Cover Artist – Melissa Elzy

On Our Cover Melissa Elzey “For the love of it.”

Born in McRae, Georgia in Telfair County, Melissa Elzey is now a resident of the mountains. There is just something about those south Georgia accents, isn’t there? They are as sweet as the tea with a Gone with the Wind sophistication. After her father, Jack McGinty passed away when she was 14 years old, Melissa and her mom made the move to Dublin, Georgia. Having a fascination with photography and having worked on school newspapers and yearbooks she planned to further that education. In 1977 Melissa took the photography course at North Georgia Technical College. She explored the world of Wedding Photography but found it can be very stressful. She found more pleasure in God’s beautiful creations: the landscape, animals and nature.

Melissa was employed at an electronic company where she worked for 29 years. In that time she married and had a beautiful daughter and three grandchildren. She beams, like most grandmothers, when she speaks of them. After retiring, her marriage ended and Melissa decided to make the move to the mountains to be near her mother, Jan Rutland. She knew she would find peace and plenty of natural beauty to photograph here. What she didn’t plan for was finding a man who she adores and who cherishes her, but that is exactly what God had planned. Attending a bible study at Tiger Methodist Church with her mother, Melissa met Gary Elzey. The couple soon began to date and that included cameras and hiking, both of which she loves.

Melissa needed a job, retirement didn’t suit her, she had always worked. She heard through her mom that Dr. Callahan was going to be the children’s dentist at the Rabun County Health Department and was in need of a dental assistant. Without formal schooling she was offered “on the job training” with Dr. Callahan and she accepted. A much needed relationship formed between them. Dr. Callahan became a mentor and father figure to her. In fact in 2016 Dr. Callahan walked her down the aisle when she married Gary Elzey, a former Rabun County Middle School and High School teacher who taught math, science and technology.

When Covid-19 became a global pandemic, the Rabun County Health Department took on testing and later vaccinations. Melissa found herself working in many different roles, wherever she was needed. Aside from her work, Melissa is the event photographer for the Lake Burton Fun Run and the His Last Days drama as well. Along the way she has had opportunities to go on medical missions to Haiti with the Clayton Baptist Church. Anyone you talk to that has answered this call will tell you that it is life changing. The Haitian people are so grateful to learn about Jesus. They are in need of medical and dental care. They bathe in the rivers and wash their clothes there as well. The children have no toys or bikes. Families make do with very little. As most people do, Melissa came home with a new appreciation for the simple things.

When it comes to cameras, she began with a Kodak 110, moving to Minoltas of which she has two, but today she shoots with a Canon camera. You can tell from her photography that she knows how to use it! On our cover is a shot of a hot air balloon that was at Julep Farms in Dillard, Georgia. The owners had the balloon there to take guests up for their first annual hot air balloon over Julep Farms. The lady in the balloon was there to celebrate her 90th birthday and her first time in a hot air balloon. It was a great capture and the colors are magnificent. Melissa has a portfolio that includes many waterfalls, rivers and mountain shots, but also photos from the Savannah Wildlife Refuge, Jekyll and Tybee Islands.

Getting to know Melissa better was a pleasure as we sat chatting over coffee. Her eye for photography is exceptional and her editing skills are the same. I enjoy her photography, I find it comforting and the pleasure she takes in capturing them comes through. When I asked about websites and storefronts she smiled and said I don’t want to make it a job, that takes the joy out of it. “I do it for the love of it.” But, before you despair I did find that she has some photography at the Mountain Grill restaurant in Clayton. Located in the Depot Center at 677-C Highway 441 S. in Clayton. She also takes commissions and is available for event photography. Melissa can be reached by e-mailing mmelzey2002@gmail.com.