Hi, I’m Melissa Matheney — wife to my best friend, James Waylon, mama to four sweet girls, and one precious boy in heaven. I’m a traditional doula and birth photographer, drawn to the raw, the real, and the beautifully imperfect. I like to think of myself as a wanna-be homesteader… though keeping plants alive is still a work in progress.

Photography has been a lifelong love of mine because pictures hold more than just images — they carry emotion, memories, and the stories of people we never want to forget.

When I’m not behind the camera or soaking up family life, you can find me sipping a decaf almond milk latte, dreaming about world travel, or embracing my inner western-ranch spirit (even if I was born on the East Coast). These days, I’m based in the mountains of southwest Virginia, traveling every chance I get, and savoring the life God has given me — one sweet chapter at a time.

I like to do a little bit of modeling and self-portraits when I can. These were taken for a local vintage boutique in Staunton called Juniper Lane

Fun fact: I've been pregnant and/or breastfeeding for the last 5+ years! I've done many self-portraits documenting this time in our lives. 

my husband James Waylon is my best friend and motorcycle rides are our favorite kid-free activity 

I do what I do because it's all we have of them. I treasure the photos we have.

classic latte girly

wife

mama 

avid thrifter

currently inspired by european and mediterranean architecture. 

if it looks like it came from your grandmas victorian cottage i'm in love with it