PHOTOGRAPHER | Melody Joy Co.

Edinburgh-based photographer Melody Joy Co. shoots in digital format as well as 35mm and instant film. With a passion for monochromatic photography, she captures weddings worldwide. Melody Joy Co. splits her time between Scotland and Chicago and finds inspiration in architecture, fashion and cinema.

Tell us about Melody Joy Co.!

My business started from me initially doing web and graphic design and doing photography for commercial clients and events, and then slowly started photographing friends and couples around me and realizing meaningfulness in those moments stirred my creativity and passion more than other kinds of photography. So I've been focused and niching down my couples to style led lovers who resonate with my modern edge style and love of monochromatic photography. 

What would you like couples to know about you?

A little bit about me personally, I love Korean Dramas, a solid cup of single origin filter coffee (Geisha's especially) and all things Housewives. I tend to start talking with a lot of passion about these things. 

Where are you based?

I'm based in Edinburgh, Scotland, but travel regularly to the United States, as I am originally from there. Specifically, I still frequent Chicago, IL regularly throughout the year. 

Do you travel for weddings?

Yes, traveling is how I stumbled upon my now husband and how I found myself living in Scotland now. So yes, I absolutely love traveling! I think that the creativity of photographing in a new venue in a new city or country that I've never shot in before, only makes the photos more interesting and unique. 

How would you describe your style?

I am a laid back person, but love to bring out the sass of my couples with flash during portraits. Other parts of the day though I just focus on little moments of interactions between their loved ones and trying to capture details from an interesting perspective, but the composition will always remain focused. 

What inspires you?

I'm inspired by fashion in magazines and editorials in places like Violet Book, The New Order, ID, and Paper Mag, architecture (lots of styles, like Frank Lloyd Wright, modern brutalist and even Georgian), cinema (Korean dramas and old monochromatic films and tv shows, like Hitchcock). 

What motivates you to do what you do?

It's fairly simple for me, but I love working for myself, I love bringing joy to others and I love creating something that is genuinely meaningful to someone. Those things really fuel me to keep going daily and to do so to the best of my ability.   

Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?

I love both! Although I photograph mostly on digital, I always have film as an add-on for any couples who want memories in 35mm or instant film photos on their wedding days! 

Do you have custom packages according to individual needs?

I have three Wedding Collections and two Elopement Collections in my Pricing Brochure, but also have an "A La Carte" page that has hourly rates if someone wants to add hours or customize hours for other events on the wedding weekend, like a welcome dinner or day after party. 

What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why?

I love that every photo I deliver is in both color and black and white. I personally will most likely share the black and white versions, but I do think it's nice for the couple to look back at the tones of their wedding day years from now and generations to come to see the color palette that was chosen or the fashion details of guests outfits or florals or the sunset in color. 

Where would you love to travel to for work?

I would love to travel to any of these places for work (but honestly just planning on going either way in the years to come) to Seoul, South Korea, Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, and Stavanger, Norway where my Grandpa was born and my dad's side of the family is from.   

Who is your dream client?

A dream client or couple for me, is someone who fully connects with my work and is inspired by how I captured a wedding day. When there is full creative trust, the photos always turn out amazing and is a more chill and relaxed experience for everyone on the wedding day, to the editing and then to eventually grabbing dinner (as I often do with my couples), because we end up as actual friends afterwards!

melodyjoy.co

@melodyjoyco