Untitled Poppies

Every artist has a muse. Hanover photographer Melissa Diane Clayton finds much of her creative inspiration in her garden. Specializing in documentary-style portraits and still-life photography, she has developed a substantial body of work that captures the fleeting yet timeless beauty of cut flowers. First inspired by a botanical drawing she saw displayed at the Scarlet Oak Tavern in Hingham, she decided to start exploring the art of still life photography in 2020. Often photographed on a dark background, Clayton’s floral portraits are both lush and haunting. 

“My cousin once called them my vanitas: a style of still life from the 17th century that drew attention to the brevity of life,” says Clayton. “I feel like my work is a combination of vanitas, memento mori (which carries similar connotations but are more religious in meaning), and Dutch still lifes.” Clayton sources her flowers locally, often from her own garden or South Shore flower farms. She spends time studying each bloom before taking out her camera. Recently, a shift in her studio setup sparked new inspiration. “With the studio rearranged, the light comes in through the right of the frame and it has caused these very dramatic yet playful shadows,” says Clayton. “It’s made me fall in love with my work in a new way.” One of her newest photos, titled “Untitled Poppies,” will be featured in her forthcoming 2026 calendar. 

“I remember wondering if I would ever find the thing I was meant to do,” says Clayton. “From the first time I watched a photograph slowly develop in the darkroom, I knew that it had something to do with photography–but when flowers found me, I knew that was it.” Clayton’s art has been exhibited throughout the region, including the Frame Center in Hanover, The Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, and the Cape Cod Art Center. In January 2026, her work will be featured at the Clemens Gallery at Hingham Public Library. 

To learn more about Melissa Diane Clayton’s art, or to purchase a print, visit portfolio.melissadiane.me.