THE ULTIMATE CREATIVE ESCAPE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS, FILMMAKERS, & WEDDING CREATIVES
A curated retreat designed to elevate your business through meaningful connections, luxury styled shoots, and a community that raises your standard just by being in the room. Over five days in the Caribbean, you'll shoot in stunning locations, learn from people who have already built what you're working toward, and connect with a group of creatives who will push you further than you'd push yourself. This is what investing in yourself at the luxury level actually looks like.
One year from today, you'll look back on the week that changed your business
PARTNERSHIPS & SPONSORS
What’s Included
5 night adults only Virgin Voyages cruise with balcony room & dining included
Round trip from Miami with stops in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas
2 luxury styled shoots
Networking & education
Group excursion in the Bahamas
Website/branding audit by sponsor Studio Atelier
Welcome party and signature send-off dinner
your vip's
THE BEST OF THE BEST IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY
Miami VIP Educator
Emma Burke
Dominican republic VIP Educator
Eric Kelley
Onboard educators
The Hancocks
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WEDDING planner
Elisa Abreu
MIAMI WEDDING planner
Zeiry
Your hosts
Dryden & Emily
LUXURY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER
Dryden and Emily are an intentional wedding photography and videography team specializing in seamless luxury celebrations worldwide. With over 100 weddings captured globally, their work has been featured on prestigious pages.
They are the duo behind the Art of Luxury Cruise Retreats, and teach talented photographers and videographers how to break into the luxury market.
LUXURY WEDDING FILMMAKER
Emma is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker specializing in luxury weddings and events worldwide. Since beginning her career in 2019 at 19 years old, she has had the honor of documenting over 100 exclusive stories across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.
Her work has been featured in renowned publications including People, Brides, ESPN, Over The Moon, Lebanese Weddings, and more. She has also been named one of the Top 25 Wedding Videographers in the World by The Wed and one of the Top 20 Wedding Videographers in the U.S. by WedVibes.
As an educator, Emma brings the same dramatic artistry, refined eye, and unmatched energy that define her films into the spaces she creates for other filmmakers, teaching from a place of real-world experience and creative, intentional business strategy.
LUXURY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Eric Kelley builds natural, ethereal, painterly portraits that preserve moments and evoke real emotion. A father of three, devoted husband, and former college athlete at the University of Virginia with a degree in Fine Art Photography, he brings the same discipline and dedication to every shoot. He's been named a top photographer by Harper's Bazaar, Brides, and Martha Stewart Weddings, a rising star by Rangefinder Magazine, and his work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, Over the Moon, and beyond. Eric's reputation has him now working consistently with incredible names including Easton Events, Julian Lever, and Tracy Taylor Ward.
He brings the eye of someone who has built a career around timeless, emotionally driven imagery, and he’ll be sharing that process directly with attendees.
LUXURY WEDDING Photographers
James and Emily are wedding photographers and educators passionate about helping photographers intentionally elevate their businesses from the inside out. They teach photographers how to build planner relationships, curate a portfolio with purpose, refine their brand, and create an experience that earns trust at the highest levels of the wedding industry.
Known for their honest approach and practical strategies, they teach the behind-the-scenes business decisions that transform not only a portfolio, but the way photographers are perceived by planners and clients alike.
Luxury wedding & event planner
Elisa Abreu Weddings & Events is a Dominican Republic-based luxury wedding and event design studio known for crafting elevated destination celebrations across the Caribbean. Led by Elisa Abreu, the team has been featured in Vogue, ¡Hola! República Dominicana, and other outlets recognizing them among the region's best, and counts a following of over 15,000 for their signature blend of refined design and seamless execution.
For the Art of Luxury Retreat's Dominican Republic wedding, Elisa and her team bring deep local expertise and a portfolio built around one idea: creating extraordinary experiences for those who seek nothing less.
Luxury wedding & event planner
Since 2006, Zeiry has been curating timeless, romantic, editorial weddings for couples across South Florida and destinations around the world, and her work has landed in Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Over the Moon.
She’s known for a calm presence and a meticulous eye for detail, and she’s bringing that same level of design to the shoot she’s building for our Miami stop.
Between the Miami setting and the design vision Zeiry is bringing, this stop is going to be the perfect finale of the retreat.
your vip's
THE BEST OF THE BEST IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY
Your hosts
Dryden & Emily
Miami VIP Educator
Emma Burke
Dominican republic VIP Educator
Eric Kelley
Onboard educators
The Hancocks
dominican republic wedding planner
Elisa Abreu
miami wedding planner
Zeiry Corte Gomez
LUXURY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER | Hosts of Art of Luxury
Dryden and Emily are an intentional wedding photography and videography team specializing in seamless luxury celebrations worldwide. With over 100 weddings captured globally, their work has been featured on prestigious pages.
They are the duo behind the Art of Luxury Cruise Retreats, and teach talented photographers and videographers how to break into the luxury market.
LUXURY WEDDING FILMMAKER
Emma is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker specializing in luxury weddings and events worldwide. Since beginning her career in 2019 at 19 years old, she has had the honor of documenting over 100 exclusive stories across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.
Her work has been featured in renowned publications including People, Brides, ESPN, Over The Moon, Lebanese Weddings, and more. She has also been named one of the Top 25 Wedding Videographers in the World by The Wed and one of the Top 20 Wedding Videographers in the U.S. by WedVibes.
As an educator, Emma brings the same dramatic artistry, refined eye, and unmatched energy that define her films into the spaces she creates for other filmmakers, teaching from a place of real-world experience and creative, intentional business strategy.
LUXURY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Eric Kelley builds natural, ethereal, painterly portraits that preserve moments and evoke real emotion. A father of three, devoted husband, and former college athlete at the University of Virginia with a degree in Fine Art Photography, he brings the same discipline and dedication to every shoot. He's been named a top photographer by Harper's Bazaar, Brides, and Martha Stewart Weddings, a rising star by Rangefinder Magazine, and his work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, Over the Moon, and beyond. Eric's reputation has him now working consistently with incredible names including Easton Events, Julian Lever, and Tracy Taylor Ward.
He brings the eye of someone who has built a career around timeless, emotionally driven imagery, and he’ll be sharing that process directly with attendees.
Luxury wedding photographers
James and Emily are wedding photographers and educators passionate about helping photographers intentionally elevate their businesses from the inside out. They teach photographers how to build planner relationships, curate a portfolio with purpose, refine their brand, and create an experience that earns trust at the highest levels of the wedding industry.
Known for their honest approach and practical strategies, they teach the behind-the-scenes business decisions that transform not only a portfolio, but the way photographers are perceived by planners and clients alike.
elisa abreu weddings & events
Elisa Abreu Weddings & Events is a Dominican Republic-based luxury wedding and event design studio known for crafting elevated destination celebrations across the Caribbean. Led by Elisa Abreu, the team has been featured in Vogue, ¡Hola! República Dominicana, and other outlets recognizing them among the region's best, and counts a following of over 15,000 for their signature blend of refined design and seamless execution.
For the Art of Luxury Retreat's Dominican Republic wedding, Elisa and her team bring deep local expertise and a portfolio built around one idea: creating extraordinary experiences for those who seek nothing less.
WEDDING & event planner
Since 2006, Zeiry has been curating timeless, romantic, editorial weddings for couples across South Florida and destinations around the world, and her work has landed in Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Over the Moon.
She’s known for a calm presence and a meticulous eye for detail, and she’s bringing that same level of design to the shoot she’s building for our Miami stop.
Between the Miami setting and the design vision Zeiry is bringing, this stop is going to be the perfect finale of the retreat.
01
Step into a private luxury estate on the island's coast, where guest wedding planner Elisa Abreu of Elisa Abreu Weddings & Events brings her signature refined, romantic style to a fully realized editorial wedding shoot.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
- A complete styled ceremony
- A fully designed reception setup
- A real model couple
- & More
Casa Colonial Beach & Spa
THE destinations
03
The iconic Shelborne Miami Beach provides the backdrop for this second styled shoot, where VIP wedding planner Zeiry of Zeiry by Design transforms the historic oceanfront property into a refined editorial wedding, blending timeless Art Deco elegance with modern luxury and the unmistakable energy of Miami Beach.
MIAMI
- A complete styled ceremony
- A fully designed reception setup
- A real model couple
- & More
The Shelborne Miami Beach
THE destinations
THE SCARLET LADY
Set sail on the scarlett lady cruise ship
- Adults Only Cruise
- Modern and Spacious Balcony Room
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Complimentary Soft Drinks Onboard the Ship
- You can also upgrade your experience with an Alcohol Drinks Upgrade
- Swimming Pool & Hot Tub
- Redemption Spa & Nail Spa
- Gym & Sports Area
- Private Hideaway Cabanas
- Multiple Lounges, Bars, and a Casino
- 20+ Dining Options (all inclusive)
- Shows & Entertainment & more
ADDITIONAL AMMENITIES
Your Brand, Refined.
1:1 Brand & Website Audits with Studio Atelier
Onboard, every attendee gets a private one-on-one brand and website audit with Becca, founder of Studio Atelier — the design studio behind both the Dryden & Emily and Art of Luxury brands — who'll evaluate your brand and website through the eyes of your dream client. You'll leave with a custom one-page breakdown of clear, actionable next steps to position yourself for the luxury clientele you're meant to serve.
a glimpse at our past retreats
You belong here
Years from now, what you'll remember most is the photographer who became a trusted friend. The conversation that gave you the confidence to raise your prices. The educator who helped you see your business differently.
The Art of Luxury isn't simply about building a beautiful portfolio. It's about joining a community of photographers and filmmakers who are serious about creating extraordinary work, building meaningful relationships, and intentionally pursuing the luxury market.
Every retreat is different. The locations change. The educators change. The attendees change. The conversations that happen onboard can never be recreated. This isn't an experience you can simply catch on the next one.
If you want to take things to the next level in your business, there is nothing like this that has existed anywhere in the world. To visit multiple cities, multiple countries, and multiple locations, very thoughtfully put together, you can never find a styled shoot that compares to what we experienced on this retreat.
Miles sailed
luxury styled shoots
Cities visited
Countries Represented by Our Attendees
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Don’t Just Take it From Us
"It wasn't just about the shoots, it was the networking, connecting with like-minded people, and learning from the VIPs and Dryden and Emily. It has added so much value into what we invested in this retreat, and we can't thank them enough for putting this thing, this whole thing together."
Nuvo photo + Film
"You will come away with knowledge you probably haven't thought of, even if you think you've done enough courses, mentorships, there will be something that you learn. The wealth of knowledge in the room is all shared and collaborative."
victoria
"My business honestly skyrocketed after the first cruise, and that's why I came to the second one. I highly encourage everybody in any stage of business that is thinking about it to jump in because it is so worth it."
andoni gaRcia
"I've done several workshops and I have to say this is the best one. Being able to have the access to ask whatever, whenever is something that besides the education and the shoot is going to make an impact in my business."
irma
The Investment
5 night adults only Virgin Voyages cruise with accommodations & dining included
$6,850
SINGLE TICKET
$8,850
PLUS ONE TICKET
$12,850
DUO TEAM TICKET
2 luxury styled shoots
Group excursion in the Bahamas
Networking with 2 guest planners and 4 educators
4 in-depth educational sessions led by the VIPs and hosts to elevate your craft & business
Welcome party and signature send-off dinner
5 night adults only Virgin Voyages cruise with accommodations for 2 & dining included
2 luxury styled shoots
Group excursion in the Bahamas for attendee and plus one
Networking with 2 guest planners and 4 educators
4 in-depth educational sessions led by the VIPs and hosts to elevate your craft & business
Welcome party and signature send-off dinner
5 night adults only Virgin Voyages cruise with accommodations for 2 & dining included
2 luxury styled shoots
Group excursion in the Bahamas for 2 attendees
Networking with 2 guest planners and 4 educators
4 in-depth educational sessions led by the VIPs and hosts to elevate your craft & business
Welcome party and signature send-off dinner
*The Art of Luxury is even more meaningful when experienced with someone you already know. If you and a friend register together, we'll thank you both with a $100 credit.
Frequently asked questions
Fill out the application below, and once we receive it we will review it personally. We have a max of 30 spots to ensure an intimate community building experience. We will have 1:1 calls with attendees before the cruise to best form groups and roommate assignments.
The Art of Luxury is even more meaningful when experienced with someone you already know. If you and a friend each register, we'll thank you both with a $100 credit. Please send us a message if you're doing so!
