Glamour Makeovers with Photographer Meredith Melody; Enter to Win a Makeover Session

Sometimes, there are many perks to being the editor of a monthly magazine. Recently, three members of Team Soiree, myself included, were treated to a styling and photography session with Meredith Melody.

Meredith is an up-and-coming portrait photographer in Little Rock who is carving out a niche for herself by offering full-service glamour sessions. Working with stylist Cassie Francioni, Meredith offers a turn-key session, complete with wardrobe, hair and makeup.

“When Jennifer told me we would be having some new professional photos and ‘glamour’ portraits made, I must admit I was a bit apprehensive,” says Managing Editor Amanda Hoelzeman. “My mind instantly wandered back to my childhood and a series of early ’90s-era glamour shots that were taken at the peak of my awkward years. I was a little round-faced girl wearing more makeup than a grown woman. I laugh—and cringe—when I look at those photos today. I am happy to report that the photography experience at Meredith Melody’s studio in Hillcrest was nothing like that long-ago glamour shoot. From start to finish, the experience was fun, and I felt pampered and relaxed throughout.”

Cassie Francioni did the makeup and hair for all three of us and pulled clothes for us from local boutiques. Cassie has more than a decade of experience doing hair and makeup for photo shoots in and around Little Rock. She’s perfected the hair and makeup for some of our most iconic covers, including the December 2009 cover, seen here.

“One of my main concerns going into the photo shoot was looking my age,” says Amanda. “On the cusp of my thirties, I feel like I’m at another awkward style point in my life. I’m not ready for sweater sets and Talbots, but I’m too old for the juniors department. The fashionable clothing and accessories Cassie pulled for me, paired with my grown-up hair and makeup was just perfect.”

Each of us spent 2 – 3 hours with Meredith and Cassie. The mood was fun and light, with great music playing and every need catered to. We all agreed that it felt like more like a pampering session than a glamour session.

“These two ladies work really well as a team,” says Tona Jolly, production manager for Little Rock Soiree and the rest of Arkansas Business Publishing Group. “Cassie is has a great eye for what style pulls a person’s personality to the surface. Meredith makes an old body work like a model’s really effortless. This experience was a kick in the pants for my confidence. They made me laugh the entire time I was there. There was not one uncomfortable moment. I was made to feel beautiful and important. Kudos for taking a wrinkled, hardworking biker chick and making her feel like a well-aged butterfly!”

Meredith’s strength is her ability to physically pose women of all ages and at all stages of life in such a way as to accentuate their best assets. I’ll be honest: the session was a bit of a work out! The poses she had me hold stretched muscles in my back, neck and shoulders I hadn’t felt in awhile, but the end result, as you can see, was amazing.

And now, Little Rock Soiree readers have the chance to have the same royal treatment. Meredith is generously giving away FIVE sessions to FIVE lucky winners. Just go here to nominate yourself, a friend or relative by tomorrow (March 15).

You can also receive extra entries by sharing this article on Faceboook. First, go be a fan of Little Rock Soiree and Meredith Melody Photography. Then share this article with your friends. We’ll track shares and each share will result in an extra entry for the person you nominate. Please remember that you must actually fill out the nomination form here before you share. Shares do not count as original contest entries.

We’ll choose the winner Friday (March 15). Winners will be notified via email. Only one entry per person, please. Good luck!

Click here to view more of Meredith’s work!