Some engagement sessions get built around a couple’s whole weekend. This one got built around a flight.

A Weekend Packed Full of Wedding Planning

Abby and Tyler live in North Carolina, which meant every trip to Florida ahead of their wedding had to work overtime. The weekend of their engagement session was no exception. They kicked things off with a catering tasting with Chef Mike, sat down for a floral consultation with Shy Chic Boutique, and squeezed in a hair and makeup trial with Dolled Up Brides, all before they ever got in front of the camera. By the time golden hour rolled around at Dickson Azalea Park, these two had already put in a full weekend of work toward their upcoming wedding at The Hollow Forever Free.

Why Dickson Azalea Park

Every location we considered first was actually further from Orlando, places like Emerson Point Preserve, Bok Tower Gardens, and Lettuce Lake Park. All three would have given us gorgeous images, but none of them worked with the schedule Abby and Tyler were on. Getting to any of them with enough time to shoot would have meant starting well before the light turned soft and golden, the way we love it for portraits. Staying later to catch that light properly was not an option either, since Abby and Tyler had a flight out of MCO to catch right after.

So we needed something close to the airport that could still deliver real golden hour light on a tight timeline, and Dickson Azalea Park checked every box. We had shot there before, for Sam and Chris’s wedding, so we already knew the space and knew it would come through for us.

Dickson Azalea Park is one of the more unusual spots we shoot in Orlando, and one of the city’s oldest. What is now a quiet, sunken garden tucked into a neighborhood near Thornton Park started out as a natural, spring fed creek that once served as a watering hole for cattle herders passing through the area. State Senator Walter Rose bought the land in 1916 and later set aside five acres around the creek for public use, donating it to the City of Orlando in 1924. In 1935, Works Progress Administration crews built out the park’s stone walls, bridges, and paths, and it was named for Colonel Henry Hill Dickson, credited with bringing azaleas to the city. Almost a century later, it still feels like someone carved an opening out of the neighborhood and dropped a garden into it, this pocket of green, woodsy calm in the middle of Orlando that photographs like it is nowhere near a major city at all.

Golden Light and a Whole Lot of Laughing

Florida heat does not care about your travel schedule, and this session had plenty of it. Despite the temperature, Abby and Tyler were all smiles and full of laughs from start to finish. The late afternoon sun broke through the foliage in exactly the way we hope for on every outdoor session, and this couple made it easy, relaxed with each other, quick to laugh, and completely unbothered by the heat.

Why Shy Chic Boutique Made Sense for an Out of Town Couple

Planning a Florida wedding from North Carolina comes with its own challenges, and it is a big part of why Abby and Tyler brought Shy Chic Boutique on board. Beyond florals, Shy Chic handled the planning and pulled together their entire vendor team, catering, cake, DJ, hair and makeup, rentals, and more, all under one roof. For a couple who could not just swing by in person whenever a decision needed to be made, having one trusted point of contact assembling the whole day made all the difference.

That kind of full service planning is exactly why we’re giving Shy Chic’s whole team a mention here, even though this post is about the engagement session, not the wedding day itself. This is who Abby and Tyler trusted to bring it all together:

A Preview of What Was Coming

This session turned out to be a preview of something bigger. A few months later, Abby and Tyler said their vows on the island ceremony site at The Hollow Forever Free, surrounded by family who flew in from Ohio and Rhode Island. If you want to see how their story continued, check back soon to see the post!

Congratulations Again, Abby and Tyler

Thank you for making time for us in the middle of an already packed weekend. It set the tone for everything that came after.

If you are planning a wedding or engagement session and want to talk photography, we would love to hear from you. See our work and reach out at ying-multimedia.com.

Leah and Nicholas’ love story began across state lines, but distance couldn’t stop what was meant to be. From long drives between Massachusetts and Rhode Island to building their new life together in Florida, every chapter has brought them closer to forever.

We met for their engagement session at Longboat Key on a cool evening that couldn’t have been more perfect. The golden light, gentle breeze, and sparkling shoreline made every moment feel timeless. Watching the two of them laugh, dance, and simply enjoy being together was pure joy. We can’t wait to capture their wedding day tomorrow and continue telling their story!

Erin and Phil’s engagement session at Bean Point on Anna Maria Island was filled with laughter, warmth, and the perfect touch of adventure. They first met online, and their connection quickly grew into something genuine and lasting. During their session, a brisk 71 degree breeze swept through the shoreline, but that didn’t stop them from embracing the moment or from taking a spontaneous dip in the Gulf!

Phil recently retired as an Air Force Captain, and on this Veterans Day, we’re honored to celebrate not only their love story but also his service. Their easygoing personalities and deep bond made every frame effortless and full of heart. As Sarasota and Tampa wedding photographers and videographers, we love capturing couples like Erin and Phil, whose joy shines brighter than the Florida sunset.

Dax and Gil’s engagement session in Downtown Celebration started with a bit of rain, but that just made the evening even more magical. As the clouds cleared, the streets emptied, leaving us with a quiet and romantic city backdrop that felt like it belonged just to them. They first met at work, and from the moment we started photographing, their natural connection and laughter made it clear their story was something special.

Once night fell, they brought out lightsabers for an epic Star Wars inspired twist — glowing red and blue against the misty night air. It was bold, fun, and completely them. As Sarasota and Tampa wedding photographers and videographers, we love when couples bring their personalities into their photos, and Dax and Gil made this session unforgettable from start to finish.

Lauren and Matt’s engagement session at Rye Preserve was the ultimate celebration of spooky season romance. Cloaked in black and surrounded by the haunting stillness of the forest, they brought their gothic vision to life in the most cinematic way possible. From the eerie charm of Rye Cemetery to the wild, storm-torn backdrop, every moment captured their connection and love for the mysterious and moody.

With their wedding just one day away, this session feels like the perfect prelude to their big day. Their creativity, chemistry, and shared love for all things dark and romantic made this shoot unforgettable and we can’t wait to see their next chapter unfold tomorrow.

Stephanie and Craig brought pure Disney magic to their engagement session at Disney Springs. From sunset strolls along the water to playful moments under the lights, these two radiated joy and love the entire time. We couldn’t have asked for a better evening — everything from the outfits to the laughter was picture-perfect.

We had so much fun exploring the shops, bridges, and waterfront views while capturing their story in such an iconic Florida location. Sessions like this remind us why we love engagement shoots, relaxed, full of personality, and overflowing with connection.

If you love sunset sessions with personality and heart, Rebecca and Logan’s engagement at Emerson Point Preserve will make you smile. These two firefighters bring the heat both on and off duty, and their connection glowed as bright as the evening sky. From quiet moments in the woods to playful laughter by the water, every shot felt like a glimpse into something real and lasting.

We cannot wait to capture their wedding at Urban Stillhouse in St. Pete this November. If their engagement session is any hint of what’s to come, their wedding day will be one to remember filled with laughter, energy, and pure joy.

Lindsay and Jack brought pure joy and light to their engagement session at Emerson Point Preserve. Between their shared love for the outdoors and easy laughter, every moment felt effortless. We explored the woods, walked along the sandy paths, and ended by the water just as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in warm golden tones.

The energy between them was contagious, and their natural chemistry made every photo come alive. Watching how comfortable they were together reminded us exactly why we love engagement sessions like this. We cannot wait to capture their wedding day and the next chapter of their story.