Blog – Page 28 – Charleston's Premier Boudoir Photographer

Coming Up in Guardians of the Sexy Tour

Come check out our studio, our photographers, our products, and……

enter for a chance to win a FREE mellBella Boudoir or PinUp Session!!!

Come see why Mell Bell and Wanda, the Guardians of the Sexy, are taking Boudoir Photography in Charleston to the next level. Check out our PinUp and Feminine sides too. You won’t be disappointed.

Wanda’s Boudoir Journey

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to get personal with this post and really share more about me.

We all have our own stories and journeys. And it really seems like your journey that leads you to doing a boudoir shoot is shaped very much by your past, as much as it is about your present life. Okay, so here goes.

My self esteem, for most of my life, was low, really low. I was molested at a young age, which caused me to have feelings of shame and guilt about my own body. As a child, I grew up in a very poor, verbally abusive home. I got picked on school for not having nice clothes and since we moved A LOT, I was always the new kid. As a teenager, I was thin and besides a major overbite (which I was always self conscious about), I got lots of attention for boys. My home life hadn’t improved, so I got into lots of bad things and made many, many bad choices. I did, however, choose a good boyfriend, Roy. My life changed forever when I got pregnant during my Junior year of high school. I gained 50 lbs, got stretch marks and all the other issues that comes with pregnancy. Roy and I got married at 17 years old.

My daughter was born four months before I turned 18. I have never regretted having my daughter, however, I have always felt like I missed out on growing into my adult body. I never got to be the “perfect” bodied 20 something year old that I could have been, had I not gone through pregnancy so young. Having stretch marks and a little poochy tummy at 18 didn’t help me feel any better about my body image.

Every four years for 12 years, I had a baby. Yes, at one point, I had a 12 year old, 8 year old, 4 year old and a newborn… all girls. After all of that, I had my first shoot. Mell Bell photographed me. And I photographed her (she was 4 months pregnant with her daughter).

And… I loved it! I loved the photos of me. I loved the feeling of being photographed for my husband. Doing a shoot for my husband was like giving him another piece of me, a special piece that was just for him. It was something I chose and I could make it whatever I wanted it to be. I fell in love with boudoir photography. (Now I am gonna cry!) I fell in love for what it did for me and for what it does for the women we photograph. That’s why I am passionate about boudoir photography.

You got this!

Wanda

Quotes of the Day from Bellissima Boudoir 2015

Our first boudoir marathon event of 2015 was fabulous! The ladies, the music, the food, the mimosas, the photography, and the conversations that filled our Charleston studio were unforgettable.

Here’s just a few of the quotes from the boudoir adventures in January….

My husband will be “happy” for a year!

We would hug you, but you’re naked… and that’s awkward.

This is one of the best things that I have done for myself

and that surprised me.

I was afraid that I wasn’t going to be able to look at the photos,

but I LOVE them!

Thank goodness for the mimosa.

This could definitely be addicting!

No regrets! Lots of laughter. I’m so glad I did this.

Thank you Bella Beauties for your trust in us. YOU are beautiful at every age

and every stage of life.

Believe it!

Mell Bell and Wanda

Keep It Classy March 7th

Our next big, beautiful, boudoir event is coming soon! Saturday, March 7th in our 2,000 square foot Charleston studio.

Let our expert Boudoir photographers Mell Bell and Wanda help you create a gift that only you can give your fiance/husband for your spring wedding, to celebrate reaching your goals or birthday, or just because you NEED to feel beautiful.

Our Bombshell Beauty Package is $200 ($216 with tax) and includes:

– An hour pampering by our expert hair and makeup artist from PaperDolls
– An hour Private photoshoot in the mellBella Studio
– Private consultation & viewing session
– Champagne, little bites and sweet treats

Ask about our specials for military, our Richard Bell Photography brides, and return Bella Beauties. Limited space available!

Contact us at info@mellbella.com for more info and to reserve your session.

What’s Her Name?!? Contest

We need your help to name the newest member of the mellBella Boudoir & PinUp Photography team! She lives in our Charleston studio, and she only wears what’s in our ever growing mellBella closet.

She’s sexy, sassy, but ALWAYS classy. What’s her name?!? She’s a lady, a vixen, a super model, and an all around girl next door.

Rules!
#1- 21 years old or older only
#2- Share, Tweet, Pin, Google+ or Instagram any of the photos with the hashtag #mellbellawhn and your name suggestion
#3- One name per Share, but you can enter as many times as you want.
#4- Contest ends Saturday, Feb 14th.

Winner gets an awesome prize! Think shopping gift card!!! We’ll be adding new photos every few days 🙂

What Boudoir Look Is Best for You?

Lot of times ladies considering a boudoir shoot are concerned about what to wear and what type of look they want. Never fear! Wanda and Mell Bell are here to help.

The most important thing we tell all our Bella Beauties is to pick something that fits you, that physically fits you. Wearing something too big will add bulk and too small will just at rolls and bumps where there aren’t any. Equally as important as the size, is the color. If you are really pale (like us) wearing white or a light pastel color may just make you look washed out. Black looks good on everyone. Don’t be afraid of bright, bold colors. They pop! Varying shades of Coral, Magenta or Turquoise look great on every skin tone.

The Girl Next Door

If you are more of a natural girl who doesn’t normally wear much makeup, you may just want to consider something soft like The Girl Next Door look. This look is very natural with soft makeup and soft curls. It works for most women. For this look, a bra and panties, shorts and a tank top, a sweater with panties or a favorite sports team.

The Super Model

Thinking of something a little more sexy? Consider more of a Super Model look. This look has bolder colors on the eyes and lips, with big sexy curls. Think runway model perfection. Outfit suggestions are bra and panties or lingerie with great shoes!

The Retro

What about a Retro look? Something a little more 50’s. Ladies in the 50’s loved lipstick! Colors ranged from pink to orange red and purple red mixes. Eyeliner and mascara to open up the eyes. For more Retro ideas, check out our Pinterest Page… http://www.pinterest.com/boudoirandpinup/ With this look, you can wear bra and panties with a tight button up cardigan, vintage lingerie or for a saucy look consider a really cute apron!

The Vixen

Thinking something really, really spicy? The Vixen look. Go dramatic hair and makeup with big hair. The sexier lingerie the better, a corset, something really strappy. And KILLER shoes (don’t worry we have some that fit most sizes).

Whatever look you are going for… make sure it is something you are gonna feel good about it. If you don’t feel good about it, it will show in your photos. Don’t try to hard to be something you are not. It’s about being the best version of YOU!