The Zoom In Podcast Episode 6: Mecca Gamble on grief and the journey to returning to yourself
Good Morning & welcome to the final interview episode of Season 1 of the Zoom In Podcast. As always, thank you to everyone who has listened to season 1!
Quick announcement
To celebrate this season, I’d love to include your voices in the recap episode! If you’d like to be included, share a 30 - 60 second voice note with how the Zoom In Podcast has helped you in building your photography business or any of your favorite highlights and takeaways.
You can record a voice note using the voice memos app on your iPhone and email your 30 - 60 second voice memo to my email address tamera@dardencreative.com by Friday, March 31st.
This Week’s Guest
I think you’ll learn after this episode you’re learn that Mecca Gamble is more than a branding photographer for Black women. She is also a visionary + creative director and someone who is growing in real time, which is reflected in this episode.
I may be biased but I’ve loved every episode of the Zoom In Podcast and my chat with Mecca feels like the perfect end cap to this season.
I appreciated Mecca’s candor, transparency and vulnerability. And that’s really what this podcast is about which is seeing the expansiveness of Black women. Not just our business side but also our humanity. We covered a lot of topics in this episode including dealing with grief and forgiveness, the power of standing in your truth, the importance of embracing change and the importance of healing your inner child.
Time Stamps
4:27 The importance of telling our stories from our point of view
9:30 I ask Mecca how’s her heart doing these days, learning to grieving & work through those feelings
11:06 Mecca recounts how she almost was not going to return to photography
18:15 Mecca sharing the evidence that God is always with us + learning to like herself again
19:36 The importance of prioritizing living life instead of always running a business
25:47 Mecca talks about the importance of boundaries
27:10 Mecca talks about how her parents cultivated & supported her creativity during childhood
30:43 The moment she knew photography was going to be her thing in this season of her life
33:45 I ask what was it about photography that Mecca decided to dedicate her time, energy and resources to the industry
38:06 Mecca shares how she was able to find her spark/passion again in photography + finding her joy
41:27 Mecca shares her transition from wedding photography to branding photography + creative direction
47:42 We discuss the importance of forgiving ourselves when we let projects go that didn’t work
55:41 Mecca speaks on an upcoming transition & using more of her gifts
59:41: Learning to embrace the unfamiliar
1:06:00 Mecca’s key to longevity
How to Keep In Contact with Mecca Gamble
Mecca Gamble’s IG: meccagamble
Website: http://www.meccagamble.com
Mecca Gamble’s Bio
Mecca Gamble McConnell is an Atlanta-based photog rapher who creates images to elevate the digital presence of service-based entrepreneurs, tell their stories and leave their legacies. After earning a bachelor's degree in journalism from Duquesne University, she has dedicated the last decade to documenting the lives of black families, couples in love, and entrepreneurs. Through her workshops, speaking engagements, and one-on-one training, she has helped dozens of growing photographers establish and grow their businesses. A number of popular wedding and lifestyle publications have featured her work, such as The Knot, Upscale, Essence, Pittsburgh Magazine, B Collective Magazine, and The Atlanta Tribune. She enjoys reading, Pilates, and trying new restaurants with her husband when she's not behind the camera.