Melissa Blythe Knowles
Welcome! I'm Melissa Blythe Knowles, a photographer and artist shaped by my training with the late John Diamond, a pioneer in holistic healing and creativity, and my studies and interests in design, art history, aesthetic philosophy, arts-in-health, visual anthropology, music and education.
Henri Cartier-Bresson likened David "Chim" Seymour's camera use to how "a doctor would use a stethoscope to diagnose the state of the heart." Photography can be a kind of creative medicine for both the photographer and the subject. To be awake to the human experience through the camera and willing to bring people's lived experiences into ours is a layered and unfolding experience of attention and engagement. Reverend Ben McBride, the radical belonging activist and author, said: "People aren't seen just because they are in a particular physical space; something must happen, collectively, for people to be seen."
The camera can be this 'something' if we are intentional with its use, as it points us beautifully toward relations that are always present yet not always visible at first. I recognize a fellow teacher in my camera, as it brings awareness to my internal experience and the constant intertwining with what I come to know and see through the lens. As the subject is more fully seen, they reveal the hidden facets of themselves within each frame.
Dr. Diamond once said: “Imagine yourself: a photographer takes an interest in you, photographs you, relates to you, and you to them. Photographs can be made with a healing intention, used to change people, so that neither the photographer nor the person being photographed is the same again.”
So much depends on how we see things, and as the Irish poet and philosopher John O’Donohue once said, "More often than not, the style of gaze determines what we see." There are many things near us that we never notice simply because of the way we see. The way we look at things has a huge influence on what becomes visible to us. If one becomes stuck in a certain narrow, predictable, or habitual way of seeing, the outside light cannot bring color into one’s life. Each of us is responsible for how we see, and how we see determines what we see.
Originally from England, I now live in Chilmark, Massachusetts, with my partner Geordie Gude, a harmonica player whose melodies and rhythms sang their way into my life, and our Australian Shepherd Scout.
WORK
Portrait Photography
As a portrait photographer, my deep passion lies in photographing families, sensitively and beautifully reflecting those fleeting moments in your lives. I offer cost-sensitive options for locals, and with a background in arts and health, I partner with non-profits to bring portraiture into the lives of families facing challenges.
During our sessions, I will gently guide you through natural and relaxed poses, creating an atmosphere that allows authentic connections to flourish. I sincerely hope you leave our session feeling more connected to those you hold dear and to provide lasting memories that deepen your connection long after our time together.
If you are a non-profit or a family interested in a session, please get in touch with me directly.
Visual Storytelling
"Storytellers are the custodians of human history, the recorders of the human experience, the voice of the human soul."
As a visual storyteller, I keep my eyes open to, not to simply record or replicate an event exactly, but to find the core of the experience and give form to those moments of the human experience.
I've collaborated on cause-driven efforts such as ending child labor, ensuring food equity and housing security, and championing conservation, creativity, and education.
Nature Photography
To me, nature is the first art and has inspired and guided humans from the beginning. During my time as curator at the Aquinnah Cultural Center, I had the profound honor of bringing Robin Kimmerer—an Indigenous writer and scientist deeply committed to restoring ecological communities and rekindling our connection to the land—to the island. In a copy of her book Braiding Sweetgrass, she inscribed a message that invited me into a new relationship with the world: “May plants be your teacher.” As an educator and someone who tries to look closely at the world, the most humbling truth is that we are always learning and re-learning. Photography helps me remember these lessons, and over time, I began to realize that nature has an endless amount to teach us if we pay attention.
Photo Walks
Children's well-being and the health of wild places are closely linked. Regular outdoor activities are vital for healthy child development, yet many young people are increasingly disconnected from nature.
I lead groups of schoolchildren into local outdoor spaces through the medium of photography. As Rachel Carson, the writer, scientist, and ecologist, wisely noted, the act of discovering and creating beauty can transform our relationship with a place. Employing photography—as described by John Diamond, M.D., as the "art of relationship"—enables schoolchildren to deepen and express their outdoor experiences creatively. If you or your school would like to learn more about this initiative, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Education
With my fifteen years of teaching experience, I've seen firsthand that photography can be a kind of creative medicine—a powerful tool for understanding and appreciating everyday life. Inspired by the teachings of my mentor, John Diamond, M.D., a pioneer in holistic health and creativity, I adopt a social and therapeutic lens that encourages an interdisciplinary approach to learning the photographic arts, blending artistic practice, therapeutic techniques, and insights from the humanities. I tailor instruction to meet the specific needs and interests of each individual and group I work with, inviting students to explore their potential and pay closer attention to the world around them through a camera lens and, consequently, to themselves.
Curator
With the keen eye of a 'visual detective' and a love for photography, history, and organization, I am passionate in working with public and private collections to elevate their visual heritage. I began my journey in Australia, where I had the privilege of assisting curators at the National Museum of Australia. During this time, I trained in collections management, digitizing orginal art and photography, post-prodcution, archival picture framing, and fine art printing, hoping to offer clients a one stop service. After returning to the USA, I worked for John Diamond, M.D., as his assistant and artistic director curating and printing an extensive collection of over 10,000 paintings, 1,000,000 digital photographs, and 60,000 slides.
On Martha's Vineyard, I collaborate with and develop both public and private collections, including indigenous artifacts, children's rights photography, family albums, and artists' work, as well as ongoing personal projects around documenting the subtle beauty of this island I call home.
First Aid Fine Art
During my partner’s recovery, we found more than ever solace in nature. To help us through our stress, I started bringing nature photographs to hospital appointments. These reminders of beauty not only helped me but also allowed me to support my partner better.
When I shared these photos with our care team, their heartwarming responses included nurses researching the plants I captured, creating memorable moments for everyone involved in his care.
Each fine art photo, made of rag or washi paper, has a blank reverse side for personal messages to loved ones or caregivers. If you or someone you know would like to bring a touch of nature to everyday moments, please reach out!
Creative House Calls
Creative House Calls are a personalized creative service that allows individuals to enjoy a variety of artistic activities in the comfort of their own home. Tailored for residents of nursing homes and independent living communities, I hope to provide easy access to creative experiences and alleviate feelings of social isolation.
Exhibits
Photography is the kind of creative medicine that I am passionate about bringing into community, educational, and healthcare settings through exhibits. Whether online or in person, each carefully curated piece, from those that encourage meditation and contemplation to those that deliver messages of fairness, human connection, and healing, is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and imagination.
Mobile Museum
Coming Soon!
LUMIONOUS Handmade Photo Books & One Picture Books
Coming Soon!
