Naama & David | Beth Ahabah & Marble Hall Wedding | Richmond, Virginia

There are so many things we love about the way this couple chose to start off their marriage - with family, heritage, culture, community, and amazing French Connection shoes. Naama and David first met at Tel Aviv University and reconnected later in Washington DC at Zaytinya - a Jose Andres' restaurant - where the menu read, "Are you ready for this because I believe your life is going to change forever." Later, David went back to the restaurant, got one of the menus, and framed it for Naama as a gift. They've started the tradition of going back for every anniversary and it's even where they got engaged!

We are incredibly honored to have been a part of these joyful moments in your lives. Congrats Naama and David - we love you and your love!

Ceremony Venue | Congregation Beth Ahabah

Reception Venue | Marble Hall at the VMFA

Florals | The Flower Guy Bron

Hair | Soft Parade in Richmond

DJ/Band | Sam Hill Bands

Videography | Kelsey & Nate

Cake | David Craig

Catering | VMFA

Invitations | The Bride - Naama Ben-Daat

Wedding Dress | Madison James

Bridesmaid's Dresses - Mori Lee

Scan Lab | The FIND Lab

Second Shooter | Folklife Photography

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According to Snapchat

Life > hustle

Something I’ve been processing and talking through with Nate over the past month. We LOVE our couples and are honored that we get be part of incredible moments – it’s life giving. We serve clients by making sure we’re filled up – that we’re pursuing passions, staying healthy, and spending intentional time together.  

So in honor of intentional time, the NBA playoffs, and Lebron James, Nate’s birthday came 3 months early.

When I picked up Nate on Wednesday for Chipotle, he didn’t go back to work. Instead, we went straight to Ohio to attend our FIRST professional basketball game. When he got in the car after lunch, there was a Cavs shirt draped over his seat. He thought the shirt was the surprise and was super thankful for it – like the children who open vegetables as prank Christmas presents and love them. Once Nate processed that his bags were packed for him and that work was being left in Lynchburg, he got excited.

We spent the night in Lebanon and headed to Cleveland the next day for the game. In true Schwenk fashion, we ran from our hotel and made it just in time for tipoff. It was fierce. Cavs fans love their team and they show it passionately. Plus, playoff game attendees get free t-shirts…if only yellow were my color.

My favorite part was watching Nate enjoy the game while eating arena chicken tenders and fries. His favorite part of the trip was the game. I know because he kept saying “I didn’t know how much I would love this.” I call that a birthday win.

Given that Nate is an incredible driver and I’m an amazing car sleeper, I came back rested for Saturday’s wedding at Diamond V Farm where I second shot for Ashley Elizabeth Photography.

This brings us up to date with our Snapchat happenings. If you’re not already following, you can find me at kelsey.schwenk and Nate at nate.schwenk to keep up with updates in real time. Be warned though – if you follow me you basically follow #ourdoghenry. Because Henry > hustle.

Julie & Shaun | Sweet Briar Romantic Engagement | Charlottesville, Virginia

Julie and Shaun are the epitome of troopers. Our venue plans got derailed, the sun decided it wasn’t ready for spring, and there might have been a policeman join the celebration at one point. Nevertheless, they rolled with it and were completely calm. (annnd even indulged my cheesy jokes)

When couples relax and enjoy time with each other, we’re able to capture amazing natural reactions and authentic emotions. Having a relaxed environment also means that having photos taken feels less like “having photos taken” and more like hanging out with friends. This leads to magical photos during engagement sessions and wedding portraits and these two nailed it.

For the location, we went to one of our new favorite places - Sweet Briar College. This beautiful campus with tons of variety is tucked right in between Lynchburg and Charlottesville. For their outfits, Julie’s dress, shoes, and details were a dream and Shaun’s dapper selections were amazing choices. All of these things combined means that this session is becoming one of my fast favorites!

Congrats Julie and Shaun, we’re so excited for you and your upcoming marriage and are honored to be a part of this amazing time in your lives!

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Why You Should Attend Creative at Heart

We’re always on the hunt for a Netflix/Hulu find to captivate us in our downtime. Our latest hook is “The Profit” where Marcus risks his time and money into businesses that are struggling. Most times they accept his offer of equity in their company and sometimes they don't - which we usually think is dumb. It's a riveting show folks and it's instigated crazzzzy conversations over here. And by crazy I mean pretty normal. They consist of us discussing good conflict in reality TV shows to Nate deciding to crunch our numbers and both of us coming to the conclusion that calling Marcus isn’t the best way to improve our skills in photography, videography, and business.

BUT there are other outlets in which we better our skills and the administrative side of business. For example, Nate, looooves his podcasts. Entre Leadership is one he’s had on constantly – even when I’m trying to sleep on road trips. For me, I love watching Creative Live and reading blogs. For both of us, personal interaction through conferences and workshops has been one of our favorites. While we wouldn’t trade honing our skills at the Herrinton’s Video Workshop and Jeremy Chou’s Film Photography Workshop, there will always be a special place in my heart for the first one I attended - Creative at Heart.

At this conference, there’s an amazing line-up of speakers who represent all different aspects of the creative community. So it’s not solely photographers and it’s not based on a certain skill. While photography and videography is our sweet spot, getting outside of our specific realm and interacting with other creatives makes us a stronger business. From sessions, to Q & A breakout panels, to late night conversations with other women who “get it,” this conference reaches the spectrum of women who have dreams of starting a business or who are already established.

“Our heart's desire is to provide practical, inspirational and affordable education to those in the creative fields. Whether you've been in business for a few years, or your business is still a dream, our goal is to provide you with the tools you need to build a successful business and make those big dreams happen.  We want you to know that you're not alone. Our motto of 'Here's to the Creatives' reminds us to stand proud under a banner of community; to hold out a hand to your neighbor, to share & give & help & love. You see, it's always, always better when we're together.”

Doesn’t that make you feel like you’ve found your tribe? An instant community? Me too. Which is why I’m trying to convince Nate that I need to go to Denver July 24-25th :)

If you’re looking for a conference to inspire you catch your dream and connect with other creatives; this is it. I left with a greater understanding of why we we're in this business. I left knowing that quitting my day job was a reality. I left knowing that if I did quit my day job, that Nate would be okay with getting a pet - #ourdoghenry.

Registration opens tonight at 8 and there will be a 48 flash hour sale that you’ll want to take advantage of! Plus, Denver. (Vert Kitchen’s House Roast Turkey Sandwich. You’ll thank me later).

So text some friends – and set your alarm for 8pm EST. Let's channel our inner Leslie Knope and catch our dreams together!

Photo by The Herrintons

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