It’s a scary time to be a human. As we face the uncertain future of how great the effects of COVID-19 will be on our lives, the planet, and every aspect of it. We all feel helpless, overwhelmed, and scared. We are all affected by this pandemic… literally every single person.
My 2020 favorite quotes come from Frozen 2. Right after they had to leave the town, Olaf says, “We’re calling this ‘controlling what you can when things feel out of control.” Later on, when Anna is alone in the cave, she sings ‘The Next Right Thing’– ”
“So I’ll walk through this night
Stumbling blindly toward the light
And do the next right thing “
So, what can you control? What is the next right thing? What can you do?
Of course, there’s the standard practices recommend by the WHO and the CDC like washing your hands thoroughly/often AND practicing social distancing.
A fantastic local blogger, Holy City Sinner, recently posted a great blog full of ways to help. From donations, virtual tip jars, volunteering, to petitions, there is something for every one to help.
You could also try starting/joining your neighborhood pod.
- Get to know and share contact info with your neighbors from the recommended distance, of course.
- Create a Facebook Group or something similar to stay in communication.
- Share needs and/or supplies. The only way we get through this is by looking out for each other.
Keep in touch with family and friends.
- Check in frequently during the week, especially with grandparents and the front line workers like health care employees, grocery and gas station employees, sanitation staff, etc.
- You can Text, Call, Video Chat, Email, etc. My personal favorite is sending images of babies, animals, or gifs.
- Support local businesses.
Remember to take care of yourself physically and mentally.
- Follow Changes Counseling Center on Facebook for some helpful tools for yourself and families.
- Try to go outside at least once a day. Take a walk, ride your bike, stretch, read a book, just breathe, etc.
- Try not to eat all those emergency cookies at one time.
- Sometimes just surviving is all you need to do.
Hang in there everyone! Sending much love, prayers, healing vibes, peace, and hope to you. Do what you can.
COVID-19
/in Events, Frontpage Article, Giving, News /by Mell BellIt’s a scary time to be a human. As we face the uncertain future of how great the effects of COVID-19 will be on our lives, the planet, and every aspect of it. We all feel helpless, overwhelmed, and scared. We are all affected by this pandemic… literally every single person.
My 2020 favorite quotes come from Frozen 2. Right after they had to leave the town, Olaf says, “We’re calling this ‘controlling what you can when things feel out of control.” Later on, when Anna is alone in the cave, she sings ‘The Next Right Thing’– ”
So, what can you control? What is the next right thing? What can you do?
Of course, there’s the standard practices recommend by the WHO and the CDC like washing your hands thoroughly/often AND practicing social distancing.
A fantastic local blogger, Holy City Sinner, recently posted a great blog full of ways to help. From donations, virtual tip jars, volunteering, to petitions, there is something for every one to help.
You could also try starting/joining your neighborhood pod.
Keep in touch with family and friends.
Remember to take care of yourself physically and mentally.
Hang in there everyone! Sending much love, prayers, healing vibes, peace, and hope to you. Do what you can.
One Image Wednesday- Off the Shoulder Sweater
/in Boudoir, Bridal Boudoir, Feminine, Images, What to Wear /by Mell BellThis One Image Wednesday — Grab that off the shoulder sweater and SHOW OFF those shoulders! OR take a sweater that is a few sizes too big for a similar look. Neutral colors like gray are great, but don’t be afraid of a pop of color. Plus, you’ll be so comfy too. Just wear it.
2020 DARE You Boudoir Experience
/in Boudoir, Bridal Boudoir, Events, Featured Event /by Mell BellAs you know, we have very few weekend appointments available throughout the year. If you need a weekend, you’ll want to jump on this ASAP for Saturday June 13th.
While continuing to celebrate our 10th year of photographing boudoir in Charleston, we have a dare for you. We…
DARE you to except your body. DARE you to celebrate it. DARE you to let go of any shame and guilt regarding your body and embrace it exactly as it is right now. We DARE you!
And if you need an excuse to go ahead and do it, you can use this session for…
Are you ready to…
Accept our DARE?
CELEBRATE YOUR BODY?
Embrace YOUR VERSION of beautiful?
Our DARE You Package is $250 and includes:
– 1 hour pampering by our expert hair and makeup artist from Sarah Pearson- Hair and Makeup Artistry
– 1 hour Private Photoshoot in the mellBella Studio
– Personal Reveal & Ordering Session
– Champagne
– An Unforgettable Experience
Albums and products are available for purchase separately. Limited space available! And our DARE You Package is ONLY available for Saturday June 13th.
Click HERE to Reserve Your Session…
We DARE you!
One Image Wednesday- THAT Dress
/in Boudoir, Feminine, One Image Wednesday, Pinup, What to Wear /by Mell BellHappy Wednesday! It’s always a struggle to figure out what to wear for your photo shoot. But what about that dress you love?!? It doesn’t have to be a ballgown, but it could be. It doesn’t have to be your wedding dress, but it COULD be. It could even be that dress you wore on your first date, your anniversary, or your birthday. OR maybe it’s just your favorite dress that you wear to the beach. Don’t think I CAN’T WEAR THAT! Bring it to your mellBella session to see that dress in a whole new way.
Boudoir Q & A Podcast
/in Boudoir, Bridal Boudoir, Feminine, mellBella Closet, Pinup, Products, Real Story /by Mell BellMell Bell and Wanda and I were recently on a Podcast. And not just any old Podcast but it was Weddings from the Pros!!! A local and amazing Podcast filled with lots of great info for wedding planning, but of course, we put on our spin on it. On the pod, we chatted with Nathan Whitworth of Angled Light Photography and Kendall Kapanzhi of Wedding Festivals.
While we did talk about boudoir photography as it relates to a wedding gift, there’s soooo much more about one core beliefs, our process, our experience, and lots of answers to common boudoir questions. Like, why do a boudoir session? And, how do you choose a boudoir photographer? So check it out and let us know what you think.
Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bridal-boudoir-the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving/id1486145197?i=1000463421261
Or Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SlXzHwuqonUl6ArBtWUwR
Let’s do this!
2020 Be Bold Boudoir Experience
/in Boudoir, Bridal Boudoir, Events /by Mell Bell2020 marks the beginning of our 10th year photographing boudoir in Charleston. Plus it’s a leap year, so what better way to celebrate than with taking some time to see yourself from a different perspective… embracing your body exactly as it is right now?
Plus, if you have a birthday, anniversary, or wedding coming, you can use that as the final push to believe in yourself enough to finally do it! It’s 2020, and it’s time to BE BOLD.
Are you ready to…
LOVE YOUR BODY?
Celebrate your femininity?
Create a gift just for yourself or maybe share it with something special?
Our Be Bold Package is $250 and includes:
– An hour pampering by our expert hair and makeup artist from Sarah Pearson- Hair and Makeup Artistry
– An hour Private photoshoot in the mellBella Studio
– Personal Reveal Session
– Champagne and sweet treats
Albums and products are available for purchase separately. Limited space available!
Ask about our specials for military, our Richard Bell Photography brides, and returning Bellas.
2020 New Year
/in Boudoir, Feminine, Images, Pinup, Real Story /by Mell BellHappy New Year from mellBella! It’s 2020. It’s a new year and with that it means there fresh excitement for change, hope, and love. For growing, dreaming and achieving, building a better world filled with justice and love, making positive connections, for surviving and getting through, gratitude, and as always kindess.
We don’t know what all this new year holds. Some people say 2020 is the year of clear vision…haha. But we have some ideas and dreams that we look forward to bringing to you this year.
Our motto for this year is timeless advice:
Thank you for your trust, your support, and just being yourself. To 2020!
Naughty and Nice Christmas Boudoir Minis 2019
/in Boudoir, Events, Frontpage Article, News /by Mell BellMake this holiday a little extra Naughty AND Nice with a Christmas Boudoir Mini Session by mellBella Photography. It’s perfect for ladies who have never done a boudoir session and want to see what it’s all about. And, for all our Bellas who have done already done a session or two, it’s a great way to get some updated photos and a little extra surprise this Christmas.
Plus, we will be offering a some special albums and products that are ONLY available at the event. You’ll get to come to our studio, enjoy some sips and sweets, rock your 20 minute mini session, hang out for a little bit enjoying the view from our riverside studio, and FINALLY, see and order your photos THE SAME DAY! Here’s the special deal for this boudoir mini event:
Our Stocking Stuffer Package is $200 ($216 with tax) and includes:
Select products will be available to purchase in time for Christmas. After your shoot, you’ll get to see and order your products before you leave. Orders must be placed that night. Half the session fee is required in order to secure your time slot! The remaining balance is due by December 4th. So, what are you waiting for?
Don’t Miss Out
/in Boudoir, Bridal Boudoir, Frontpage Article /by Mell BellNEWS FLASH… We have some big changes coming to mellBella Photography. We are focused on creating the best experience and service (new sets, more outfits, etc.) for our Bellas, and the time has come to change our prices to keep up with and expand the experience you know and love from mellBella. But the new pricing won’t take effect until June 9, 2019. So, if you’ve thought about booking your first session or another session with us this year,
NOW IS THE TIME! Our current pricing will be good through June 8 for ANY 2019 Boudoir session booked by June 8th.
We’ll be announcing the new session fees and pricing in the coming weeks, but for now, you can still book a 2019 boudoir session with us on available weekdays Monday-Friday for $300 for a two hour photo shoot or $200 for a one hour. Both sessions include professional hair and makeup styling.
The session fee does not include any prints or products. You make your purchasing decisions at your photo reveal appointment 1 – 2 weeks after your shoot. Our albums and the investment starts at $500. That is a for a 5×5 petite book with 10 pages and it goes up from there.
Are you ready to…
LOVE YOUR BODY?
Celebrate your femininity?
Create a gift just for yourself or maybe share it with something special?
Deadline for this special has passed.
Ask about our specials for military, first responder, our Richard Bell Photography brides, and returning Bellas.
mellBella’s Top 25 Lingerie Picks on Amazon Under $25
/in Boudoir, Bridal Boudoir, Feminine, What to Wear /by Mell BellThe age old question… What To Wear? We at mellBella are going to bring you a series of some of our favorite picks at varying price points. Sometimes you want fine lingerie, something unique, or sometimes you just need the easiest thing available. Keep in mind some items are way more comfortable to wear, and this post is just a place to get started. The most important thing is to be yourself or find something in that color you love. Each image is even linked to the Amazon Page, just for you. Keep in mind prices on Amazon may change frequently, and the images are from the companies that made these products. Without further ado, here are our Top 25 Picks Under $25 on Amazon.