An editorial-inspired wedding collaboration at Paradise Cove, bringing together a talented team of Central Florida creatives for two very different days of photography.
The Vision
On August 26, I had the opportunity to photograph a styled wedding editorial organized by my best friend Krista, founder of Esora Events, at Paradise Cove in Orlando.
This was Krista's first styled shoot as a coordinator, and something she'd spent months bringing to life. Through the connections she's built working in the event industry, she brought together a team of wedding professionals to create something beautiful, showcase their individual talents, and collaborate on a shared vision.
Her goal was to create an elevated, editorial-inspired wedding while embracing the natural character of Paradise Cove. Think tropical florals, lush greenery, warm colors, natural wood tones, and romantic waterfront details. Everything was thoughtfully curated to feel like a wedding that could genuinely take place at the venue, just with a little extra creative freedom.
"The biggest thing for me was making it feel like a real wedding that someone could actually have there, just with a little more of that editorial/fashion feel."
KRISTA Hickson, ESORA EVENTS
I was especially excited to be there to support Krista. She'd put so much work into organizing everything, and I was incredibly proud to see her vision finally coming together.
Behind the Editorial
I approached this project a little differently than I would a traditional portrait session. While Alyssa Jade Photography was there as the lead wedding photographer, I had the freedom to explore the day from a more documentary and editorial perspective.
I naturally found myself acting as an extra pair of hands for Krista, helping wherever I was needed while photographing the production as it unfolded.
I wanted to capture more than just the finished wedding setup. I loved watching everyone work, seeing the details come together, and finding little moments between the more intentionally styled photographs.
I also took the opportunity to experiment with still-life photography and flat lays, something I don't typically focus on. Between the tropical floral arrangements by Coastal Blooms by Dawn, the stationery by Sommerset Paper House, accessories, and beautifully styled tablescape, there was no shortage of inspiration.
A Change of Plans
Of course, this wouldn't be a summer shoot in Florida without a little unpredictable weather.
Not long into the day, the rain started coming down HARD. With so much of the editorial planned around Paradise Cove's outdoor spaces, we had to quickly change direction. The ceremony setup, reception tables, florals, and lighting all needed to be protected from the weather.
Most of us ended up spending the afternoon working inside the venue's small getting-ready cottage, finding creative ways to make the most of the space and available light.
And honestly? We had a really good time.
Everyone continued bouncing ideas off one another, finding new compositions and making the most of what we had. At one point, Krista ordered pizza for dinner, which somehow turned into an impromptu photoshoot of our bride and groom sitting on the floor eating pizza with the rain falling outside the window. It started as a joke, but the photographs ended up being such a fun addition to the day.
I photographed most of the afternoon using available light, which gave the images a soft, intimate quality. When I started editing, I decided to lean into that atmosphere with a black-and-white, film-inspired look.
The resulting photographs feel a little more candid and documentary than traditional wedding imagery, and I love that they tell a different part of the story.
The Next Morning at Paradise Cove
Thankfully, Krista was able to coordinate with the venue and arrange for us to return the following morning to photograph the outdoor setups we hadn't been able to capture.
After a very long first day, Krista and I left DeLand at 5:30 AM to make it back to Paradise Cove before 7. We were definitely tired, but that early morning drive ended up being completely worth it.
The weather couldn't have been more different.
We arrived to the most beautiful sunrise over the water, with warm morning light illuminating the venue, florals, and reception setup. After spending the previous afternoon working around the rain, having such gorgeous natural light felt like a gift.
While I'd chosen to edit much of the first day's imagery in black and white, I couldn't imagine doing the same with these photographs. The colors were too beautiful.
We finally had the opportunity to photograph the full outdoor vision, from the waterfront ceremony space to the tropical floral arrangements and reception details.
I also managed to steal Krista away from her tasks for a quick minute to take some portraits of her. I wanted her to have a few photographs of herself to remember everything she'd accomplished with this project.
The Work Behind the Work
Looking back, one of my favorite things about this collaboration was getting to document the creative process itself.
There's something really special about watching people with completely different creative backgrounds come together to build something beautiful. From florals and fashion to lighting, stationery, photography, and event design, every contribution helped bring Krista's original concept to life.
This project also reminded me of how much I enjoy photographing the moments that aren't necessarily planned or posed. Some of my favorite images came from simply observing what was happening around me.
I went into the shoot excited to support my best friend and left with a collection of photographs that I'm genuinely proud of, some new creative connections, and an even greater appreciation for behind-the-scenes photography.
I'd love to explore more opportunities like this, especially within the fashion and editorial world.
And to Krista: I'm so proud of you! Watching you bring this entire production together, navigate the unexpected, and make sure everyone had what they needed was such a joy. I can't wait to see what you create next with Esora.
The Creative Team
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed their time, talent, and creativity to this project.
