We had the good fortune of connecting with Joe Schmelzer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Isn’t this the million dollar question? I think i have shifted my thinking on this the older I have gotten. Life changes, and priorities change. I had always been a work-a-holic, but I think after the pandemic, and the loss of my father, my thoughts on this have changed. I love my job and what I do, but the idea of constantly working, and stressing about work, isn’t a very fun way to live. I have definitely spent more time on personal projects, and spending time with my chosen family. I think vacations, and travel also recharge me creatively and personally, and find this to be very very important.

This work/life balance has been even more important lately. I wanted to find ways to survive financially and be able to enjoy more quality time. So I also have started a new business. I have long been into fitness, and I have created a new fitness supplement brand, which is just launching. Be sure to check in out – @grnsession on instagram and grnsession.com. This new endeavor has been so exciting to create and can’t wait to share it with people.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Well, I have been a photographer/artist for as long as I can remember. But I turned that passion into a career after attending the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and earned my BFA. I then moved to NYC and worked many jobs with professional photographers, some famous, some not so much, but learned a lot. I knew I wanted more than to be an assistant, so I went and earned my MFA in photography at CalArts. I completed that in 1999, and have been working as a professional photographer and director ever since, While I am known for my interior and architecture photography, my true passion is my fine artwork, and my extensive series about life with my husband (together for 13 years) – ‘Life with Nick’
I am mostly known for my environmental commercial work with an emphasis on interiors, architecture, hospitality, and travel, as well as portraits in that same vein. I always strive to show to show how a moment feels, as opposed to merely what it looks like. At least, that is my goal. I am also known some in the fine art market, for my personal work, with my husband, “Life with Nick”. I cannot speak to anyone else, but I think what sets me apart, is my care, passion and low-key approach to the work, I love making ordinary moments seems exordinary in a very natural way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well honestly I am kinda a homebody. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time in my home, yard, pool and neighborhood. I tend to want to cook and prepare my own food, and food for our guests as well. Happy to take a stroll to York (Highland Park), for the shops and coffee. And definitely a trip to Villas Tacos (the OG Highland Park location) – the best in the city!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My biggest supporter is my husband, Nick Berry (@nicktberry).

Website: www.joeschmelzer.com / and my new fitness supplement company- www.grnsession.com

Instagram: @treasurbite / @joeschmelzer / @grnsession

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeschmelzer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/treasurbite

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/treasurbitestudio / https://www.facebook.com/jschmelzer

Other: tiktok @treasurbite

Image Credits
All images / Joe Schmelzer / from the series “Life with Nick” – with husband Nick Berry (@nicktberry).

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