About Saadia Me*Chel Carnes
Welcome!
I am an Atlanta based, wedding photographer but more importantly I am an artist. I believe that there is beauty in everything and that life, itself, is beautiful in all of its uncertainty. My camera serves as a powerful tool, allowing me to express my creativity in amazing, sometimes unconventional ways. I am able to use the medium of photography to capture the magnificence and beauty of the world as well as the people in it.
I look forward to meeting you, reading your comments, and sharing my work with you. Thanks so much for stopping by to visit. I hope you come back soon and often! To book the studio email us at studio@saadiamechel.com
~Saadia Me*Chel
Photo of me © 2010 Ross Oscar Knight. All rights reserved
My friend Arielle is an AMAZING jewelry designer! So when she asked me to shoot some images for her website, I was more than happy to oblige. We had a good time at McDaniel Farm as bystanders looked on (trying to see what we were doing). Not only is Arielle’s jewelry beautiful but she makes a great model as well. Check out the images from her shoot.
~ Saadia Me’Chel
Every story has a beginning. Imari & Marcus’ started with a class together in college. After a semester of admiring Imari from afar, Marcus finally decided it was time to ask this beautiful woman out on a date.
Naturally, she said yes.. She has been admiring him as well. As time passed by they both began to realize that the other was the person they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with.
The love that was foster all those years, culminated into a proposal on Thanksgiving.. It was with a full heart that Imari said yes to the guy she had admired from that first day of class.
Imari & Marcus will be getting married on May 26 in Albany, GA.
Last year I was contacted by the Editor-in-Chief of Saddidy Magazine to do an editorial shoot to be featured in their premiere issue. The theme for the first issue was 70s inspired, so we met at Twain’s in Downtown Decatur to invoke the era that gave us bell bottoms and afros. After months of waiting the magazine has finally been released and I can know share with you some pictures from the shoot. We had an amazing team on hand. Thanks so much to Shaunda Kitches for the awesome hair & makeup, our beautiful model LaReza Blakely and to the editor Adrienne Gadling who also served as stylist for the shoot.
If you liked to see the images in the magazine, click this here and check out my work on pages 20-29
~Saadia Me*Chel
I’ve been in this business for almost two years and I’ve never been to a photography event until last night. As I walked around meeting people and later listening to Jasmine speak, I realized I should’ve done this a lot sooner. As J* pointed out last night, “we are much stronger together than we are apart.” She went on to say that influential artists thrive off each other, they make each other stronger. I can’t help but agree. The old adages of “birds of a feather flock together” and “you are the company you keep” play over and over in my mind. As I surround myself with other artists, it will only allow me the ability to become better at what I do.
I think back to the teachings the Bible provides. It is true that you reap what you sow. The more you sow into others, the more you will ultimately reap. I think so often people walk around with the mentality of “what can you do for me?” Instead, we should all be asking, “what can I do for you?” The more you help others, the more you gain. This was the whole point of The Fix. To connect, to form bonds, to help others… to grow. I feel like my territory has been stretched. I look forward to getting to know the individuals I met last night and deepening the relationships I already have.
Here’s to breaking the mold!
~Saadia Me’Chel
It’s 4:30 in the morning. I know this because I can’t help but notice the red illuminated numbers serving as the only light spot in my otherwise dark room. I lay there for a few minutes more contemplating the day. Running over a list of things I know I have to do… a mental checklist. I roll out of the bed and, like most people, I look in the mirror. UGH! I think to myself. My skin is splotchy and it looks like I may be carrying suitcases under my eyes. In addition, stress has given way to more acne. I can’t help but wonder when I will ever be rid of it. Isn’t acne suppose to go away after puberty?! Oh well, I digress. I always have my measuring stick out. Using it as a tool to compare and contrast myself with other people. Why can’t I be one of the “beautiful” people? Is a question that often comes to mind. But… I digress on that as well. I’ve spent many years being bad to my body and even worse to my skin. As I get older I begin to see how important it is to take care of yourself. This revelation has lead me on a quest to develop a healthier lifestyle. First thing on the list… finding a new skincare regimen. So although I may never make it into the elusive “beautiful people” club (whatever that is anyway) I can at least stop the breakouts before my next birthday. Right?!
~ Saadia Me’Chel
Anyway here are some awesome, (a)musing things for you to check out:
Defeat starts in the mind. Think Positively!
I jumped on the Hunger Games bandwagon. I just started reading it but I’m already deeply entrenched in the storyline and totally invested in the characters.
How to Use a Variable Neutral Density Filter for Better Portrait Photography. I haven’t actually tired this myself but it seems pretty interesting. Speaking of neutral density filters…
Can I just say how AWESOME Zach & Jody Gray are! I watched their Creative Live Workshop all weekend and I must say that it has truly inspired me to do some amazing things for my business (More on that in a few days).
For all my photog friends, this is a great marketing book to check out. I highly recommend it.
This image is sooooooo AMAZING there aren’t even any words to describe it. The earth never looked so good!
I’ve bee addicted to this game called Temple Run. Hours of enjoyment!
Why are wedding photographers so expensive?
Wowzers! Where did the time go?! Since I poured my heart out to you in this post you know exactly how I feel about you Mr. L. You’re the ying to my yang, the peanut butter to my jelly, the night to my day, simply put… I can’t exist without you. We move in perfect balance. Two halves of one whole. I love you my dear. Happy Anniversary!
Even if it was the 999th of July
Even if it was August
Even if it was way down at the bottom of November
Even if it was no place particular in January
I would go on choosing you
And you would go on choosing me
Over and over again
January seems to be the slowest month of the year. I don’t know if it’s the weather or a lull that sets in after all the holiday shopping but… it seems everything comes to a stand still in the beginning of the year. As a business owner, I feel the sting of the new year. I start to wondering if I will book any weddings or portraits sessions because the phone isn’t ringing and the emails aren’t coming in. I resolve that once the dreary January blues pack up their bags and leave, things will start to pick back up. So for now… I just sit, wait and prepare for what is to come. I mean after all, there are 11 more months in this year for something amazing to happen. Stay encouraged my friends!
~Saadia Me’Chel
Here are a few exciting, (a)musing things to start your week:
If you are looking for a cute dress or some killer shoes you should hop on over to Modcloth. Let me warn you though, they have a lot of cute things and you may spend more than you plan.
I’m a big fan of the Resident Evil series (the game and the movies). A teaser trailer for the new movie was recently released. Check it out!
Ifttt.com – Put the Internet to work for you by creating tasks and/or triggers. I use this to post my Instagram photos to my Facbook page & Tumblr blog. It can be used to create a variety of tasks. I like this because it saves me the trouble of having to post something to all my social media outlets. I create a task and it does all the work for me. Easy peasey!
I love finding new iPhone apps. Someone told me about Flipboard a few days ago and I’m absolutely obsessed with it now. It puts all your social media and things that interest you all in one place in a “magazine” format. It’s great! Go download it for your iPhone or iPad and tell me what you think.
Like Photoshop tutorials? Here is a good one that uses frequency separation to retouch photos.
I was able to get tickets to Jasmine Star’s “The Fix” in Atlanta. I’m looking forward to meeting Jasmine and learning some things that will hopefully help me run my business better. Check to see if she’s coming to a city near you.
Here is some photography inspiration for you:
~Saadia Me’Chel
I remember her fondly as a baby but she is definitely not a baby anymore. They sure grow up fast.
