Life & Work with Chris Schmitt of Westlake Village

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Schmitt.

Hi Chris, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My love for photography began in high school, sparked by an inspiring teacher whose enthusiasm was contagious. He encouraged me to keep shooting, and for a time, I did. Shortly after graduating, I moved from LA to Hawaii, where life took a different turn—one that ultimately led me to sell my camera just to make rent. Photography was put on hold, but not forgotten.

Five years later, I found myself back in Los Angeles working in commercial production as a set dresser. While the job had its moments, it lacked the creative fulfillment I was searching for. During that time, I began dating an actress who, after hearing my frustrations about not finding my purpose, surprised me with a camera and two lenses. That moment changed everything. It was the turning point where I made the decision to go all in on photography. Along with the gear, she helped me land my first paid job shooting headshots for a group of actors. Although the relationship didn’t last, her role in my journey was pivotal—and something I remain deeply grateful for.

While continuing to work in set design, I pursued photography as a side hustle. In 2000, I enrolled in photo school to deepen my understanding of studio lighting and refine my technical skills. Early on, we were asked to choose a mentor whose work inspired us—I chose David LaChapelle for his bold creativity and incredible boundary-pushing imagery. Just two months into the program, I received an unexpected call to work in the art department for LaChapelle himself. It felt like the universe confirming I was on the right path.

That opportunity evolved into nearly three years of working closely within his world—both in New York and Los Angeles. It was an intense, unforgettable experience that I often describe as both the best of times and the most challenging. From there, I went on to work alongside other legendary photographers including Peggy Sirota, Herb Ritts, Matthew Rolston, and Annie Leibovitz. Although I remained in the art department, I immersed myself in the process—studying lighting, observing the assistants, and absorbing everything I could on set. That real-world education proved invaluable and laid the foundation for my career behind the camera.

In 2003, I married the love of my life, Andrea, and together we built what would become a thriving photography business. I taught Andrea how to shoot, and we made the leap into wedding photography as a team. That transition marked the beginning of my full-time career as a professional photographer—a dream realized.

Over the past two decades, we’ve captured more than 1,000 weddings along with countless events and portrait sessions. Our work has been featured across major media outlets including The Today Show, OWN Network, Good Morning America, Los Angeles Magazine, InStyle, The Knot, Brides, Ceremony Magazine, Grace Ormonde, and California Wedding Day, among others.

In 2011, I founded 805 Studios in Ventura County—a full-service photography and creative studio designed to support both my own productions and the broader creative community. In 2022, we relocated from Moorpark to a larger warehouse space in Westlake Village, allowing us to expand our vision even further. Most recently, the studio evolved to include a curated photography art gallery representing over 20 artists, while also serving as a premier private event space.

Today, 805 Studios stands as a vibrant creative hub—blending photography, art, and community. It’s not just a place I work—it’s a space where ideas come to life, collaborations happen organically, and creativity thrives.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting and running any business is never without its challenges. Choosing to go all in on photography—especially in a city like Los Angeles where everyone seems to have a camera—can feel either really brave or completely insane. There were definitely moments where I questioned it. But my dad always told me, ‘Pick something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.’ That stuck with me.

Photography, for me, has always been about problem-solving—figuring it out in real time, under pressure. And over the years, I’ve learned how to take those frustrating moments and flip them into something creative, something fun… and that mindset has made all the difference.

The studio is now growing into something larger than I ever expected and with the help of my business partner James Williams and Art Curator Howard Finn, its an bright future ahead!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
That’s always a funny question for me because I’ve never really fit into one box—and honestly, I never wanted to. I’m a photographer at heart, but what I really do is tell stories for people and brands. That can look like shooting a wedding one day, a corporate event the next, and then jumping into a commercial or product shoot right after.

A lot of people in this industry will tell you to niche down, pick one lane, and stay there. I’ve heard that advice my entire career—and I’ve pretty much done the opposite. I’ve always been drawn to the variety. I like the challenge of switching gears, working with different types of clients, and solving different creative problems. It keeps things fresh and forces you to grow.

At our core, we specialize in people—capturing real moments, real energy, whether that’s a couple on their wedding day, a CEO needing a strong presence in a headshot, or a brand trying to tell their story visually. I think what we’ve become known for is consistency and experience. We know how to walk into almost any situation and make it work, no matter the pressure.
What I’m most proud of is the longevity. Over two decades in, still doing what I love, still evolving, and having built something alongside my wife that’s not just a business, but a creative life. Hitting that 1,000 weddings milestone was huge, but honestly, it’s the relationships and trust we’ve built along the way that matter most.

What sets us apart? I’d say it’s that mix of real-world experience and adaptability. We didn’t come up through just one path—we’ve seen everything from high-end commercial sets to intimate, once-in-a-lifetime personal moments. That perspective lets us connect with clients in a different way. We’re not just showing up to take photos—we’re there to figure it out with you, make you feel comfortable, and deliver something that actually means something.

At the end of the day, we’ve built a career by trusting our instincts instead of following the rules—and that’s probably the biggest differentiator of all.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m a bit of a tech nerd when it comes to photography, especially with how fast AI has changed the game. I’m always looking for tools that help me work smarter, not harder. Apps like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom have obviously been staples forever, but newer tools like Aftershoot for culling and Pic-Time for delivery and sales have been huge for my workflow.

Honestly, it feels like having a built-in assistant. Between organizing thousands of images, speeding up editing, delivering galleries, and even helping with sales and marketing—it frees me up to focus more on the creative side and the client experience, which is really where I want my energy to go.

I think the key is embracing the tools without losing the craft. Technology helps you scale, but your eye, your experience, and how you connect with people—that’s still what makes the difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.chrisschmitt.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschmittphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisschmittphoto
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisschmittphoto/
• Other: https://www.805studios.com

Image Credits
©chrisschmitt.com