Saadia Me*Chel Photograpy

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

Archive: ‘personal’



Monday Musings – The Beautiful People

Monday, January 30th, 2012

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?

 

Happy Anniversary!

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

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

Monday Musings – January Blues

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

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:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

~Saadia Me’Chel

Atlanta Portrait Photography | 52 Weeks Project – Week 14 “Sisters”

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

I remember her fondly as a baby but she is definitely not a baby anymore. They sure grow up fast.

 

So This is What Love Really Is

Sunday, January 15th, 2012

“Let there be spaces in your togetherness
And let the winds of Heaven dance between you..
Love one another but make not a bond of love
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls
Sing and dance together and be joyous but let each …one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.”

~Gibran

As I sat there, pushing the food around on my plate, I listened intently to the words flowing from his mouth. He smiled and the corners of his eyes creased ever so slightly and I realized just how wonderful he really is. I do this sometimes, just sit and watch him. I study every angle of his face making sure I remember everything about him… the color of his eyes, the way he smiles, his laugh, his facial expressions, the sound of his voice. I can’t believe sometimes that he is mine, that he has chosen to love me. I mean that’s what real love is anyway, a choice. A state of mind that comes from time and experience together with someone. It’s about forming a partnership, a friendship with another person and creating an environment where two people can support each other through all the ups and downs of life. Now, don’t get me wrong I’m also madly in love Mr. L but I think love that last a lifetime, is more about love that exists in the in between moments. In the day to day routine business of life, through the mundane and monotonous. It is even in these moments, I can sit across a table from him and say to him “I Love You” and really truly mean it. Because let’s be real, life is not always some overarching, high sweeping love story. Those types of things only happen in the movies and truthfully is only one small facet of what love truly means. Love is something that grows over time when it is nurtured and protected. We have definitely had our “growing pains” over the years but I can honestly say we have worked hard for the love we share because it is special to us. I shake my head sometimes at some of the things I’ve done in the past that have jeopardized our love. I was foolish and naive. Fortunately, God has blessed Mr. L with the right set of characteristics and the exact personality needed to “deal” with me. Loving someone can be hard, it takes a lot of active work but it has filled my life with so much joy and happiness. He makes me laugh until I can’t breathe. He calls me on my crap. Pushes me forward when I feel like I can’t move. Shows me he loves me when the world feels like it’s closing in. Feeds me when I can’t afford to eat. Listens to me when I need to talk. Consoles me when my heart is aching. Plays with me when I want to act like a kid. Watches movies with me that he doesn’t want to see. Prays with me when my faith feels shaken. He makes sacrifices for me. My cup runneth over, my heart is full… so this is what love really is.

~Saadia

Photo courtesy of Aragon Photography

Atlanta Portrait Photography | 52 Weeks Project – Week 11 “Helping Hand”

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

There are over 27 million people throughout the world living in modern-day slavery. Even here in the U.S., where sex trafficking has become a major problem, there are people who are enslaved. This is an issue that I am very passionate about. If you’d like to find more information about modern-day slavery and how you can help, please visit Free the Slaves. There are so many individuals who just need someone to stand up and against the injustices that plague our society today. Will you offer a helping hand?

~Saadia Me*Chel

The New Saadia Me’Chel Photography

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

I’ve been working really hard over the last few months to rebrand myself. It has taken a lot of work, time and effort but I am proud to say that I have something that is my own. I designed everything myself… the logo, website, blog and business card. I finished the last touches on everything last week so please forgive me for not blogging. I was a busy bee. Rest assured though, I will be back on track this week. Please check out my new website and let me know what you think. I’ve embedded it into my blog below but you can click here to see it as well. I’d love to hear your feedback. I’ll post images of my new business cards as soon as I get them.

Flash Required to view this area.

~Saadia Me*Chel

Monday Musings – Revenge

Monday, December 12th, 2011

My favorite show on TV right now is Revenge. Initially I didn’t think I was going to like it because the storyline didn’t really speak to me but I gave it a try anyway. I’m very glad I did. The show centers around Emily Throne who is out to seek revenge for crimes committed against her father by individuals he trusted. The whole story takes place in the Hamptons, surrounded by money, power and sex. Ya know, all the things in life that make it more juicy lol. The story is so well written and the characters are very well-defined. You can’t help but get sucked into the drama of the show. If you haven’t heard of this show I would urge you to take a look and see if you like it. I’ve included a trailer for the show below. New episodes air Wednesdays on ABC @10|9c. All previous episodes are available to watch on Hulu for free right now. Check it out and let me know what you think.

~Saadia Me*Chel

 

Hits + Misses: Editorial Calendars & Stomach Virus

Sunday, December 11th, 2011

As another week starts I thought I would share some of the good and not so good things that happened to me this week.


Editorial calendar – Thanks to this thing I was able to blog everyday for an entire week. That has never happened before on this blog. Furthermore, I have blog posts scheduled for the rest of the month. WooHoo! Click here to get more info about the editorial calendar.

52 weeks project – I caught up on the weeks I let fall to the waste side and… I renewed my creativity and interest in the project in the process. Thanks everyone for you support and wonderful comments!

Alex Beadon’s Photoshop Actions group – Love this new Facebook group created by Alex Beadon. It’s a great place to ask questions, share ideas and be inspired. Check it out for yourself: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alexbeadonsphotoshopactions/


Stomach virus – I caught a stomach virus Tuesday night. Not the most fun thing in the world. Luckily it only lasted a day and a half. Any longer and I may have lost it.

Missing my boyfriend – Due to a minor illness and conflicting schedules I haven’t seen much of my boyfriend this week. This is a big deal because I’m use to seeing him everyday. I’m hoping this week will be better.

Telemarketers – I know they are just doing their jobs but must you really call 12 times a day?! Notice my extreme exaggeration but it is quite annoying.

 

 

Atlanta Portrait Photography | 52 Weeks Project – Week 10 “Exposed”

Friday, December 9th, 2011

I think most wedding photographers, whether aspiring or professional, know who Jasmine Star is. If you’ve never heard of her, I suggest you check out her blog to find out who she is. Although I’ve never met her in person it seems as if I know her with how candid, open and friendly she is on her website and blog.

Recently Jasmine wrote and published a magazine that details her journey to becoming a professional photographer. Not only is she an amazing photographer but she is also quite an exceptional writer. Seeing as I’m trained in the art of prose myself, her writing ability is definitely something I can appreciate. As I was reading through the 160-paged “Exposed,” I saw a lot of myself in the accomplished photographer and business woman. A lot of the struggles she describes, like feeling inadequate or seeming-like an outsider, in such a saturated market, are things I can certainly attest to feeling myself. In addition I feel a shared kinship with her as she describes her drive, passion and hunger to succeed. I love it when she says:

  “The naked truth, however, was I had less than most. I just wanted it more.”

and…

“I was desperate. And desperation makes people do whatever it takes to stay afloat, regardless of how bleak the horizon appears or how hard the work.”

Inadvertently, Jasmine has given me the freedom to declare things about myself and my business that I had been afraid to admit, even to myself. That I want this… more than anything else, I am desperate to make this work, I love what I do and… that I am talented. These are the things that drive me because at the end of the day. So work it shall… and as Jasmine pointed out, “Jump… and the net will appear.”

~Saadia Me*Chel

 
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