Cona Studios Wins National Award for Event Photography of the Year

Cona Studios is honored to share that we have been awarded the 2025 NACE ONE Award for 2024 Event Photography of the Year. Presented once a year by the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE), this award celebrates the most creative, innovative, and impactful work in the industry.

To even be nominated is an honor. To win is a reflection of the heart behind what we do. This recognition showcases the trust our clients place in us and the standard of service we hold ourselves to every single event, year after year. It is about more than one event. It’s about who we are as a team and why so many clients continue to choose Cona Studios for their most important moments.

A Collaboration That Shined

This nomination came through our partners at Hello! Destination Management, a team known for producing extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experiences. Together, we submitted the “Eye Spy a British Invasion” event.

Hosted inside the Gaylord Palms atrium, the event welcomed more than 2,200 guests. It was designed as a cheeky, immersive homage to the golden age of espionage, drawing inspiration from the playful Austin Powers films. The space was transformed into “Evil Island,” with six creatively themed lands that guests could explore. From a fully erupting volcano to martini hotlines in retro phone booths, every corner offered a surprise.

For us at Cona Studios, the goal was simple but powerful: capture not just what the event looked like, but how it felt to be there. That is what award-winning event photography in Florida means to us.

Storytelling Through the Lens

We believe event photography should do more than record what happened. It should transport you back into the experience by capturing the energy in the room.

As Hello! shared:

“Their photography instantly evokes a sense of wonder and joy. You can feel the playfulness of the theme, the excitement of discovery, and the larger-than-life spectacle that was created for the guests. Whether it’s a wide-angle shot of a volcanic eruption in the middle of the atrium or a candid moment of laughter in a secret martini phone booth, their photos bring back the magic and remind us why we love what we do.”

At Eye Spy a British Invasion, that meant approaching the evening as a visual narrative. Wide-angle hero shots captured the scale of the atrium and the grandeur of Mount Krakakoda. Intimate portraits revealed laughter, connection, and moments of surprise. From drone bartenders mid-flight to candid exchanges in themed lounges, every frame was created with intention.

The event presented unique challenges with six environments, each with its own lighting and energy. Our team adapted in real time, moving between neon glow, erupting fog, and glittering gold. Every choice of lens, angle, and exposure was made to preserve the atmosphere while highlighting the details.

The final gallery didn’t just show what the event looked like. It gave our partners at Hello! the marketing-ready images they needed to showcase their creativity on a national stage. This is the standard we bring to every project, whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or social celebration.

Why This Award Matters for Our Clients

The NACE ONE Awards are considered one of the highest honors in the catering and events industry. Winning on this national stage means being recognized among the best in the country. While this award celebrates our work, the real meaning is what it represents for our clients. It validates the trust you place in us. It shows that the same care and consistency we bring to every wedding, celebration, or conference is recognized at the highest level of our industry.

As our partners at Hello! Shared:

“Cona Studios has an incredible ability to transform an event into a visual story. Their team doesn’t just capture décor or entertainment—they capture energy, humor, and emotion in a way that transports you right back into the experience. For Eye Spy a British Invasion, their artistry was on full display. They navigated six distinct themed “lands,” each with unique lighting and moods, and delivered imagery that felt cinematic and editorial while still being authentic to the guest experience. This event demanded both technical precision and creative vision, and Cona Studios exceeded expectations, making them the perfect partner to recognize with this nomination.”

That testimonial captures what we strive for in every project. Whether you are planning a wedding filled with intimate moments or producing a large-scale corporate celebration, our goal is to deliver photography that is beautiful, impactful, and deeply personal to you.

Built on Trust and Long-Term Relationships

This award reflects more than one event. It reflects the relationships we have built over the years. Couples trust us to capture the heart of their wedding day. Businesses rely on us for imagery that strengthens their brand and drives future marketing. Nonprofits know we will document their events in a way that honors their mission.

That trust is earned through consistency. We deliver high-quality images, but we also deliver an experience built on care, communication, and professionalism. It’s why so many of our clients return to Cona Studios year after year.

As Hello! explained:

“We continue to collaborate with Cona Studios because they are true partners in storytelling. They anticipate challenges, adapt seamlessly to complex environments, and always deliver galleries that exceed our marketing and client needs. Their images are more than documentation—they are tools we use to showcase creativity, win new business, and celebrate the experiences we create. Simply put, their work makes our work shine.”

We view every event as a long-term investment in our relationships. The quality of our photography matters, but so does the quality of our service. Clients return to Cona Studios because they know we are partners in their success. They know that when the moment comes, we will be ready with precision, creativity, and care.

That is the foundation of our reputation and the reason this recognition means so much. It is not just a reflection of our work; it is a reflection of the trust our clients continue to place in us.

Award-Winning Event Photography in Florida

For more than a decade, Cona Studios has been honored to photograph weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings, across Florida and beyond. This national recognition affirms what our clients already know: we are dedicated to delivering award-winning event photography in Florida that balances artistry with reliability.

Every image is created with purpose. Every gallery is delivered with care. And every client relationship is built on trust.

We are deeply grateful to Hello! Destination Management for the nomination and to NACE for this recognition. Most importantly, we are thankful to our clients who allow us to do what we love. This award belongs to you as much as it does to us and we look forward to capturing your next unforgettable story.

The Heart of What We Do

At Cona Studios, our mission is simple: to create photography that matters. We want our couples to look back on their wedding images and feel the joy all over again. We want our corporate clients to use our images to win new business, grow their reach, and celebrate their achievements. We want every client to feel seen, supported, and celebrated through the work we deliver.

This award is a milestone, but it is also a reminder of why we do what we do. It reinforces the standard we hold ourselves to and the promise we make to every client we serve.

When you choose Cona Studios, you are choosing a partner who is dedicated to telling your story with excellence.