She Drove From West Virginia to Petersburg, VA and Learned to Live Out Loud

Stephanie has been coming to this studio for eleven or twelve years now.

She was here before she was married.

She came back for her bridal session.

She kept coming back through every version of herself that followed.

Quiet. Down to earth.

The kind of woman who knows every trail within fifty miles of her house, can fix things, loves the outdoors, and doesn't make a lot of noise about any of it.

She lives in West Virginia now.

She still makes the drive to Petersburg.

For this session, the first look I chose for her was a flannel shirt, American Eagle jeans, and a Calvin Klein set underneath. It was the most her outfit in the room specifically because it was not glamorous.

It was honest.

That's Steph.

Jeans and flannel.

Comfortable in her own skin even when she doesn't quite believe it.

Here's the thing about that

Calvin Klein set though.

During her bridal session years ago

I told her I wanted to photograph her

in a CK look someday.

I forgot I ever said it.

Age and life can do that to you...

When I brought it up for this session she looked at me and said she remembered. She had been carrying that for years.

That's what eleven years of knowing someone looks like.

When Steph saw her portraits she wrote something that stopped me:

"Through Melody's lens, I see strength in softness, resilience in vulnerability, and confidence without apology. Melody has a way of reflecting truth and helping you see yourself more clearly than you ever have before."

She also wrote this, which is the part I keep coming back to:

"Years from now, I hope I look back at these portraits and remember this version of myself with pride. I imagine my future self simply saying,

you did it."

She drove from West Virginia for that.

She'd do it again.

If you've been putting off your own session and even if you've been waiting until you feel ready or look different or have more time, Steph's story is the answer to that.

You don't need to be ready.

You just need to show up.

Sessions at Melody Smith Portrait begin at $489

and include

professional hair, makeup, and styling.

The studio is located in

Historic Old Town Petersburg, Virginia,

serving Richmond, Chesterfield, Midlothian,

and across Central Virginia.

Clients travel from Richmond,

West Virginia, and beyond.

Book Your Consultation

About Melody Smith Portrait

Melody Smith Portrait is an award-winning portrait studio in Historic Old Town Petersburg, Virginia. Sessions are available for women, men, teens, and children ages 10 and up.

Every session includes professional hair, makeup, and styling.

3 N. Sycamore Street, Petersburg, VA 23803 (804) 396-4206 melodysmithportrait.com