Meet Ali Seeya of Seeyattle Photography in McDonough

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Seeya.

Ali, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My life changed the day my parents bought me my first Nikon camera. I was 14 years old, and during that time I knew little about photography so I would normally take self-portraits. I was born and raised in a small city in Georgia called Mcdonough. Most of my friends and their friends around town knew me as the “curly-haired girl who takes cool pictures.” When I was 13, I went to Seattle to visit family I had met for the very first time, and I ended up visiting them again when I turned 16.

Because I had already been there, I was still connected with the city and my family. Therefore, Seattle holds a very special place in my heart. Everyone back home in Mcdonough knew me as “Ali Seeya,” which is sort of a stage name I came up with while I was there in Seattle. It is actually the pronunciation for my first real name. Fast forwarding about three years later, and that’s how I coined the name “Seeyattle Photography” for my photography business.

When I was in high school, I also developed a strong interest in film. Given that I aspire to be a movie director and screenwriter, I directed my first short film when I was 19. I ended up working with a local MUA who so happened to work for a modeling agency in Atlanta. A few months had passed, and there was a post she made on FB that the agency was looking for a photography assistant for a weekend shoot.

I contacted her so that I could apply for the gig, and ended up getting an email back from the agency with the call time of the shoot. During that weekend, I worked alongside fashion photographer Udo Spreitzenbarth. Simply being there one-on-one with him, and getting advice/tips gave me a much broader perspective on photography.

I also had the opportunity of interacting with the models we shot that weekend, and that helped tremendously. Since then, my interest in fashion photography sparked.

In 2018, I took my photography much more seriously and began shooting non-stop. My work is influenced by my favorite photographers: Lou Escobar, Paige Margulies, @Tomdewh, and Jessica Kobeissi. I am drawn to vintage fashion, and I try to incorporate that within my work.

Now, I am a member of “The Hub,” which is a community of creators. (photographers, models, stylists,etc) We are able to communicate, network, and collaborate with one another. Being part of this community has helped me in ways I didn’t think was possible. Because of The Hub, I was lucky enough to find stylists and models to collaborate with when I visited Los Angeles this spring. Doing so has led me to being published in two magazines. (Picton Magazine and New Face Fashion Magazine)

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As much as I would like to say that things have been “peachy and cream,” that isn’t the case. Honestly, I lost a lot along the way. Whether it was family, friends, relationships. It was tough for a while, and it still is sometimes. I would say that a year ago I didn’t picture myself being where I am today. But I guess that’s what I tell myself to keep going – things won’t be the same in a year, so you have to keep moving forward.

Please tell us about Seeyattle Photography – what should we know?
Seeyattle Photography was launched back in 2017. As a business, we specialize in portraits and headshots. We offer sessions for the following: family, children, maternity, product, and food. We also offer couple/engagement portrait sessions, and we shoot weddings, parties, and events.

As a company, we work diligently to ensure that every client leaves their photo session happy. We do not see our clients as just “dollar signs.” Our clients are our family, and it is our priority to guarantee quality service no matter the type of session. What sets us apart from others is that there is only one Seeyattle Photography. You can’t find another one on this planet.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Given the career that I am pursuing, there is one motto that I live by: “It’s all about how you treat people.”
Just having that humble personality is imperative when you’re surrounded by people every day, creating content, and directing others. When you’re collaborating or working among other individuals, it is mandatory to always respect one another. This is for any and every industry.

I couldn’t even begin to count the numerous amounts of times where I stepped into an environment and dreaded to work simply because there was one person or two people that made me feel very low or disrespected. I never want anyone to feel that way when they work with me. That is why I go beyond my own self to make others feel comfortable, and to have them wanting to come back and work with me. Treating people the way you’d like to be treated is the most important quality for anyone in any field of work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.seeyattle.com/
• Email: seeyattlephoto@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/seeyattle
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/seeyattle

Image Credit:
1st photo- Model: Katie Belle (@officialkatiebelle)
2nd photo- Model: Monti Montanez (@montimontanez)
3rd photo- Model: Ten (@tenmusicpage)
4th photo- Model/Wardrobe Stylist: Aaron Tichenor (@boyabaddie)
5th photo- Model/Wardrobe Stylist/Hair and MUA: Marie Alexandra (@marieinatree)
6th photo- Model: TiJahnni Newton (@tijahnni) Wardrobe Stylist/Photo Assistant: Ambre Reed (@kissambre)
7th photo- Model/Wardrobe Stylist: Dyve Dunnings (@houseofdyve)
8th photo- Model: Naddya Alicea (@naddya_michelle) Wardrobe Stylist: Ali Seeya (@seeyattle)

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.