She Got Game

Photographer BRYAN MELTZ catches the moment before it runs away.

(Originally Published in RESPECT. #20. This Feature highlights Bryan’s B/Ws)

Words: Jasmina Cuevas

They say, “Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” And when it comes to Bryan Meltz’s work, nothing is more true.

Meltz has been fascinated by photography since she was 18. Working part-time for a photographer, she was amazed by the darkroom and the transition that the photos took from the camera to prints. Wanting to further her expertise in photography, Meltz moved to California and majored in visual journalism at a photojournalism school. It was the start to a very promising journey.

As time went on, Meltz not only became quite the experienced photographer, she was on everyone’s radar. Her enticing photographs caught the attention of The Fader magazine, and in 2006 they asked her to photograph rapper Blak Jak. It was Meltz’s first photo shoot, and of course everyone was beyond confused why a woman with the name Bryan showed up instead of a man. Much to Meltz’s surprise, the confusion broke the ice and the shoot ran smoothly. This was the beginning of a long-standing relationship between The Fader and Meltz.

Meltz continued to photograph quite a few rappers and artists, but one of her most beautiful pieces became a project that she has been working on for 10 years. While working on a documentary for PBS, Meltz met a family from Somalia that was moved to Atlanta from Kenya. As time went on, the family grew and Meltz grew with them, and they became a family. A family that started out as a project became a staple in Meltz’s life.

By now, Meltz’s résumé has grown to the extent that everyone knows who she is, and she comes highly recommended. But with such a humble aura, Meltz still has aspirations and goals that she would like to accomplish. She hopes to spend a day with André 3000 and photograph him at some point — which, for Meltz, shouldn’t be too hard to accomplish. In the meantime, she has just wrapped up her first short film, for the Centers for Disease Control on cancer survivors, and is looking forward to creating many more.

Meltz has become a seasoned photographer that many have come to look up to. Her work is in some ways magical and easily tells a story that many can understand. She has kept herself humble and in love with photography for quite some time — and for that, her work is unique.