Mel (they/them) and Eliesa (she/her) have worked together for over 10 years and we’re just getting started! In short, the universe has always had big plans for us and we were destined to work together from the start. Eliesa started her photography businesses 19 years ago and Mel started as an intern, worked their way up to studio manager and the two are now official partners in Queer Family Portraits! 

Our work together and studio overall has made a big impact on the LGBTQIA+ wedding industry with our sister company Rivets and Roses. Over time, we kept receiving numerous inquiries from parents, particularly in search of affirming photographers for their non-binary seniors during senior photo time. Through this experience, we gained insight from families about the difficulty in clearly finding photographers who were truly accepting and affirming. Given our commitment to inclusivity in wedding photography, we already had the groundwork for producing empowering work for our clients and the community.

Before launching Queer Family Portraits, we dedicated ourselves to a deliberate process of working closely with families in the LGBTQIA+ community. This allowed us to understand their unique experiences with family photography and identify gaps in the industry. Drawing from both our own experiences and theirs, we have created a photography brand that serves as a conscientious platform for families of diverse backgrounds.

We believe every family member should feel valued and seen for who they are today. ♡