Today we’d like to introduce you to Elly Weisenborn
Hi ELLY, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I found an interest in photography at a young age—around 14—and immediately knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. In the beginning, I photographed everything: my mom gardening, random objects around the house, even the muffins she baked that day.
As I got older, I worked various jobs, many of them in the restaurant industry as a server and bartender. After taking a year-long hiatus in 2020 due to COVID, I swore I’d never go back—haha. But when a friend needed help opening a restaurant she was managing, I took a job as a host. Since they were a new restaurant, they needed photography and a social media manager. One day, the photographer they had scheduled didn’t show up, so I jumped in to photograph their food. That moment led to me managing their social media and doing all their photography and content creation.
From there, I picked up work with their sister restaurant and multiple other spots in downtown Memphis. One opportunity led to another, and I had the privilege of working with Edible Memphis magazine, which I still collaborate with often.
One thing Memphis does really well is food, and I fell in love with capturing that through photography. The passion that chefs and restaurant owners pour into their work is inspiring, and I love helping them showcase it. Managing social media came naturally alongside photography, and I’ve grown to truly enjoy it. For me, it’s about bridging the gap between creative vision and business strategy—that’s become the foundation of my work.
Today, I run my own business, helping restaurants and brands bring their creative vision to life through photography and social media management.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think any small business owner can say their journey has been completely smooth, but I believe there’s beauty in the hardships we face. We pour everything we have into what we’ve built, and even if there’s just a small strand of hope, we hold onto it tightly. No one wants to see something they’ve invested their livelihood in fail.
Many of Memphis’ greatest local restaurants have had to close, especially in the past couple of years—places no one wanted to see go. It’s been heartbreaking to watch people in our community make those difficult decisions. In my line of work, that impact trickles down. Some restaurants have to prioritize other expenses over marketing, making it tough to secure clients in the current climate.
Still, I keep pushing forward, and we all hope for better days ahead.
We’ve been impressed with Dine & Dash Media, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a photographer and social media manager specializing in food, drink, and environment—essentially capturing everything that brings a restaurant to life. In addition to photography, I offer branding services, graphic design, marketing strategies, and content scheduling to help businesses establish a strong and consistent presence.
I’m most known for my food photography, but what I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is my consistency and attention to detail when working with clients. I take the time to understand each brand’s unique vision and ensure that every image and marketing strategy reflects that.
Whether through stunning visuals, strategic marketing, or creating a more personal, homey feel, I want to work closely with my clients to bring their vision to life and help them achieve their goals.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe consistency is the most important factor behind my success. In both photography and social media, maintaining a high standard of quality while ensuring a brand’s identity remains cohesive and recognizable is essential. A strong, steady presence helps businesses build trust and connect with their audience. While adaptability and attention to detail also play a role, it’s consistency that creates lasting impact and helps brands grow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dndmedia.co/
- Other: https://www.threads.net/@dndmedia.co
