We’re looking forward to introducing you to Chris Hiltz. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Chris, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My mornings are designed to set a positive tone for the rest of the day. I usually wake up and start with a big glass of water to rehydrate, then spend about 15–30 minutes doing a HIIT workout to get my energy up. After that, I clean up the house with my kids while we make breakfast together — it’s a fun way to connect and teach them responsibility. Once everyone’s ready, I hop on my bike and ride to work, which helps me clear my head and arrive feeling refreshed and focused.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Chris Hiltz — the founder and heart behind TLIC Wedding Photo & Video. We’re a wedding photography, videography, and planning team based in Maryland, serving couples across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. Our mission is simple: to make the journey to “I do” just as joyful and memorable as the wedding day itself.
TLIC started in 2018 with a passion for helping couples feel fully present on their wedding day. We combine heartfelt storytelling, a tech-savvy planning experience, and ridiculous hospitality to give couples peace of mind from the moment they book with us. Over the years, we’ve captured hundreds of love stories and continue to innovate — from easy-to-use planning tools to creative video options like our “FOMO Film,” which lets couples relive all the candid moments they might otherwise miss.
Right now, I’m also working on Prewedd, a new platform designed to help engaged couples discover venues and vendors more easily, making wedding planning less overwhelming and more exciting. At the core of everything I do is a desire to serve couples with empathy, joy, and authenticity — and to create experiences that they’ll cherish long after the big day.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is my relationship with Jesus. My faith has taught me that my worth isn’t tied to achievements or perfection but to being loved and called to serve others. It’s given me a deep sense of purpose, guided how I lead my family and business, and challenged me to show empathy, joy, and integrity in everything I do.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me humility and empathy in a way success never could. When life feels heavy, you realize how much you need others — and how much your kindness can mean to someone else. It’s shown me that character isn’t built when everything goes right; it’s shaped when you’re hurting and still choose to keep going. Success can feel rewarding, but suffering taught me compassion, resilience, and a deeper gratitude for the people and blessings in my life.
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 are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the wedding industry is that bigger and flashier automatically means better. So many couples feel pressured to have a picture-perfect day that looks like someone else’s Instagram feed instead of one that’s true to them. Another lie is that vendors should just “sell” instead of truly serving — when in reality, the best wedding pros act like guides, helping couples feel calm and confident, not overwhelmed. I’ve also seen the belief that creativity and great service can’t coexist with smart business practices. I think you can be both deeply creative and highly organized — couples deserve both beauty and a stress-free experience.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I loved God and people well — that I built my life around serving others, not just building things. I want to be remembered as someone who created beauty, gave generously, and helped people feel seen and valued. If my family, friends, and the couples I worked with say their lives were a little lighter, easier, or more joyful because I was in it, that would mean everything to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mytlic.com
- Instagram: @tlicmedia
- Facebook: @tlicmedia
- Youtube: @tlicmedia
- Other: Tiktok @tlicmedia
Image Credits
TLIC Wedding Photo & Video
