Meet the Clean Camera Repair Team
- Melonie Marie McEver
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Clean Camera is staffed by a small but mighty team: Melonie, our Cheif Snapshot Strategist, and Tim, our Skilled Gear Surgeon. We opened in Santa Rosa to serve the Gulf Coast with expert camera cleaning, maintenance, and friendly local service — and we also travel all over the U.S. for camera shows and photography conventions, so look for us on the road if you’d like an in-person consultation or on-site service.
DO YOU SHIP?
YES — and you’re in expert hands. Tim is a factory-trained camera repair technician with more than 25 years of hands-on experience, part of a family legacy that spans over 50 years in camera care. From film era fixes to digital diagnostics and the latest mirrorless marvels, our family has repaired it all — passed down from dad to uncles and now Tim and his son. We’re the trusted source for camera repair and precision sensor cleaning.
Ship your gear to our Santa Rosa Beach, FL hub and we’ll provide a free repair quote. We also hit the road every month for camera club events and photography conventions around the U.S., so you might meet us in person. Subscribe to our newsletter to find out where Clean Camera will be next — and get priority access to show offers and on-the-spot services.
About Tim — Master Technician & Gear Care Specialist at Clean Camera Repair
Tim is Clean Camera’s lead repair technician and the heart of our brand. With more than 25 years of factory-trained experience—and the continuation of a family camera-care legacy that stretches back over 50 years—Tim brings rare depth and steady hands to every job. From film-era classics to the latest mirrorless systems, he combines traditional mechanical know-how with modern diagnostic techniques to get cameras and lenses working like new.
Background and Training
Tim completed factory-level technical training and has spent decades repairing and servicing cameras for professionals and enthusiasts alike. He grew up in a family business, Peachtree Camera Repair, built around gear repair and maintenance, learning the craft at his father’s and uncles’ shoulders and now passing those skills forward. That lineage gave him early exposure to both film and early electronic systems, and he has continually updated his training to include digital sensors, autofocus systems, and precision electronic diagnostics.
Core Skills & Specialties
Sensor Cleaning: Tim uses careful, professional sensor-cleaning methods to remove dust and contaminants without risk to delicate electronics. He performs thorough inspections before and after cleaning with high-magnification inspection tools so you can trust a spotless result.
Lens Calibration & Autofocus Adjustment: Tim performs precise lens calibration, micro-adjustments, and front/back-focus corrections to restore accurate focus across your full system. He uses repeatable test procedures to confirm peak performance after adjustments.
Film & Vintage Camera Repair: Film cameras and vintage gear are a specialty. Tim handles full CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) services, shutter repairs, film-advance issues, rangefinder alignment, and fabrication or replacement of deteriorated parts like light seals and bellows.
Camera Seals & Light Seal Replacement: Aging foam and seals that allow light leaks are a common problem for older cameras. Tim replaces and fabricates seals using materials and techniques that respect the original build while restoring the camera’s light-tight integrity.
Mechanical Repairs & Precision Maintenance: From shutter timing and mirror mechanisms to aperture blades and mount repairs, Tim diagnoses mechanical and electronic issues and carefully restores functionality using industry-standard tools and thorough testing protocols.
Standards & Process at Clean Camera Repair
Tim approaches every repair with a methodical diagnostic workflow: intake and inspection, documented quote, approval, precision repair or cleaning, and a final quality check. He maintains a dedicated, dust-controlled bench for sensor work and uses calibrated tools and magnification for lens and mechanical work. Every camera that leaves the shop goes through a final performance check so you can trust the results.
Why Photographers Trust Tim
Clients choose Tim because of his rare combination of formal training, decades of hands-on experience, and genuine respect for photographic tools—new or old. He understands the needs of studio and field photographers, knowing that reliability and consistency are essential. Whether you shoot film, digital, or mirrorless, Tim treats each project with the same care he would give his own gear.
Shipping, Quotes & On-the-Road Service
Clean Camera accepts mailed-in gear from anywhere in the United States. Ship your camera or lens to our Santa Rosa Beach, FL location for a complimentary repair quote and transparent pricing. Tim also travels regularly for camera club events and photography conventions across the U.S., offering in-person consultations and on-site advice—check our newsletter to see where we’ll be next.
More About Tim
Contact & Next Steps
Ready for a quote or curious if your vintage camera can be revived? Complete the free repair estimate form, send us photos and a brief description, or ship your gear to Clean Camera in Santa Rosa Beach and we’ll run a free inspection and provide a clear estimate. Tim and the Clean Camera team are committed to returning your equipment in top working order, backed by our workmanship standards and customer-focused service.
About Melonie (aka Mel) — Director of Focus & Operations at Clean Camera Repair
Melonie is the driving force behind Clean Camera’s day-to-day operations and the brands’s public face. She combines deep photographic credentials, long-standing professional leadership, and strong office-management experience to deliver a smooth, professional experience for every client. Outgoing, organized, and quietly brilliant with systems, Melonie ensures timely communication, clear quotes, and reliable logistics—from local drop-offs in Santa Rosa Beach to nationwide shipping for repairs and sensor cleaning.
Professional Credentials & Education
Member, Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
(4) Images on the World Art Tour
Top (7) Photographers State of Michigan (2015)
Master’s Degree in Photography (M)
Craftsman Degree in Photography (Cr)
Certified Professional Photographer (State of Michigan, 2014)
Leadership & Professional Service
Melonie has a long record of service to the photographic community. She served as a PPA council member for six years and sat on the Board for the Professional Photographers of Michigan for nine years, helping shape education, standards, and advocacy for working photographers. In January 2026 she was elected to a two‑year term as President of the Wide Angle Photography Club in Pensacola—an honor that reflects her commitment to community-building and mentorship in the region.
Role at Clean Camera Repair
Customer Care & Communications: Manages client intake, status updates, and customer support, ensuring every client knows exactly what to expect.
Scheduling & Logistics: Coordinates appointments, shipping instructions, return shipping, and inventory so gear moves securely and efficiently.
Marketing & Community Outreach: Produces the newsletter, manages social channels, and organizes Clean Camera’s presence at camera clubs and conventions nationwide.
Quality Assurance: Works closely with Tim to confirm final checks and maintain the shop’s high workmanship standards.
Photography Background & Approach
Melonie’s formal photographic education and professional certifications give her both technical insight and artistic perspective. She evaluates equipment and repair needs from a photographer’s point of view—knowing which issues impact workflow and image quality most. Her experience enables her to translate technical diagnostics into clear, practical recommendations and transparent pricing.
The Secret Computer Geek
Melonie is the brand's resident tech and systems specialist. She built the repair-tracking systems, shipping workflows, and appointment platform that keep Tim working at the bench instead of wrestling paperwork. Her proficiency with databases, shipping integrations, and customer-relationship tools is the backbone of Clean Camera’s efficient operations.
Why Photographers Trust Melonie at Clean Camera Repair
Photographers appreciate Melonie’s combination of photographic expertise, organizational skill, and genuine respect for their gear. Her background in professional associations and local clubs gives her a broad view of photographers’ needs—from studio pros to educators and hobbyists. Clients rely on her clear communication, prompt follow-up, and the assurance that their equipment will be handled professionally every step of the way.
Contact & Next Steps
For camera repair quotes, shipping instructions, event details, or questions about services, contact Melonie at Clean Camera. She’ll guide you through the intake process, explain options for sensor cleaning and repairs, and make sure your experience is smooth from first contact to final delivery.
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