MELODY SMITH PORTRAIT
When was the last time you truly felt seen?
I specialize in editorial-inspired portrait photography for women, teens, and families in Petersburg, Richmond, Chesterfield, and Central Virginia
who are emerging,
and reclaiming their presence.
Whether you're celebrating a milestone, stepping into a new chapter, or simply honoring who you are right now, you deserve portraits that capture more than your appearance.
THIS IS NOT GLAMOUR.
THIS IS NOT
FANTASY.
THIS IS
PRESENCE.
Each portrait session in our
Historic Old Town Petersburg, Virginia studio is fully guided, styled & art-directed around you specifically. Your personality.
Your presence.
Your story.
You do not need to be ready.
You just need to show up.
Fully guided & art directed photoshoots in Petersburg, Virginia
"What you see
is only
half the story"
internationally recognized
portrait photography
in Richmond & Central Virginia
Triple Master Photographer
100+ International Awards
| Gold & Platinum Photographer of the Year |
These are portraits that feel like legacy of who you were, who you are,
and who you're becoming.
The Studio
Located in Historic Old Town Petersburg, Virginia
serving Richmond, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, and Central Virginia
Melody Smith Portrait is a portrait photography studio where children ages 10 and up, teens, men, and women come to celebrate a milestone, mark a threshold, update their professional headshots and business portraits, or simply reconnect to themselves.
"You don't find yourself,
you create yourself."
-George Bernard Shaw-
What's Included in Every Session
CREATIVE FEE
$489
- what's included in your portrait session -
✓ Online Design Consultation
✓ Professional Hair & Makeup Styling
✓ Multiple Wardrobe Variations
✓ Use of my Studio Wardrobe
✓ Use of my Studio Accessories
✓ Fully Directed Portrait Session
✓ Live Styling During Your session
✓ Multiple Backdrops & Lighting Sets
✓ Private, Petersburg Portrait Studio
✓ Full Retouching Included
✓ Reveal & Ordering Session
(Photographs are not included in the creative fee and are purchased separately during your Zoom Reveal & Ordering Appointment)
Book Your Complimentary Consultation
The Consultation
It all begins with a personal consultation, a casual online conversation where we walk through the full portrait experience,
discuss pricing, and talk about how you want to feel in your portraits.
Whether you arrive with a clear vision or just a feeling you cannot quite name yet, this is where your session story starts.
Thoughtful Collaboration
form - character - mood - personality - connection
You will complete a personalized style survey and we will exchange inspiration images to shape the tone, mood and styling of your session. Together we explore wardrobe from your own closet and my Petersburg Studio Collection to build multiple looks that feel like you,
not like a costume.
WHAT IS THOUGHTFUL COLLABORATION? This session is about building a collection of images that speak to your character and personality. This isn't achieved by just random selection or a boxed protocol. This is a conversation between Photographer and Subject. So what does this COLLABORATION involve? Over the course of planning for your session, you will be invited to complete a style survey that will serve as a starting point for further conversations that will take place over messenger. You will be asked to submit a number of photos: some of yourself, some for inspiration, and some of items that you already own or may consider purchasing. I am not psychic, but with a bit of excitement, time investment, and openness to the discovery process, I am beyond certain that these portraits will embody everything you would ever want in a portrait of yourself or someone you love. COLLABORATION INCLUDES: Completing All Forms and Surveys entirely, with thought, in a timely manner. Collecting and Submitting Images for Inspiration Creating a blank canvas photo of yourself* Engaging in conversations on messenger
"The privilege of a lifetime
is to become who you truly are"
-Carl Jung-
Preparing for your day
Before your session at our
Historic Petersburg, Virginia Portrait Studio, you will receive personalized guidance covering everything from skin and nail prep, to what to bring,
and how to arrive.
Think of your session day as a full reset, a day set aside entirely for you.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR MY SESSION? These tips provide the best chance to both LOOK and FEEL your absolute best during our time together. What all is involved with the session prep? I have a few requirements for all sessions: 1. No spray tans, self tanners, and you must not have tan lines. 2. Nails completely free of any polish, gel, acrylic, or extensions. 3. You must bring the proper underpinnings to your session. In addition to my Secrets to Session Prep Guide, I will also provide you with a personally curated shopping list with links so that you can not only see the kinds of garments that are appropriate for a professional photoshoot, but also offers a convenient way to purchase items you may not have. I will also ask you to go through your wardrobe and take photos of you wearing multiple items from your own closet. These looks can be either refined and updated with items you purchase, or if available, borrowed from the Studio Wardrobe for your session. It is important to note, timely completion of all forms is REQUIRED for ANY session to take place in my studio. All REQUIRED TASKS are given specific deadlines to ensure we are not rushing last minute.
Styling your Photoshoot
Wardrobe & Styling
Every portrait session at
Melody Smith Portrait is built around what is already in your closet, that fit you, reflect you, and tell your story.
We work through your wardrobe together before your session to select and refine your looks.
My in-studio collection of blazers,
coats, bodysuits, bustiers, trousers,
and gowns is available to
layer in where needed, but the most powerful images almost always come from what you already own.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT TO WEAR FOR MY SESSION? Before your session we do a virtual wardrobe fitting. You will try on pieces from your own closet, photograph yourself in each look and send them to me. From there I help you refine and polish each look — suggesting adjustments, additions or replacement pieces where needed so every outfit is session-ready before you ever walk through the door. My in-studio wardrobe is available to supplement your looks where something is missing — but the goal is always to build from what is already yours.
What do real clients say about
Melody Smith Portrait?
"Her studio is one of the few places where I feel completely free to be the strongest, rawest, most honest version of myself. I realized the woman I was admiring was already me."
— Jenn, Master Photographer,
Milwaukee, WI
"Melody kept pointing out things she saw in me and slowly I started seeing them too. When I saw my portraits I was speechless. It genuinely changed the way I see myself." — Phoebe, VCU Graduate,
Richmond, VA
"I stopped worrying about how I looked and started trusting myself. These images feel like a piece of my story captured with elegance and honesty. If you are nervous — trust the process. What is left is something truly empowering."
— Casey,
Midlothian VA
Portrait Photography Services in Petersburg, Richmond, and Central Virginia
This is for the woman who is ready to be seen on her own terms. Whether you are marking a milestone, stepping into a new chapter, or simply deciding that now is the time, these sessions are built entirely around you. Every look, every moment, every image.
Classy, editorial, and completely private. Boudoir sessions at Melody Smith Portrait in Petersburg are not about fantasy. They are about you, exactly as you are, photographed with intention and artistry.
High School Senior portraits that actually look like your student, not a template. Fully guided, styled, and art directed around their personality, their presence, and who they are right now.
There is nothing ordinary about what your body is doing right now. Maternity portraits at our Petersburg studio document this season with the depth and elegance it deserves, before it passes.
For children and teens ages 10 and up who are ready to be photographed like the individuals they already are. These are not school pictures. These are portraits.
Professional, character-driven portraits for men who want images that reflect who they actually are. Whether for personal branding, headshots, or simply because the moment calls for it.
First impressions live online now. Headshots and business portraits at Melody Smith Portrait in Petersburg go beyond a clean background and a smile. These are images that communicate who you are and what you bring to the room. Serving Richmond, Chesterfield, and Central Virginia.
The Portrait Experience
THE PHOTOSHOOT
Your portrait session takes place in my Historic Old Town Petersburg, Virginia studio and begins with
PROFESSIONAL HAIR & MAKEUP.
From there, I'll direct you through a fully styled, fully guided
portrait experience featuring
MULTIPLE WARDROBE VARIATIONS, lighting styles, and backdrops.
It's as easy as showing up
and trusting the process.
Sessions Start: 10:00 am
Sessions Wrap: 3:00/4:00 pm
Two to three weeks after your portrait session, we'll meet via Zoom for your
IMAGE REVEAL & ORDERING APPOINTMENT.
You'll view 45–55 fully retouched portraits from your Petersburg studio session and choose your favorites.
Portraits are available to purchase a la carte starting at $389 per digital file or in collection sets starting at $2,250.
You'll only BUY what you LOVE.
The Reveal & Ordering Appointment
about Melody Smith
Melody Smith is an internationally acclaimed Triple Master Photographer based in Historic Old Town Petersburg, Virginia, with over 30 years of experience in fine art and portrait photography. Throughout her distinguished career, she has earned more than 100 international awards, including accolades from WPPI and the ICON Awards. She has been honored as both Gold and Platinum Photographer of the Year by Professional Photographers of America in their annual Imaging Competition, making her one of the most decorated portrait photographers serving Richmond, Chesterfield, and Central Virginia.
Black and white maternity portrait taken at Melody Smith Portrait in Petersburg VA
Black and white calvin klien inspired 90's denim centric fashion portrait of a woman in her 40's
fashion forward editorial portrait of teen girl wearing glasses an oversized blazer and jeans
editorial studio portrait of a woman wearing a free people skirt hermes shoes photographed in Petersburg VA at Melody Smith Portrait Studio
editorial style black and white portrait of a teen girl wearing denim sitting on a stool photographed at Melody Smith Portrait in Richmond VA
editorial moody black and white portrait of a girl in movement with the wind blowing barefoot in a dress photographed at Melody Smith Portrait in Richmond VA
woman in her 50's with curly hair sitting on a stool photographed at Melody Smith Portrait Studio in Petersburg VA
woman in her 60's with face cancer photographed naturally at Melody Smith Portrait Studio in Richmond VA
black and white portrait of a pregnant woman wearing a white button up shirt with the wind blowing in her hair photographed at Melody Smith Portrait Studio in Chesterfield VA