The first image you’ll see above is one of my portraits of Keegan Bradley from our June shoot. He’s sitting at his desk, focused on the final pre-production model of JLab’s Epic Lux Lab Edition, the custom Ryder Cup 2025 headphones that will travel to Bethpage Black with Team USA.
I start here because that one frame holds so much of what I believe in: dedication, detail, and the quiet work no one sees.
What the Ryder Cup Means
For anyone new to golf, the Ryder Cup is the sport’s most electric stage, a team showdown between the United States and Europe every two years. This year it lands at Bethpage Black in New York. For veterans of the game, you already know how much it means to wear your team’s colors in this event.
That weight is why this project mattered.
My Connection With Kenneth Patterson (KP)
Back when the Instagram golf community was still just a spark, Kenneth Patterson (KP) and I connected. There weren’t many of us who looked like us in that space, so it was easy to recognize each other. I first met KP at the Birds of Condor booth at the 2019 PGA Show, photographing candids. Since then we’ve stayed brothers; tournaments, phone calls, ideas traded across miles.
One lesson from those days: you never know which personal project today will open doors tomorrow. Years ago in Dallas, I brought my camera to a charity tournament just to document the guys. We had a great time, we won the tournament. Those images stuck with KP. When this Ryder Cup project came up, one of his first calls was to me.
KP’s Words About This Project
“Working with Keegan on this project was a full-circle moment. I’ve watched his growth from my TaylorMade / Adidas days to now as a player and a person; I see his growth and understand why he’s Captain. I know Team USA will be suited and booted for Bethpage with JLab’s custom edition. This project highlighted KB’s dedication to the role as RC Captain and how that dedication has touched the people in his inner circle. Special shout out Doc, Seve, Mark Bradley, the team at Flag and Anthem, and The Bears Club.
A black kid from Arkansas got a chance to do something monumental with a major champion and Ryder Cup Captain. One of my first calls was to Tucker with TuckerTookThat to document the day and tell the story via his lens.”
That’s bigger than an assignment. That’s trust. That’s community.
The Work Behind the Lens
Just as golfers grind on the range, putting in hours for a few moments under pressure, creatives do the same. This shoot was Florida in June’s preheat oven temperatures, scattered thunderstorms, tight time windows. My assignment was five minutes with Keegan inside a 20-minute block. Because of the relationships KP built, I also got to document behind the scenes of the film crew led by Jason Johnson and Sam Hoerdemann, withSharron Matthews and Patrick Gallahue from PGA Tour bringing it all together.
Watching that team work, lighting, audio, production, scheduling, all reminded me of a tournament practice session. So many moving pieces, all aiming for a clean shot when the time comes.
Gratitude
I’m grateful to KP for trusting me, to Keegan for his focus and patience, to Sharron, Patrick, Jason, Sam, and every hand on set. It takes a village to make visuals that look effortless.
Behind-the-Scenes Gallery
Below you’ll find a gallery of behind-the-scenes photos from that day. I wanted to show not just the polished frames but the process: the cameras, the sweat, the laughs between takes. Because, like golf, the beauty is in the grind no one else sees. To access the full gallery, log in with your email to keep track of your favorites – Click Here See Full BTS Gallery.
Behind the Lens: Keegan Bradley x JLab Audio x PGA Tour – Ryder Cup 2025 – TuckerTookThat Photo-Shoot.
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.
I’ve always loved being a photographer. But somewhere between turning professional and needing to make a living from it, the joy of photography started feeling exhausting.
From my perspective, I find myself constantly chasing deals instead of having clients come to me. It’s ironic how clients often praise my work after I’ve delivered, when all along I’ve been quietly confident in its quality.
Navigating this side of the photography world can be draining. However, I’m slowly figuring out how to streamline my workflow with my team, allowing me to focus more on shooting and less on the hustle.
Interestingly, I’ve realized I don’t always enjoy lugging around my bulky camera just for leisurely shots anymore. My initial love for photography began with disposable cameras and pocket point-and-shoots—capturing moments effortlessly with friends was what made it so enjoyable.
Exploring New Tools: The PhLow App
During a trip to Aspen in February, I stumbled upon some stunning photos edited with the PhLow app. Recognizing its potential, I reached out to them. I’m genuinely enthusiastic about this app—I wish they’d sponsor me considering how often I recommend it!
PhLow combines the power of Photoshop with the nostalgic charm of a built-in film camera, offering creative editing tools that fit right in your pocket. If I had the means, I’d buy them out in a heartbeat. It’s that good.
Capturing Lulu’s Essence
I’ve always wanted to photograph Lulu. She’s an incredible golfer who attended the University of Miami. Recognizing her potential appeal to the golf audience, I knew capturing her essence would be captivating—she’s both beautiful and a pro at her sport.
Approaching someone like Lulu in Miami, especially for a guy like me in his mid-thirties, can be daunting. I’ve been in the photography game long before the social media hype, back when connections were made face-to-face rather than through Instagram.
Months ago, at a golf event, I finally had the chance to introduce myself in person. What struck me most was Lulu’s down-to-earth nature. In Miami, many beautiful women can come off as aloof due to the city’s culture, but Lulu was refreshingly genuine.
Seizing the Moment with PhLow
We connected on social media, although I soon learned she doesn’t check her Instagram messages often. Nevertheless, that initial meeting laid the groundwork.
Recently, during an unplanned visit to the golf range, I decided to bring along my disposable camera, just in case. As luck would have it, I ended up needing it, but didn’t have it. Fortunately, I had the PhLow app on my phone, a tool I’ll explain shortly.
While winding down after my round, I noticed Lulu wearing her signature bucket hat during a lesson. Intrigued, I approached her and we caught up briefly. Later, she introduced me to two top Brazilian tennis players also practicing at the range, creating an impromptu photo opportunity.
Using the PhLow app on my trusty iPhone 14 Pro Max, I was amazed by its ability to turn casual shots into professional-quality images. As phone cameras advance alongside mirrorless technology, apps like PhLow represent the future of creative photography.
Despite my reluctance to upgrade my phone just for the camera, my current setup works well with PhLow, offering versatile cropping options perfect for both Instagram stories and feeds.
Showcasing the Results
Among the many shots I took that day, I’ve selected my favorites to share, starting with the introductory image.
While I’m not yet sponsored to endorse PhLow, I highly recommend downloading it to explore its creative potential.
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.
