Earlier this summer, I had the pleasure of meeting and designing a space for a nationally recognized, talented photographer that I’ve followed and admired for years. Meet Mecca! <3

Mecca Gamble McConnell is a phenomenal photographer and human being. With over a decade of photography experience, she’s built an incredible brand based on her beautiful work shooting weddings, families, and hundreds of black women helping them sell their services as fellow entrepreneurs in Atlanta and across the United States. In addition to her gift of capturing the best images of others, she is passionate about coaching, mentoring, and building community with fellow photographers so they too can own and grow in their gifts. Beyond her incredible photography skills, Mecca is such a LIGHT. Her personality, authenticity and smile are infectious, and she has a heart of gold.

All of that to say when Mecca contacted me about designing her new studio space shortly after I moved back to Atlanta, I legit did a cartwheel in my living room! LOL Talk about the universe aligning in the right timing! I couldn’t wait to meet her in the flesh.

Mecca recently achieved a huge goal and dream of hers in opening her own photography studio. Nestled just south of the City of Atlanta, her second-floor studio space is bright, white, and full of natural light. Most of the space is open for staging photography shoots while the other side includes a conference room, office and storage space used for meetings and collaborations. Although Mecca had already purchased a few pieces of furniture for staging previous shoots, it was truly a blank canvas to work with.

BEFORE:

Mecca offers two educational programs for photographers, Picture Yourself Profitable(TM) and Porter Street Workshop(TM), with each including a 2-day live experience in Atlanta, GA. In preparation of her Porter Street Workshop in June, she asked for Blessed Little Bungalow’s assistance in designing and staging a living space and office vignette in her studio. Her asks? (1) make it vibrant and colorful, (2) let it scream Black Girl Magic and (3) stay within budget, but “please do your thang!” Yes, yes, yes for creative control! This is truly music to any designer’s ears!

First things first – I created a few mood boards for the space. Like me, Mecca loves all things vibrant color, black women and gold accents, so I found it pretty easy to put together looks that would make her smile and dance! :-D After two rounds of reviews with Mecca and her assistant, Shaquinta, we decided on this Boho + Black Girl Magic look using deep jewel tones, cultural patterns and large statement artwork that would take anyone’s breath away upon entry.

MOOD BOARD:

Once approved, I couldn’t wait to get started! Being conscious of Mecca’s budget, I wanted to find the larger furniture pieces first and ordered the faux leather cognac sofa and mud cloth patterned area rugs to ensure they’d arrive in time for the workshop. I also sourced two incredible art pieces by Danilo de Alexandria via iCanvas, had them framed in gold and expected their arrival a week prior to our installation. I then scoured my local HomeGoods stores for the perfect accent chair to sit between the living and office spaces, as well as complementary artwork that would add more color and vibrance to the Boho-vibe we were building. Lastly, I visited my friends at Nadeau Furniture in Buckhead and found the perfect glass and brass coffee and end tables for the living room space.

Screen Shot 2021-10-10 at 4.51.49 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-10-10 at 4.52.22 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-10-10 at 4.52.49 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-10-10 at 4.53.15 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-10-10 at 4.58.20 PM.png

On Install Day, I was blessed and grateful to have a second pair of hands assisting me thanks to my amazing mentee, Mackenzie Phillips! Upon arrival we went over the space layout, inventoried the materials that had come in, and made a to-do list of everything we needed to shop for and find. After visiting a few HomeGoods, Marshalls, T.J.Maxx and Target locations, the Jeep was packed with goodies ready to stage in the studio. Prior to completion, Mecca stopped by for a sneak peek and had tears running down her face. I think it’s safe to say that we understood the assignment and our mission was accomplished!

Are you ready for the AFTER? I don’t think you are…. ;-)

AFTER:

And here are a few more photos from Mecca’s powerful and successfully executed Porter Street Workshop courtesy of the photog GOAT herself:

THANK YOU, Mecca for (1) the opportunity to design your new studio (2) providing these beautiful images of the space for my portfolio, and (3) inspiring me to continue to follow my faith and heart in growing BLB.

As successful, Black, female creative entrepreneur, Mecca, you have done the work and walked the walk with transparency and integrity. You’ve set an impeccable example of how we should all embrace our gifts and lift as we climb. Lastly, your words of encouragement to me personally as I took the leap into full-time entrepreneurship helped me more than you’ll ever know and I’m incredibly grateful for your belief in and support of BLB. Thank you thank you thank you, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to work together again!

For more photos and behind the scenes shots and video, check out Stylish Studio in my Portfolio and #ProjectStylishStudio on Instagram.

Be Blessed!

ACG

Design Deets:

Leather Sofa – Wayfair

Swivel Chair – HomeGoods

Area Rugs – Home Depot, Wayfair

Artwork – iCanvas, HomeGoods, Marshalls, T.J.Maxx

Pillows – HomeGoods

Coffee Table – Nadeau Furniture

End Tables – Nadeau Furniture, Target

Ladder – HomeGoods