MELODY SMITH PORTRAIT
When was the last time you truly felt seen?
I specialize in editorial-inspired portrait photography for individuals who are evolving, emerging, and
reclaiming their presence.
Whether you're celebrating a
milestone, entering a new chapter,
or simply honoring who you are, you deserve to be seen in photographs
that capture more than your appearance.
THIS IS NOT GLAMOUR.
THIS IS NOT
FANTASY.
THIS IS
PRESENCE.
Each session 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.
"What you see
is only
half the story"
internationally recognized photography
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, and the surrounding areas—
Melody Smith Portrait is where
children, teens, men and women
come to celebrate a milestone,
mark a threshold,
refine their image,
or 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 -
✓ Online Design Consultation
✓ Hair & Make Up Styling
✓ Multiple Wardrobe Variations
✓ Use of my Studio Wardrobe
✓ Use of my Studio Accessories
✓ Fully Directed Photoshoot
✓ Live styling during your session
✓ Multiple backdrops & lighting
✓ Private, gorgeous 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 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 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 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 session is built around what is already in your closet that fits 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
The Portrait Experience
THE PHOTOSHOOT
Your session takes place in my Petersburg Studio and begins with PROFESSIONAL HAIR & MAKE UP.
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: 3:00/4:00pm
Two to three weeks after your session, we’ll meet via ZOOM for your
IMAGE REVEAL & ORDERING APPOINTMENT.
You’ll view 45–55 fully retouched portraits and choose your favorites.
Images 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 with over 30 years of experience in art & photography. Throughout her distinguished career, she has earned more than 100 awards, including accolades from WPPI & the ICON Awards. She has been honored as both Gold & Platinum Photographer of the Year by Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Imaging Competition.
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