7 Questions For Wedding Photographer Eliana Melmed
Eliana Melmed is a wedding photographer and founder of Eliana Melmed Photography, who wants to help Jewish couples capture their special day authentically. Her work has been featured in Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, and Vanity Fair. JWA recently sat down with Melmed to learn more about her business and interest in Jewish wedding photography.
Emma Breitman: How did you first get involved in photography?
Eliana Melmed: Photography fell into my life almost by accident. In high school, I wanted to take a graphic design class, but it didn’t fit into my schedule. Photography did, so I took it without thinking too much about it.
That class ended up being a turning point (shoutout Mr. Tash). At the time, I was using my mom’s old camera and had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know how to change lenses or shoot in manual. But I learned how to be comfortable holding a camera and how to notice light, framing, and composition.
After I graduated from high school, I took a gap year and traveled a lot. I was gifted my own camera, a Nikon D3400, and I brought it everywhere. That’s when I realized I loved photographing people far more than photographing things. Landscapes were beautiful to see, but people felt meaningful to photograph. I loved capturing everyday life and small moments, especially in new places.
EB: What led you to photograph weddings?
EM: In college at the University of Chicago, I landed a job on the marketing team taking photos for social media, despite having very limited experience. The role required an in-person Photoshop test, which I passed against all odds thanks to a very intense night of last-minute studying. That job pushed me to learn quickly, gave me real confidence with a camera, and showed me how much I loved documenting moments as they happened.
Friends on campus started asking me to take LinkedIn headshots, which turned into grad photos and small paid sessions. When I graduated and moved to Salt Lake City, I booked my first family and couples sessions through Facebook community groups and sites like Thumbtack. That was a steep learning curve. I quickly realized that photographing couples requires comfort, direction, and trust, and that those skills take time to build.
Weddings came into my life slowly. Early on, the typical structure of wedding weekends made it harder to break in, so I built experience wherever I could. I offered free sessions, photographed couples who took a chance on me, and learned by doing. One of the most formative moments early on was photographing Ranana and Biny’s wedding. It was one of my first Jewish weddings, and it completely changed the trajectory of my work. Being in a space that felt so culturally familiar, photographing traditions I understood deeply, made everything click. I am endlessly grateful to Ranana and Biny for trusting me so early on and for opening so many doors simply by believing in me. That wedding led to more referrals, more trust, and more opportunities than I ever expected. From there, things started to grow naturally.
EB: What can people expect when they work with you?
EM: A lot of support and a very personal experience.
I spend time getting to know my couples before their wedding. I want to understand your relationship, your families, your traditions, and what matters most to you. That includes a nuanced understanding of Jewish weddings and the small details that make a big difference, like what exactly is going on under the chuppah (kiddushin? Double kiddushin? Shtar shutafit / brit ahuvim? I gotchu covered and I won’t miss a moment), or if you’re having a traditional tisch/bedeken or something else entirely (no tisch? Joint tisch? Two consecutive tisches? Nothing phases me). Knowing these details helps me tell your story in a way that feels real, respectful, and specific to you.
I also guide you throughout the process. You never have to wonder what to do in front of the camera. My goal is for you to feel comfortable, relaxed, and like yourselves.
EB: How does your Jewish identity inform your work?
EM: My Jewish identity shows up in my work in ways that are often hard to explain, but very easy to feel. There is a natural context I bring into Jewish weddings that comes from living inside this world, not just learning about it. I understand the flow of the day, the emotional weight of certain moments, and the unspoken expectations that aren’t always said out loud.
That matters when someone is capturing your memories. I know when to step back and when to lean in. I know which moments are fleeting but meaningful, which ones are purely logistical, and which ones will matter more to you years later than you might realize in the moment. That kind of awareness changes how a wedding is photographed.
It also means I can be a resource beyond just the camera. I’m happy to give recommendations, whether that’s where to order benchers, how to structure certain moments, or even small practical tips like how to smash the glass without slicing your foot. My role is not just to document the day, but to help it unfold smoothly and thoughtfully.
At the end of the day, Jewish weddings are layered, emotional, and deeply communal. Being part of that community allows me to photograph them with care, confidence, and a real understanding of what you’re building and why it matters.
EB: How do you approach photographing Jewish tradition?
EM: With respect and attention to meaning.
Every wedding is different. I take the time to understand what matters most to each couple. My goal is to honor your traditions in a way that feels true to you, not generic or assumed.
EB: Storytelling seems like a key piece of your work. What sorts of stories do you like to tell?
EM: I love telling stories about connection.
The big moments matter, but so do the quiet ones. A glance, a hand squeeze, a deep breath, a shared laugh. I focus on how moments feel, not just how they look.
EB: As a business owner, what advice would you give to people wanting to pursue entrepreneurship?
EM: Start before you feel ready.
You will learn more by doing than by waiting for confidence to appear. Invest in learning, treat your work like a real business early on, and do not be afraid to niche down.
Building something that actually feels like you makes all the difference.
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