Conversations with the Inspiring Mecca Gamble McConnell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mecca Gamble McConnell.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Mecca. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After graduating from college, I had trouble getting a job. So I picked up the camera that I had used for my blog and during photojournalism class and started a legal photography business. I began shooting weddings in late 2012 and built my career as a wedding photographer. Within the last year, I’ve done some pivoting and now focus on shooting the lifestyles of women of color, special events and educating other photographers.

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?
I always advise other photographers to remain a student to the craft, give yourself grace often, and enjoy the journey. When I moved to Atlanta, I didn’t know anyone, and I had to rebuild my clientele from the ground up. It took time, but I was consistent and patient and practiced delivering a service that would market itself.

Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
I specialize in creating lifestyle images for women of color that help them build their brands, tell their stories, leave their legacies and celebrate joyfully. More specifically, I work with professional women entrepreneurs and influencers to create images that are used across media and brand promotional platforms. I also shoot families and styled special events.

What I am most proud of is that I built my business from social media and word of mouth. I still continue to market myself that way. What sets me apart for others is my distinct vibrant editing style and skill for shooting women of color.

For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
Absolutely! As women, we are natural managers. Operating businesses, being visionaries, fast thinkers and creatives are skills that can translate in any industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: meccagamble.com
• Email: info@meccagamble.com
• Instagram: http://instragram.com/MeccaGamble
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/MeccaGamble

Image Credit:
The photo of me is by Inije Photography

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