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
