Hi, I’m Mel a portrait photographer. I help you to reclaim yourself and embrace ALL of who you are with black & white “NO Makeup” Empowerment portraits so you can awaken your strength and beauty within.
If you already know who you are and want to celebrate you right now, this is for you too. This investment in your mental well being and personal growth, is one thing we often don’t make the time for in our busy lives. I believe our journey in life to grow to our full potential is ongoing. My work is inspired by my own journey.
My Journey
A few years ago, I struggled with being proud of who I was and found there were a lot of people out there who felt the same way. So I started the “Empowering Photography Project” as I believed everyone including myself needed to be more proud of who we are as we are and not let society dictate who or what we should be or look like.
Media portrays a lot of false representations about how we should be and I felt we needed to move away from this idea of ‘perfectionism’.
“It should be the responsibility of photographers today to free women and finally everyone from the terror of youth and perfectionism” – Peter Lindbergh.
When we are proud of who we are, we find peace within and it is this inner peace that awakens our inner strength and confidence.
With that confidence you can conquer anything you want to.
So how was I going to help people be proud and at peace with who they are through photography?
I wanted the photographs to be real and raw and the only way to do this was with no makeup.
“No makeup?!”
You are not alone if that scares you but trust me, I haven’t had one person regret doing this for themselves. We experience fear all the time but if you don’t embrace it you don’t get to try new experiences and grow as a person. Remember I am on this journey with you.
During the NO makeup photo shoot you will connect to your essence and feel who you are… the beautiful thing is you are embodying this with no masks…. your strength, joy, confidence. You will feel beautiful because you said this is me, not because you had your hair and makeup done.
I chose black and white photography because it takes you straight to your soul where your beauty truly exists.
That is what I want to photograph for you: your inner beauty – the most authentic part of you. When you see this in your photographs it will change how you see yourself.
At the completion of my project, I realised I found a new purpose in my career and in my life too.
I had fallen in love with being able to capture a person’s authentic self.
I am calling it “Empowerment Portrait Experience”.
Empowerment Portrait Experience
I invite you on this journey of self-discovery and self-worth and come have an ‘Empowerment Portrait Experience’ with me. I would love to meet and connect with you. Book Now.
“To be authentic, we must cultivate the courage to be imperfect — and vulnerable. We have to believe that we are fundamentally worthy of love and acceptance, just as we are. I’ve learned that there is no better way to invite more grace, gratitude and joy into our lives than by mindfully practicing authenticity.” – Brené Brown
What Clients Say
“Mel Watt doesn’t just take photos; she captures souls. In a world of filters, forced smiles, and layers of makeup, Mel’s black and white imagery strips away the superficial to reveal the raw, unvarnished truth of who we are.
Embracing my everyday, makeup-free self – the way I show up in the world 99% of the time – Mel’s lens seemed to peer straight into my core. During our shoot, I felt truly seen.
What struck me most was the emotional depth Mel captured. In these images, I see my own radiance shining through, unbridled joy dancing in my eyes, and a profound sense of peace and contentment etched in the lines of my face. Mel’s camera photograph feelings.
With a mix of professionalism and playful banter, Mel coaxed out aspects of myself that often I don’t show readily to others The result? A collection of images that are equal parts art and mirror, reflecting my inner landscape in stunning monochrome, celebrating the beauty of authenticity and raw emotion.
If you’re looking for run-of-the-mill glamour shots, look elsewhere. But if you’re ready to meet yourself – the real, bare-faced, emotionally vibrant you, in all your imperfect, beautiful glory – then Mel Watt is your go-to maestro of the camera. Just be prepared: you might fall in love – a bit more – with the woman you discover through her lens. I know I did.” – Chantal.
Mel is an award winning and Master of Photographer.
Mel completed her Diploma of Photography in 2009 and her photography business was originally based on photographing kids and families but has since found a new purpose in helping women celebrate who they are and finding their self worth. Mel originally studied nursing and completed my Bachelor of Nursing in 1993 which she finds helps her today with connecting and building relationships with her clients.
Credentials
Diploma of Photography 2009
Bachelor of Nursing 1993
