Figuring out how to prepare for your boudoir session may seem overwhelming, but I’m going to let you in on a little secret:
At mellBella Photography, boudoir prep is EASY! All you have to do is take a deep breath and check out the following tips…
Determine Your Desired Look
Do you want your shoot to be full-on sexy or sort of sweet? Do you want to go Over the-top glamorous or more natural? Do you want to go nude, partially nude, wear lingerie, a favorite t-shirt, or pjs? Your desired look for the session will help us pick the best sets/lighting. details, wardrobe, and props for your photo shoot. And it’s totally fine if you don’t know. Just pick one outfit you like, and we’ll take it from there.
Find a Specialist
Boudoir portraiture is a niche art form, so you must be very discerning when choosing a photographer. It’s crucial to do your research—browse their portfolios and read client testimonials. Since boudoir is such an intimate and vulnerable experience, it’s essential you find someone whom you trust and feel comfortable around. We’ve been boudoir photographers since 2010 and have photographed hundreds of clients, and we love giving our Bellas the best experience! But don’t just take our word for it… check out our reviews on Google and The Knot. We’re currently in the process of updating our website, but be sure to check out our Instagram and Facebook pages and stories to see what we’re up to now.
Wardrobe
Start by shopping your closet for the items you instinctively select when you want to feel (and look) your absolute best. Don’t stress over this. If you feel lost, just bring one bra/panty set, one bodysuit, and one wildcard (like something from our mellBella Closet or your birthday suit). Have fun with it! Be sure to check out our What to Wear section on our website. And if you still have questions, please contact us. We’ll help style you.
Prep Mind, Body, and Skin
Drink LOTS of water. Lower your salt intake and abstain from alcohol for a few days before your shoot to avoid water retention. Treat yourself to a mani/pedi, if you like. Bathe, shower, and moisturize. Enjoy a quiet evening and get a full night’s sleep before the day of your session. (Or at least try to!) It’s a good idea to do some stretches the day before as well.
Relax
Take a deep breath and relax. It’s completely normal to feel nervous before your shoot. We promise, it will be a fun, stress-free day that’s all about YOU. We’ll guide you through every step, and you won’t have to worry about what to do with your hands. Trust us, you’ll be coming back for more!
If you would like more information on booking a session with mellBella Photography for the best boudoir experience, CONTACT US.
How To Prepare For Your Boudoir Session
/in Boudoir, Bridal Boudoir, Feminine, Frontpage Article /by Mell BellFiguring out how to prepare for your boudoir session may seem overwhelming, but I’m going to let you in on a little secret:
At mellBella Photography, boudoir prep is EASY! All you have to do is take a deep breath and check out the following tips…
Determine Your Desired Look
Do you want your shoot to be full-on sexy or sort of sweet? Do you want to go Over the-top glamorous or more natural? Do you want to go nude, partially nude, wear lingerie, a favorite t-shirt, or pjs? Your desired look for the session will help us pick the best sets/lighting. details, wardrobe, and props for your photo shoot. And it’s totally fine if you don’t know. Just pick one outfit you like, and we’ll take it from there.
Find a Specialist
Boudoir portraiture is a niche art form, so you must be very discerning when choosing a photographer. It’s crucial to do your research—browse their portfolios and read client testimonials. Since boudoir is such an intimate and vulnerable experience, it’s essential you find someone whom you trust and feel comfortable around. We’ve been boudoir photographers since 2010 and have photographed hundreds of clients, and we love giving our Bellas the best experience! But don’t just take our word for it… check out our reviews on Google and The Knot. We’re currently in the process of updating our website, but be sure to check out our Instagram and Facebook pages and stories to see what we’re up to now.
Wardrobe
Start by shopping your closet for the items you instinctively select when you want to feel (and look) your absolute best. Don’t stress over this. If you feel lost, just bring one bra/panty set, one bodysuit, and one wildcard (like something from our mellBella Closet or your birthday suit). Have fun with it! Be sure to check out our What to Wear section on our website. And if you still have questions, please contact us. We’ll help style you.
Prep Mind, Body, and Skin
Drink LOTS of water. Lower your salt intake and abstain from alcohol for a few days before your shoot to avoid water retention. Treat yourself to a mani/pedi, if you like. Bathe, shower, and moisturize. Enjoy a quiet evening and get a full night’s sleep before the day of your session. (Or at least try to!) It’s a good idea to do some stretches the day before as well.
Relax
Take a deep breath and relax. It’s completely normal to feel nervous before your shoot. We promise, it will be a fun, stress-free day that’s all about YOU. We’ll guide you through every step, and you won’t have to worry about what to do with your hands. Trust us, you’ll be coming back for more!
If you would like more information on booking a session with mellBella Photography for the best boudoir experience, CONTACT US.
Support Small Business Contest
/in Boudoir, Events, Featured Event /by Mell BellLike many other small businesses, this time has been rough and scary … so we wanted to bring you something happy and make some lemonade out of these lemons.
So, welcome to our Support Small Business Contest! We’re teaming up with
Bits of Lace and Sipango Restaurant to bring you some awesome prizes.
Winners will be chosen on May 1st!
You can enter on Instagram or Facebook. Here’s how to enter….⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1. Post a photo on your profile that we’ve taken or you OR a selfie ⠀⠀⠀
2. Follow and tag each of us
On Instagram,
@mellbella @bitsoflacefinelingerie @sipangochs
On Facebook,
mellBella Boudoir & Pinup Photography, Bits of Lace, and Sipango Restaurant
3. Be sure to include these hashtags on your post for your entry. #supportsmallbusiness and #socialdistancingissexy⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
***Note if your profile/posts are set to private, we won’t be able to see your entry. You may post up to two times a day which will give you 2 entries per day.
You could win one of these prizes…
1. A FREE session with us, including professional hair & makeup styling
2. A $50 gift card to Bits of Lace
3. A $50 gift card to Sipango Restaurant
And because we have the BEST clients ever, we have a special prized just for our previous Bellas who could win our gorgeous new product, the Legacy Box (pictured below), with 10 matted images from your last photo shoot with us.
One Image Wednesday- Comfy Tank
/in Boudoir, Feminine, Pinup, What to Wear /by Mell BellIt’s time for another What To Wear Wednesday! So what’s good option that you can wear right now and/or for a photo shoot? Comfy tank tops, of course. (Bra optional). I’ve been living in comfy tank tops lately too. They’re convenient, inexpensive, and cool for those warm summers days. Plus, if you’re working from home and you’re not on a video conference, no one knows what you’re wearing anyways.
COVID-19
/in Events, Frontpage Article, Giving /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, 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.
One Image Wednesday- THAT Dress
/in Boudoir, Feminine, 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, Frontpage Article, 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, 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 /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?