2025 Dove Awards

Capturing Iconic Moments at Christian Music’s Biggest Night

Industry

Music

SERVICES PROVIDED

Photography
Video

Project Overview

The Challenge

For the seventh year in a row, Wander partnered with the Gospel Music Association to produce the Dove Awards Artist Portrait Studio. 2025 marked a new chapter. Moving from Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena to Bridgestone Arena gave us more space to create, and with it came the chance to expand. Alongside the Portrait Studio, we launched a new EPK video capture booth for press, giving artists a place to record media-ready content in real time.

The challenge was twofold:

  1. Create a branded experience that matched the vision and energy of the night.
  2. Capture and deliver 30 to 50 artist sessions in just a few hours, with select photos and video clips available the same night and full packages delivered within 24 hours.

Our Approach

We started by visualizing this year’s branding with the GMA team and brainstorming how we could bring it to life. After an early walkthrough of Bridgestone Arena, our team developed creative concepts for the Portrait Studio and planned the addition of the EPK booth. Every detail was designed to reflect the Dove Awards’ brand vision while also creating a memorable and professional experience for artists, presenters, and winners coming straight off the stage.

To handle the high volume and fast pace of the night, we built an execution plan that prioritized clarity and efficiency:

  • A lead photographer supported by an assistant to keep sessions flowing smoothly.
  • A hospitality coordinator to greet artists, manage slates, and keep talent moving.
  • An on-site editor to process selects in real time for immediate press release inclusion.
  • A project management system with Asana and spreadsheets to ensure every artist’s photos and videos were captured, tracked, and delivered without error.

The Execution

In a matter of hours, we transformed a space inside Bridgestone Arena into a branded studio and EPK booth, complete with custom backdrops, lighting, and organized workflows. Our team moved quickly to capture portraits and video moments from dozens of artists, often within minutes of them leaving the stage or finishing press commitments.

Select assets were delivered the same night for use in GMA’s press release, with the full package organized and sent to the GMA team within 24 hours. This turnaround allowed GMA to immediately begin their promotional push ahead of the telecast that Friday.

The Result

The 2025 Dove Awards Portrait Studio and EPK Studio delivered:

  • Dozens of artist sessions captured in a matter of hours, each aligned with the event’s brand vision.
  • Press-ready photo and video assets turned around the same night for maximum media impact.
  • A full, organized delivery within 24 hours, ensuring artists and media outlets had access to visuals before the broadcast.
  • A seamless expansion into EPK video capture, giving GMA and participating artists even more content to tell their stories.

Why It Worked

This project worked because it combined creative vision with airtight logistics. Our team understood the pace and pressure of the Dove Awards and built a system to match. By aligning the visuals with the event’s brand, managing the process with precision, and delivering assets with unmatched speed, we gave GMA and the artists an experience that felt elevated, professional, and unforgettable.
The Dove Awards is one of Christian music’s most celebrated nights. With Wander behind the lens and running the system, the memories of that night are captured, preserved, and shared at the level they deserve.