We recently had the chance to connect with Anna Claire Schellenberg and have shared our conversation below.
Anna Claire, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Over the past three years, I poured myself into building things that were highly visible and measurable: launching Thin Spaces, which reached six figures in the first 90 days, organizing city-wide community events to bring people together post-COVID, training therapy dogs for families, and teaching 300+ high school students online. Each of those projects brought me immense joy, but they also left very little margin for rest.
A close friend once challenged me to build something that couldn’t be measured in dollars or accolades. At first, I didn’t know what to make of that. But I ended up planting a garden. I had zero patience for gardening in the past, but now I’m hooked. My sunroom is filled with tropical plants, and I’m constantly harvesting herbs and vegetables.
What I’ve realized is that plants don’t grow quickly, they grow steadily. They require attentiveness, consistency, and patience. That rhythm has taught me lessons I now apply to both business and life: be steady, trust the process, and don’t move with haste just because others are. Nurture different parts of your work at different times, lean on systems during busy seasons, and over time, the whole thing thrives
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Anna Claire Schellenberg, the founder of Thin Spaces Weddings, a creative brand that blends storytelling, photography, and film. My work started in the wedding world capturing celebrations in a cinematic, editorial style and has grown into producing destination experiences, brand content for boutique hotels, storytelling for fortune 500 companies, and capturing large-scale events.
What makes Thin Spaces unique from other production companies is the heartbeat behind it. I believe in creating moments where “soul meets story.” That might look like photographing a couple on a cliffside in Bali, designing a styled shoot that inspires other creatives, or hosting an event that brings people together after seasons of isolation.
Right now, I’m especially focused on expanding internationally while also building meaningful partnerships here at home. At the end of the day, whether I’m behind a camera, curating an experience, or leading a team, my goal is the same: to create spaces—literal and figurative—where people feel connected, seen, and inspired.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
I’ve gleaned wisdom from so many people, but the person who has influenced me most in the creative world is Joshaun Anderson. Early in my career, he showed me that in order to make a living as an artist, “good” isn’t enough, you have to create something that truly stands out that resonates with people.
When I entered the wedding industry, everything looked and felt the same: light-and-airy photos, predictable chronological films with soft piano tracks. Joshaun taught me not only about composition, settings, and gear, but more importantly, how to uncover the STORY within each wedding. He challenged me to build films that take couples on an emotional journey. This means, i break the mold. My films are often non-linear, contain multiple genres of music, and are structured in chapters. My goal is always to create something powerful enough to move even a stranger watching any wedding film.
Joshaun spent hours reviewing my films until we could dial in that emotional process, and that mentorship has shaped the foundation of my brand. Every couple’s story is different, and because of him, I approach each wedding as a unique piece of art rather than a formula. That mindset is what continues to set my work apart, and I’ll always be grateful for the time and wisdom he poured into me.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
This might sound very millennial, but I genuinely miss early social media. Back before COVID, social media grew communities and felt rooted in heart and authenticity. People created to share, connect, and inspire. Now the algorithm rewards trends and pushes it out to strangers, which means creators are incentivized to copy rather than create new ideas. It cheapens art, and in some ways, it turns us into robots instead of humans.
I’ve watched friends with millions of followers lose joy in the process because the genuine engagement they had at 10,000 followers doesn’t exist at 5 million. The metrics went up, but the meaning went down.
As a creative, my joy is where it belongs: sharing galleries and films directly with couples and clients. Those one-on-one reactions, tears, and laughter mean so much more than chasing likes on a platform. That’s the kind of impact that lasts.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would say that what matters most to me is creating memorable experiences where people feel genuinely seen and valued. When I moved during COVID and needed to build community, I started inviting people over to celebrate the smallest things whether it was the longest day of the year, a friend landing a new job, or a new movie dropping. Those small gatherings quickly grew into events with hundreds of people, and I realized how much joy I found in building spaces of belonging.
I always greet people with, “I’m so glad you’re here,” and I truly mean it. That authenticity creates warmth, and warmth is magnetic. My hope is always that when people leave, they feel lighter, more energized, and ready to carry that same light into the world around them.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Whenever I create a business, I’m committed to building it the right way from day one without cutting corners. That means investing in insurance, legal documents, detailed bookkeeping, and systems that many people in low-barrier industries tend to skip. It’s not the fastest path to profit, but it’s the most sustainable.
I lead with character in the way I treat clients, in how I run operations, and in how I measure success. Sometimes that approach feels slower, and the payoff isn’t always immediate. But I believe that doing things with integrity creates longevity, trust, and reputation. Even if I don’t see the return today, I know I’m laying a foundation that will pay off years down the road.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thinspacesweddings.com
- Instagram: @thinspacesweddings
- Youtube: @thinspacesproductions
