A TuckerTookThat Year-End Reflection Featuring the Corielle Holiday Sparkle Christmas Campaign
A Time for Reflection, Gratitude, and Slowing Down
The holidays are upon us. No matter your religion; Christmas, Hanukkah, or simply time away from work; this season has a way of slowing us down. Fourth quarter wraps Thanksgiving into a stretch of reflection, gratitude, and extra giving; and that, in itself, is a blessing.
Family, Connection, and Presence Beyond Proximity
Early this morning, I was on the phone with my grandmother, talking about how blessed we are to still be connected as a family; her being the root of it all. That conversation stayed with me. It reminded me that presence doesn’t always mean proximity. Even when you can’t be in the same room, the bond still holds. Family shows up in ways that aren’t always physical, but always felt.
Why This Holiday Campaign Changed My Perspective
With golf season, personal work, and portrait photography filling much of my year, holiday campaigns aren’t usually where I land. The final quarter tends to move quickly, with attention placed on finishing strong. This shoot slowed that pace and offered space to view the season from a more intentional place.
Corielle; Jewelry Rooted in Tradition and Family
Earlier this year, when I took Corielle on as a client, what stood out immediately was their respect for tradition and family. From naming pieces after loved ones to Cori’s story of how she found her way into jewelry design, the brand has always been rooted in connection. Knowing that, it felt meaningful to create images of pieces that will be gifted, worn, and eventually cherished inside other families’ stories.
Behind the Scenes; Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Behind the scenes of this shoot was a reminder of something I’ll never stop saying; teamwork makes the dream work. Even Santa has helpers. As the year comes to a close, it felt important to acknowledge the people who made not just this shoot, but so many moments this year, possible.
BTS – Corielle Holiday Sparkle Campaign
Gratitude for the People Who Make the Work Possible
To everyone who helped across different sets throughout the year; thank you. Your time, energy, and commitment never go unnoticed. And to Aneri, who has been my right hand in keeping our deliverables exactly where they should be; your consistency allows the work to live at the level it deserves. I appreciate you deeply.
Nearly Two Decades of Support in Miami
Aperture Pro Miami; you all feel like family to my business. Nearly two decades of support, problem solving, and showing up when it mattered has made countless shoots seamless. I wouldn’t have grown into the photographer I am today without you, and I don’t take that lightly.
Setting the Mood for a Seamless Holiday Production
And to Mint Photo Studios; thank you for a phenomenal Christmas setup. From the moment we walked in, the tone was set. The space carried the holiday energy we wanted these images to reflect, and production day flowed because of it. That kind of support changes everything.
This was my first time shooting at Mint Photo Studios – I have 2026 black and whites projects loading there…oops did I just drop what’s coming back in the photo-world from me?! 🙂
A Christmas Message of Gratitude
To anyone who finds their way to this blog; Merry Christmas to you and your family. To everyone I’ve worked with this year and in years past; thank you. I say it often, but it never loses its meaning. Thank you for allowing me to share my gift with you.
Sharing the Story Forward
With that said, I want to share a recap of this shoot. When I was coming up, it was the stories shared by those before me that inspired me to keep going. If this does that for even one person, then the work has done its job.
House of Hearts — A Corielle Photo-Story Photography & Production by Dwayne Tucker | TuckerTookThat
Meeting Cori: Our First Collaboration Begins
Cori, the founder and creative mind behind Corielle, had flown in the night before. This was our first time meeting in person, and within moments, I saw the energy she brings to her craft. She’s deeply intentional. Every piece of her collection tells a story, and I wanted the photography to honor that.
Why Pre-Production Matters in High-End Photography
In the days leading up to the shoot, I kept my promise to her. I sketched out concepts, mapped the light, imagined the frames before they existed. Pre-production isn’t glamorous, but it’s where the creative heartbeat begins. We had a clear vision, and now we were about to bring it to life.
The Value of Full-Scale Production Productions like these — real productions — can get expensive fast. The kind of photography that moves people and elevates a brand, takes more than just a camera and a good idea. It takes gear, people, time, and most of all, intention. That morning, I had packed enough equipment to build out any concept we might dream up. I wanted Cori to see what my team and I could bring to the table — not just technically, but creatively.
Of course, I have a portfolio. Years of work that showcase the kind of visual quality and direction my team can produce. But even the strongest portfolio can’t replicate the energy of a live set: real-time collaboration, adjustments in the moment, and the way the mood shifts when the light hits just right. This was her brand, her story. This shoot was my way of showing how we could tell it.
The weather was perfect. Palm Beach gave us perfect photo-light and skies without a single complaint. The kind of weather that lets you focus on the work — fully, joyfully — without worrying about backup plans.
But this story didn’t begin here in Palm Beach. It started a few months earlier with a Google search.
Enter Reina: The Connector
I had typed something like “PR publicist Palm Beach” into Google, just exploring. Miami had been my home base for years, but I felt a pull to expand north. There’s something about Palm Beach — the light, the energy, the elegance — that makes it ideal for portraits. I was looking to connect with someone who understood that creative nuance and could help me tap into the right circles.
That’s how I found Reina.
Her energy had a spark. Slightly chaotic in a way that felt productive — like she was always moving and probably talked with her hands. I reached out. We exchanged a few messages, and not long after, I invited her to a shoot.
At the time, I had a commercial photography assignment for a jeweler showcasing her line at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington. After wrapping that shoot, I still had my gear in the car and a suite at The Ben with beautiful hallways. I texted Reina: come through. Let me take a few portraits of you.
It was one of those spontaneous moments where you don’t overthink. Just create. Maybe one day when someone writes the story of my photography career, they’ll find that little chapter — the shoot at The Ben that quietly led to something more.
When she arrived, I noticed her necklace right away. It was striking. She told me. “It’s from Corielle.”
I mentioned that I was looking to do more jewelry campaign work, and without hesitation, she said “I have someone I need to connect you with. You’ll love her.”
That someone was Cori.
The Build: From Miami to Palm Beach
We left Miami at 5 a.m. The sky was still dark, the air was cool, and the city felt peaceful. It was the kind of morning that makes you feel like you’re ahead of the world. To make room for all the gear, I had to take out my golf clubs from the SUV, which wasn’t easy for me. As we drove into Palm Beach and passed the Par 3 course, I saw the maintenance team mowing the greens. If I wasn’t shooting that day, I’d probably be teeing off right then. But this shoot was the priority.
My assistant Johnny and I were fueled by a pair of Celsius energy drinks I had picked up before we left the house. We were going to need them to get through the commute, the full shoot day, and the drive back to the studio that night. On the road, we listened to music. Johnny’s a musician too, so we shared some of our past projects and I even played him a track I had done with a good friend (SUBPAT) for his first project. Creative energy all around.
(Made it this far? Follow me on IG – @DwayneTucker – to stay plugged into everything—including the making of SUBPAT’s Subterranean cover.)
In the car, I had my sketchbook with my gear checklist and a printed version of the creative brief. I like to have everything mapped out — something physical to stay aligned with the vision.
As we entered the neighborhood, I was struck by how beautiful it was. The homes had that wealthy old money island feel, like something out of Harbor Island in the Bahamas. Manicured landscapes. Clean design. Quiet elegance.
When we arrived, we met Cori, did a quick walkthrough of the property, and immediately began unpacking. Johnny and I started building the production setup — C-stands, sandbags, 8×8 and 6×4 scrims, modifiers, and reflectors. We hadn’t had the chance to scout the location beforehand, which is rare for me. Usually I like to know every angle and walk the space ahead of time. But sometimes, you have to think on your feet and still deliver the same quality.
We built the first and second scenes out front in the driveway. We wanted clean, studio-feeling portraits using natural light — a refined, editorial look. The second scene was titled “The Arrival,” featuring Montana, our model playing Lauren, returning to the house with that calm, graceful energy that set the tone.
The final scene was shot in the backyard by the pool. The light was soft. The mood was intimate and timeless.
Telling the Story: House of Hearts
This campaign wasn’t just about jewelry. It was about telling a story. “House of Hearts” centers on two sisters — Lauren and Blake — returning to their family’s Palm Beach home for their annual visit. It’s about connection, legacy, and quiet luxury. Bubblies poured, letters aged with time, moments quietly exchanged by the poolside. The jewelry—woven into the sentiment, an heirloom of memory itself.
Cori’s sister, Stephanie, was on set. One of the necklaces is named after her middle name too — The Blake. A bracelet is named after her daughter, Waverly. Having both sisters there added meaning. The energy turned the story into something real.
Montana channeled Lauren beautifully. She wasn’t just modeling. She was living in the character. Reina brought her signature energy. Stephanie brought warmth and mastermind for set design. Johnny kept things moving with gear and setup. Cori led with vision and trust.
And me — I photographed, directed, and shaped the light to bring it all together.
Every TuckerTookThat shoot is different—except for one thing: my perpetually sweaty shirts. I always bring two, just in case. Some shoots take weeks of prep and location scouts. Some unfold on the fly. But what stays constant for me is the level of care I bring to each one. From leaving Miami in the dark, sketchbook and Celsius in hand, to building a full set from scratch in a Palm Beach driveway — this is the kind of work that fuels me.
We didn’t just photograph jewelry. We told a story of women, of memory, of emotion. And I’m proud of the world we created together.
Nashley’s 25th Birthday Photoshoot: A Glamorous Milestone
When you think about milestones in life, your 25th birthday often stands out as a time of reflection, celebration, and growth. I feel like my 25th was just yesterday and it is wild to me that it’s a decade plus gone. For Nashley, turning 25 was more than just a number – it was a moment to embrace who she’s become and step confidently into her future. It’s that kind of energy and story I love capturing in my photoshoots, and I had the privilege of working with Nashley to document this special day in a way that felt both glamorous and true to her personality.
We had the honor of planning and executing Nashley’s photoshoot. It was all about creating a series of images that told the story of her journey. Her journey is one filled with joy, confidence, and a touch of magic.
The Vision Behind the Photoshoot
When Nashley came to me with the idea for her 25th birthday photoshoot, we knew it had to be memorable. It wasn’t just any photoshoot. It was a celebration of her journey and everything she’s accomplished. She told me that she has been wanting to photograph with me for a while now and that she as waiting for the right time to shoot with me. More and more I am enjoying photographing birthday portraits in Miami, Florida. I love doing so because everybody seems to be the happiest around their birthday. The concept was to combine glamorous, festive moments with some introspective, reflective shots that spoke to her growth. It was about creating a series that made her feel powerful, confident, and proud of the person she’s becoming.
The Planning
The day was all about creating that perfect atmosphere: a combination of high energy and intimate moments. From the backdrop to the props, every detail was carefully considered to fit Nashley’s vibe. She brought in black balloons, a #25 birthday sign, and even a metallic champagne fringe backdrop (which we didn’t end up using but had as an option) elements that added to the celebratory feel and allowed me to play with lighting and reflections to bring out the best in each shot. Usually I would hire an assistant to help me on a set like this but she had her friend Dom come along as support / pretend assistant for me for the shoot.
The Shoot: Setting the Scene
We had a tight, well-organized schedule to make the most of the 5-hour booking. Starting at 4 PM, I arrived early to set up the equipment, ensuring everything was perfectly prepared for the shoot. This time is crucial because I like to test lighting and make sure all the gear is working so we’re ready to go when Nashley arrives.
At 6 PM, we kicked things off with the First Look – this was where I captured Nashley in her initial outfit, taking advantage of the soft lighting for some beauty and reflective shots. There’s something special about the quiet moments before the party energy kicks in. After Nashley reviewed the images, we moved into the Second Look, bringing a bit more high energy into the shoot. It was time for the fun to begin with the birthday balloons, a change of outfit, and a few more playful and festive shots.
Special Props and Details
Props can elevate a photoshoot. Nashley’s attention to detail was evident. Her choices—like the birthday cake, #25 balloon sign, and confetti—really brought the shoot together. They helped create a lively, celebratory atmosphere.
What Makes This Shoot Different
What really sets this photoshoot apart is the focus on the journey. Yes, the shoot was glamorous and festive, but it was also about reflection (Behind The Scenes IG Reel – Part 1 | Part 2). It’s about being proud of where you are and where you’re headed. Nashley wasn’t just celebrating her birthday, she was celebrating her growth, her achievements, and the bright future ahead. That’s the kind of story I strive to tell through my lens.
The Experience
Working with clients like Nashley is why I love what I do. It’s not just about taking beautiful pictures – it’s about crafting a story, one that reflects the unique energy and personality of the person in front of the camera. For me, a photoshoot is a way to capture a moment in time, yes, but it’s also a way to connect on a deeper level with the people I work with. I am extremely passionate about the work that I make and I really strive to make history with each shot so when I leave this earth, if anybody talk about me, that’s what they’ll say – Tucker dedicated his love to photography productions.
Final Thoughts
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be part of Nashley’s 25th birthday celebration. It was a truly special shoot, and what is more exciting is her receiving the images and loving them. Even though I have spent a lot of time developing myself as a photographer, I still face the risk of creating something that myself and the client would like. I am sure I put more pressure on myself than I need to – when you really, really, really, really care about the art of photography like I do…then that part come with it. Each photo is a testament to the joy and confidence that Nashley radiates, and I’m so proud to have been the one to capture it.
If you’re looking to document a birthday, or just a milestone you want to celebrate, I’d love to help you tell your story. Every milestone deserves to be remembered in a way that feels true to you—and I’m here to make that happen.
Hey, I’m Dwayne Tucker, a Miami-based photographer bringing lifestyle, jewelry, portrait, and sports apparel campaigns to life so your brand and products look their very best. On this blog, I share stories, inspiration, and a behind-the-lens look at my work. If you love golf, you’ll feel at home on Instagram @DwayneTucker, where I share clips from my rounds and connect with both the photography and golf communities.
