Emma Melin Studios

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Prices start at $8,000

Elopement pricing

Prices start at $4,500

About Emma Melin Studios

Emma Melin Studios

Documentary Wedding Photographer

I am a queer, New York City-based photographer documenting candid joy and human connection. Drawn to emotion and the beauty in everyday moments, I approach my work with mindfulness and intuition – balancing gentle guidance with an observational presence. What I value most about my job is the ability to connect with people and witness their stories unfold in raw, vulnerable ways. I hope that my work is a reflection of these moments: honest, emotive, and intentionally seen.

Originally from Minneapolis, I’m now based in Brooklyn, where I live with my cat, Phoebe. I have a formal background in Graphic Design and previously interned at the United Nations. While I am a bit of a homebody, I enjoy the occasional flea market trip, spending time upstate, and trying new bars in Fort Greene. 2026 marks my 4th year in New York, and my 6th season photographing weddings.

Best of Zola 2026
Best of Zola 2025
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Best of Zola 2023

Services

Services

  • Bride-only session
  • Engagement session
  • Extra hours
  • Image editing
  • Printing rights
  • Second photographer

Photo formats

  • Film
  • Hybrid

Deliverables

  • Digital files
  • Digital rights
  • Online gallery

Reviews

Write a review
Rating: 5.0

5.0 out of 5

56 reviews

  • JL

    Jacob L.

    Rating: 5
    •Jul 3, 2026

    As good as it gets!

    We are so, so happy that we worked with Emma for our wedding. First of all, Emma’s got the goods. She’s a truly gifted photographer, and we are over the moon about the final set of wedding and engagement photos she delivered to us. But that’s just the start of why we wholeheartedly recommend working with her. Emma was the first vendor we booked aside from our venue, and it felt like she was our partner through the whole process – guiding us based on her experience not just with wedding photography but also wedding run-of-show in general (very helpful to us in our newbie planning phase). From introductory call to wedding day, Emma’s organization and attention to detail made us confident we were in good hands. Another thing we deeply appreciated about Emma is her emphasis on building relationships with the people she photographs. This especially came through during our engagement shoot and pre-wedding meeting – both served as invaluable opportunities for us to get to know each other, which helped us feel more comfortable in front of the camera on our wedding day. On the day itself, Emma was a calming presence – she made sure we built ample time into our photo schedule, so nothing felt rushed or stressed. During our ceremony and reception, she was remarkably unobtrusive, which helped her take lots of candid, natural photos (fun looking back at them and saying “how did she do that? I didn’t notice she was there!”). To top it all off, Emma delivered our final set of photos much quicker than expected, which was a wonderful surprise. So, don’t hesitate – book Emma!

  • LB

    Lena B.

    Rating: 5
    •Jul 2, 2026

    One of the best choices we made while planning!

    We truly cannot recommend working with Emma highly enough. It’s been over a year since our ceremony and we’re utterly in love with our photos. They’re gorgeous, and capture not just what the day looked like, but what it felt like. As incredible as the photos are, what sticks with us most is how much we loved working with her. She was completely game for every nutty idea we had—including taking a ferry for our engagement photos on an island. Beyond being unbelievably talented, she and her second shooter were simply wonderful people to have by our side on our wedding day. We feel incredibly lucky that we found Emma Melin Studios and want to work with Emma again if we find an opportunity!

  • NW

    Natalie W.

    Rating: 5
    •May 29, 2026

    Emma's biggest fan!

    Emma is the definition of a professional. She made this entire experience feel seamless and we never once questioned her style or ability to meet our expectations. She is so talented and genuinely strives to capture the energy of the day. In addition to her talent, she is a pleasure to be around! My husband and I felt so comfortable around her and trusted her from Day 1. If you are lucky enough to get the chance to work with Emma, DO IT!!!

  • RM

    Rachel M.

    Rating: 5
    •May 13, 2026

    Amazing Photographer

    Emma was a fantastic photographer! She kept everything moving along and gave direction when we needed it. She was great at wrangling everyone. She beautifully captured both staged/posed photos and candid moments. We are obsessed with all of the photos. She was also so fun and a great person to have around all day/night. She is a true professional, organized, lovely, and most importantly, takes amazing and meaningful photos.

  • HA

    Hayley A.

    Rating: 5
    •Mar 18, 2026

    If you want holy sh*t good wedding photos

    I found Emma shortly after getting engaged in a moment of serendipity; I was looking at tagged photos of my wedding venue on instagram and came across a beautiful photograph of my venue with the photographer describing it as a bucket list location for her to shoot. Fate. She was the very first vendor I booked and one of my proudest moments in the clusterf*ck chaos that is wedding planning. Emma is not only a joy to be around but also a genuine professional. She showed up early and guided us through the day with clear direction and communication, while still being flexible to our spontaneity. She kept our vision at the forefront of her mind while also keeping everything running smoothly and efficiently to where we actually had time to relax with our wedding party before the ceremony. After the wedding when our photos started rolling in and we began sharing them with friends and family, I received a response from a friend that accurately summed up my own feelings: “holy sh*t these photos are good.” So basically, if you want holy sh*t good wedding photos, you should definitely book Emma for your wedding.

Preferred vendors of Emma Melin Studios

Venue
The Whim
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
Minneapolis, MN
Starts at $7,500
Venue
The Whim
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
Minneapolis, MN
Starts at $7,500
Venue
The River Café
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
Brooklyn, NY
Venue
The Roundhouse
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
Beacon, NY

Real wedding inspiration featuring Emma Melin Studios

Show all photos
I am based in Brooklyn, NY. Weddings outside a 100-mile radius have a travel fee that ranges from $750-1250 depending on the exact location.
I have a handful of trusted second shooters who shoot with me. I select them based on their experience, skill level, and personality. I also make sure my second shooters pair well with my couples!
I do not, as it isn’t an accurate representation of my work! My turnaround time is 8-12 weeks after your wedding date. You will also receive a handful of previews within 2 weeks post-wedding day.
If that happens, which I hope it never does, I will find a trusted associate to fill in for me. The entire process would be the same, just a different face to capture your big day!
I shoot on the Canon R series and primarily shoot on Canon L-series prime lenses. I shoot hybrid, meaning film is automatically included in all of my packages. I shoot a mix of 35mm and medium format.
My team and I shoot all weddings using dual-card slots. This ensures we have a second copy of your day in case a card goes corrupt. As soon as I get home, I back up your day on two hard drives. I will not clear your wedding from my SD card until your gallery is delivered. I keep a copy of all RAW files on one of my hard drives for a minimum of 1 year after your gallery has been delivered.
My style is candid & fly-on-the-wall with a touch of gentle guidance. My editing is natural, true to life, and filmy.
After our consultation, I will send you a customized project proposal. Your 30% non-refundable retainer and signed contract are due upon signing. Once this is completed, your date is officially booked!

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