We recently had the chance to connect with Kirstin & David Hebert and have shared our conversation below.
Kirstin & David , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, one of the biggest sources of joy for me has been hosting women’s retreats, where my best friend and I create space for women to reconnect with their joy, alignment, and personal sovereignty. We usually hold these retreats in beautiful, natural settings—often on the beach—at times of year when the space feels quiet and rejuvenating, allowing participants to fully relax and recharge. Through thoughtfully designed exercises and immersive learning experiences, we help women connect more deeply with themselves and with each other. There’s truly nothing better than hearing someone say they’ve never experienced anything like this, that they feel at home, and that they’ve learned to give themselves grace and forgiveness. Seeing participants leave ready to embrace life in a new, empowered way is incredibly rewarding. This love for creating transformative experiences naturally carries over into my photography, where I aim to capture people authentically, helping them see themselves as others do and gain confidence in how they show up in the world. If anyone is interested in learning more about this work, they can find information about our retreats and podcast at SoulSecrets.life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We are David and Kirstin, a husband-and-wife photography and videography team who are absolutely in love with love—and with capturing it on camera! We’ve been photographing weddings together for almost 15 years, and over that time, we’ve developed a truly cinematic style that helps couples relive their day through both stunning photos and heartfelt wedding films. We love what we do and are dedicated to giving each couple the quality time, personalized service, and beautiful finished product that their day—and their story—deserve.
While we specialize in luxury weddings, we know not every couple has the budget for that level of experience. That’s why we launched Sway Weddings, our second company, which provides couples with the same care, attention, and beautifully crafted photos and videos at a price that’s accessible. Everyone deserves to have their love story captured in a meaningful, unforgettable way. You can learn more at SwayWeddings.com or about our luxury brand DK Weddings at DKHebertPhoto.com.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
David and I both grew up believing that success meant going to college, getting a “good” job, working that job for decades, and then finally having the freedom to enjoy life. Over time, we realized that true freedom isn’t something you postpone—it’s about creating a life that allows you to be fully present and to do the things that matter most, every day. Owning our own business gives us the flexibility to be there for our children, which is the most important thing in our lives, while also empowering us to create our own income and chart our own path. We think of ourselves as full-time creatives, not just photographers, because running a business requires constant creativity and problem-solving, and that process is incredibly fulfilling. Life, for us, is about embracing who you are and finding joy and excitement in every moment, even the small ones. It’s hard work, yes, but it’s work we love—and that’s what matters most. We hope everyone has the opportunity to experience that kind of joy and freedom in their own lives.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Starting your own business is never easy. While living the “American dream” of owning your own business and creating your own schedule sounds amazing, society doesn’t always make it simple. David and I were juggling full-time jobs, raising two small children, remodeling our home, and growing our photography business on the side. There were moments when we questioned if we had the courage to leave the security of our jobs and pursue our dream full-time…it felt extremely overwhelming.
Then fate stepped in: both of our full-time jobs ended, signaling it was time to focus entirely on photography. But almost immediately, COVID hit, and we lost most of the business we had scheduled for the next six months. At that point, there was nothing we could do but surrender to faith. We took a three-month break, the first real pause we’d had in years, and trusted that if full-time photography was meant to be, the work would return when the time was right. And it did…over the past five years, our business has not only recovered but flourished.
We are so grateful for the opportunity to do what we love, for the support of others, and for the reminder that everything truly works out when you trust the process. Living in the flow has brought us the most joy and success. Thank goodness we never gave up, and you shouldn’t either! We are living proof that dreams are worth pursuing, no matter the obstacles.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I truly believe in living in the flow, trusting that everything will work out as it should, and being fully present in each moment—no matter how big or small. Very few people agree with me (sometimes even David) because it can feel “irresponsible” or like you’re not doing enough if you’re not constantly planning or controlling the future. But for me, this mindset has brought joy, freedom, and trust in life for my entire 46 years (oops did I just reveal my age??).
Even in photography, this approach is essential—clients are trusting us to create something they’ve never seen yet, and while a little doubt can creep in, focusing on doing our best in the present moment consistently results in beautiful outcomes. Living this way allows us to embrace life fully and trust the process, and I truly believe it’s the most joyful way to experience life.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
If we didn’t create our second brand, Sway Weddings, we would regret not using our skills and experience to make a bigger impact. We’re passionate about helping every couple, no matter their budget, have beautiful photos and videos they can cherish forever. We realized that if we didn’t start a business that could create more opportunities and ripple effects, we wouldn’t be maximizing our purpose or income—and that would leave us with no true retirement plan.
Sway Weddings not only helps couples access an amazing experience, it also supports other photographers and videographers by giving them clients and income without the stress of running a full business. Over the past 15 years, we’ve learned that running a business is a separate talent from creating photography and videography. Sharing that knowledge and helping others succeed in their own businesses has become a new passion for us—and it’s something we would regret not pursuing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://DKHebertPhoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dkweddings.la?igsh=MTFnNHhkZG80ZTY3Zg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CCr6FJJgd/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://SwayWeddings.com
