Lians Jadan Photography whipped up a visual mai tai for “Caribbean Dreaming,” a sun-soaked fashion shoot for Hour Media set in the heart of metro Detroit. Think sandy beaches, swaying palms, and piña coladas, creating an island vibe that transformed Motor City into a tropical oasis and set the perfect backdrop for this Gold Award-winning shoot.
By: Lians Jadan, Photographer, Lians Jadan Photography
The Idea Takes Shape
Hour Media approached me with a fantastic idea for a bridal fashion shoot inspired by the Caribbean. The twist? We had to make it happen in early April in metro Detroit, far from tropical weather. But I love a good challenge, so I was excited to bring this vision to life.
Finding Inspiration and Planning the Shoot
I immersed myself in brainstorming. I use every tool to generate ideas—web searches, AI generation, museum visits, books, magazines, and long walks/runs. This diverse approach helps me gather fresh and innovative concepts. Once I had a few clear ideas for this shoot, I pitched them to Hour Media, and we refined and collaborated on the final idea.
Next, I needed the perfect location (flying the team to the Caribbean was out of our budget ). We secured The Griffin property’s permission to use their pool and even got them to prep the pool deck early. This was crucial for creating the inviting, tropical feel we needed.
Rolling with the Punches
Every shoot has its challenges, and this one was no exception. We arrived to find the pool heater broken, leaving us with 40-degree water. Instead of giving up, my fantastic model and I decided to go for it. We braved the cold and captured shots that looked anything but chilly.
Team Effort
This shoot was a genuine team effort. Special thanks to stylist Rebecca Voigt, assistants David Dalton and Raymar Patterson, model Tiffany Granzow, makeup artist Gabrielle Yanke, hair stylist Monica Jadan, and creative director Lindsay Richards. Everyone’s collaboration was vital in bringing this vision to life.
After the shoot, I dedicated time to retouching and color grading for the perfect look/feel. The client was thrilled with the results, and the positive impact on their sales was a bonus.
Reflecting and Looking Forward
Winning the Gold award in the Graphis Photo Awards and other prestigious competitions this year has been incredibly rewarding. It’s an incredible validation of our hard work and creativity. Reflecting on this project, I’m grateful for the challenges and the successes we achieved.
Advice for Fellow Creatives
To all my fellow creatives, remember that this career path is challenging and takes years to build. Embrace the obstacles—they often lead to innovation. Share your insights, support each other’s work, and collaborate whenever possible. Helping one another is essential in our industry. Keep exploring, pushing boundaries, and working closely with your team. Together, we can turn any obstacle into a success story.
