A Little About Me

I’ve always enjoyed photographs and looking back on precious moments and irreplaceable memories. Before being a mother, I didn’t appreciate the true importance of capturing all those milestones of my baby or sweet family time together. Now that I know how fleeting time travels, I want to help others add to their memory capsule with timeless images of their own. Captured by Clay Photography specializes in newborn and child photography in Georgetown, Lexington and all of Central Kentucky. All of my pictures are taken using natural light. My photographs are kept as natural and “real” as possible, while still being polished for print to look beautiful hanging in your home.

A bit more…

I’m Melissa and am looking forward to meeting you and hearing your story. I live in Georgetown, Kentucky with my husband Preston, sweet son Kaz and baby girl Kalynn Reese. I love being a wife and mommy. I also just LOVE children! It is this love for children that has driven me to hone the art of newborn and child photography.

Fun Facts about ME:

• I am a crazy list maker – post-its are my fave
• I’m addicted to Diet Mt. Dew and wearing scarfs
• I am terrified of tornados
• My favorite flower is hydrangea
• I am 4 years older than my husband (Yes, I did that on purpose, so he could take care of me;)
• I teach elementary school
• Prior to teaching, I sold thoroughbred horses for over 5 years (random, I know!)

Peer Reviews

Melissa is a phenomenal photographer with an eagerness to learn like nothing I have ever seen! The transformation I have seen from when I first met her until now has been incredible and you can tell she soaks in everything that she hears/learns and you can see it in her work. She continues to push herself and get better and better. Melissa produces beautiful, clean work that puts a smile on your face whenever you see it.

Carrie Thompson, my mentor and owner, Carrie Lynne Photography|  

Finding fellow newborn colleagues who share a passion for their craft as well as hold standards for newborn safety and professionalism can be a challenge. I am so glad to have met Melissa and had an opportunity to see her shoot and work with newborns firsthand. She is a very skilled photographer, and you can see how much she enjoys working with newborns with every shot she takes!

– Jackie Rohling Baughman, owner of Cream n Cocoa Photography|  

Not only is Melissa one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met but she’s one fantastic photographer. Her work speaks for itself!
–Amy McDaniel, owner of Dewdrops Photography|  

I have worked with Melissa for the past year and she has been an absolute doll to work with. I get so giddy when I see her photos. Her style is so clean and you can tell she puts all the attention on the adorable babies she captures. I appreciate that she uses so many amazing props, but never over does it. I can tell from the interactions that I have had with her that she truly loves what she does!!
–Modern Rag Quilts (vendor), owner |  

What clients say…

Melissa did a great job with my newborn!! He was not the most cooperative baby but she was super patient with him and she was able to get some awesome photos!! She also was able to get some of my 15 month old that were precious! Would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a newborn or child photographer!
-Savannah Williams

Melissa did am excellent job during our newborn session with my son. I was very impressed she could get my son to pose however she wanted. Melissa was very sensitive to Nolan’s needs and executed each shot with ease. I look forward to getting my kids’ pictures taken again with her in the future.
-Shelley Chapman

Melissa has such a fun personality that is infectious to any children around her. My daughter, who is usually very shy, warmed up to Melissa almost instantly. The results were absolutely stunning, candid shots of my little girl giggling and having fun. We will definitely use Captured by Clay in the future for our family’s photography needs.
-Elizabeth Mills