MELODY SMITH PORTRAIT
Your Portrait Session Experience — From Consultation to Reveal
Every session at Melody Smith Portrait is fully guided, art-directed and designed around you specifically. There is nothing to figure out on your own. From the moment you inquire through the day you receive your finished portraits, every step of this experience has been thoughtfully designed to feel effortless, personal and unlike anything you have experienced before.
Step One — The Consultation
Your consultation is a relaxed online conversation where we talk through everything — the full session experience,
pricing, your vision and how you want to feel in your portraits.
Whether you arrive with a clear concept or just a feeling you cannot quite articulate yet, this is where we begin building your session around you.
Your consultation is complimentary and there is no obligation to book.
It is simply a conversation.
Consultations are currently conducted via text through
Facebook or Instagram Messenger.
Links to connect are below.
Step Two — The Design Process
Once you decide to move forward the real creative work begins.
This is what I call
— Thoughtful Collaboration —
and it is one of the things that makes a session here genuinely different from a typical portrait experience.
YOUR PERSONALIZED STYLE SURVEY
You will complete a detailed style survey that helps me understand your personality, your current style, your aesthetic preferences and how you want to feel and be seen in your images.
— This is not a generic questionnaire —
it is the foundation of your entire session design.
Inspiration & Mood Building
We will exchange inspiration images to establish the tone, mood and visual direction of your session. Think of it as building a creative brief together. You bring what resonates with you — I translate it into a portrait experience that feels authentic rather than imitated.
Wardrobe Planning
One of the most important elements of your session is
what you wear.
Together we will review your existing wardrobe
and identify pieces that photograph beautifully.
You will also have full access to my in-studio wardrobe collection which includes blazers, coats, bodysuits, bustiers, relaxed trousers and a curated selection of formal gowns.
We will build multiple looks using a combination of your own pieces and studio wardrobe so your session tells a layered, complete story.
Step Three — Preparing for Your Session
Before your session you will receive my Studio Session Prep Guide
— Secrets to the Perfect Photoshoot—
This covers everything you need to know to arrive f
eeling completely prepared, including:
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Skin and nail preparation
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What to bring to your session
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What to expect on arrival
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How to mentally prepare for being in front of the camera
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Final wardrobe checklist
— Think of your session day as a reset —
a full day set aside entirely for you.
Knowing exactly what to expect makes the entire experience feel effortless from the moment you walk through the door.
Step Four — Your Session Day
Professional Hair & Makeup
Every session begins with professional hair & makeup included in your creative fee.
You do not need to arrive camera ready — that is handled for you.
Hair and makeup is designed to complement your wardrobe, your skin tone and the mood of your session rather than create a look that feels overdone or unlike you.
The Photoshoot
From the moment hair and makeup is complete I take over entirely. Every movement, pose, expression and detail is shaped and directed by me throughout your session. You will never be left wondering what to do with your hands or how to stand. Sessions run from approximately 10am to 3 or 4pm and include multiple wardrobe changes, multiple lighting setups and multiple backdrop options.
This is a fully guided experience.
Your only job is to show up and trust the process.
Live Styling
Throughout your session I provide live styling — adjusting wardrobe, accessories and details in real time to make sure every frame is intentional. Nothing is left to chance.
Step Five — The Reveal & Ordering Appointment
Two to three weeks after your session we meet via Zoom for your
Image Reveal and Ordering Appointment.
This is one of the most exciting parts of the entire experience.
You will view 45 to 55 fully retouched portrait images
— your complete session in finished form.
From there you choose your favorites and place your order.
Images are available to purchase in two ways:
-
À la carte — individual digital files starting at $389 per image
-
Collections — curated sets of images starting at $2,250
You will only ever purchase what you love. There is no pressure and no packages you are required to buy. The reveal appointment is designed to be a celebration of the work we created together.
Investment
Creative Fee $489
— due at booking to reserve your session date —
Your creative fee includes everything required to create your portraits:
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Online design consultation
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Professional hair and makeup
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Multiple wardrobe variations
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Full access to studio wardrobe and accessories
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Completely guided photoshoot
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Live styling throughout your session
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Multiple backdrops and lighting setups
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Private studio experience
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Full retouching on all images presented at your reveal
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Zoom reveal and ordering appointment
Photographs are purchased separately at your reveal and ordering appointment.
Investment
-
Individual digital files from $389
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Portrait collections from $2,250
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Wall art, albums and print products available
Payment plans are available.
Ask about financing options during your consultation.
Photographs
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the session take? Sessions run approximately five to six hours from start to finish including hair and makeup. Plan your day around a 10am start and expect to wrap between 3 and 4pm.
Do I need to know how to pose? Not at all. Every movement and expression is directed by me throughout your session. Most clients have never had a professional portrait session before — the guidance is built into the experience from start to finish.
What if I am nervous about being photographed? This is one of the most common feelings clients bring through the door and one of the most common things they leave without. The session is designed specifically for people who do not feel comfortable in front of a camera. By the time hair and makeup is complete and we have spent time together you will feel completely different about the experience ahead.
Can I bring someone with me? You are welcome to bring one support person to your session. Please note that additional guests can sometimes affect the energy and focus of the session so we ask that you limit your guest to one person.
When will I see my images? Your reveal appointment is scheduled two to three weeks after your session date. You will not see any images before your reveal — this is intentional and part of what makes the reveal experience so powerful.
Where is the studio located? Melody Smith Portrait is located at 3 N. Sycamore Street, Petersburg, Virginia. We serve clients from Richmond, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Hopewell and across Central Virginia.
— This experience was designed for individuals who are ready to be seen —
not hidden, not styled into someone else's idea of beautiful, but seen clearly and honestly as exactly who they are. If that is you, I would love to meet you.