By the end of the night, everyone’s hair had officially surrendered to the humidity, shoes had disappeared somewhere near the dance floor, and nobody cared anymore because the energy was just that good. It was one of those weddings where you leave exhausted, emotionally invested, and ridiculously grateful you got to witness it.

Kayla and Eric, thank you for letting me be part of your story. Your wedding was beautiful, emotional, hilarious, full of unexpected weather drama, and absolutely unforgettable in every possible way.

Lead Photographer | Natalia Fontes
Associate Photographer | Adrian Nguyễn

Bridesmaid Dresses |  Azazie
Cake | The Don Cesar
Caterer | The Don Cesar
Ceremony Site | The Don Cesar
DJ | Platinum Entertainment 
Event Planner | Blue Skies
Florist | Iza’s Flowers
Hair Stylist | Adore Bridal
Make-up Artist | Adore Bridal
Reception Venue | The Don Cesar
Wedding Gown | Alexandra's Boutique
Officiant | Chad Bay Chapel

Dana + Justin Step Into The Limelight | The Tampa Theatre | Tampa, FL

A Love Story That Just Works

Dana and Justin’s love story is as real and refreshing as the AC. They met on Facebook Dating, where one click changed everything.

“My first impression of Justin was that he was just a simple, genuinely kind guy who wasn’t here to play games—and I was right,” said Dana. “From the very beginning, he made me feel completely at ease. My anxiety would disappear when we talked or spent time together, and everything just felt right.”

Though their relationship moved quickly, Dana explains it best:

“Sometimes love doesn’t follow a timeline. When you know, you know.”

The proposal was peak Dana + Justin: less fairytale, more practical magic. Think “business negotiation” vibes, complete with counter-offers and possibly a PowerPoint pitch if time allowed.

“And honestly?” Dana laughs. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Just Being Together

What makes their connection so beautiful is its simplicity. Dana and Justin love how relaxed they feel around each other. No big production necessary—they just love being together, in the quiet, everyday moments that matter most.

And on this day, in a theater that once offered the promise of dreams and cinematic escape for just 25 cents, they added their own chapter to the venue’s incredible story.

Their wedding will take place on January 24, 2026, at the Florida Aquarium, and Limelight Lead Photographer Carolyn will have the honor of capturing that special day.

If you’re dreaming of a Tampa engagement session with vintage charm, dramatic flair, and a setting unlike any other, Tampa Theatre is the perfect choice. As a Tampa Theater preferred vendor, we’re honored to preserve your most meaningful moments in this extraordinary venue.

Limelight Photography offers affordable wedding photography without compromising quality, service, or creativity. Let’s make magic together.

👉 Ready to plan your engagement or wedding session? Contact us today!

Lead Photographer | Rebecca Zoumberos
Assistant Photographer + Content Creator | Layla Raveling