Meka Hemmons, 37, Born and raised in Chicago's south suburbs
I make the every day woman feel like celebrity. After working with A-list Hollywood for 8 years, I now focus on the woman who neglects appreciating herself. My goal is always to create with her an image that she sees before leaving her home – an image that reminds her she is unique, important, and stunning, so that she carries that power with her in all she does. Beauty happens when we love who we are. Her experience with me includes consultation, wardrobe recommendation, hair and makeup styling, fully guided and candid posing, professional editing, and a choice variety of print products.
I had the opportunity to photograph a family friend as part of someone else's project. This woman has a magnetic personality – always smiling and laughing – but when she saw the final photos, she started crying. I immediately thought I did something wrong. Did I offend her? Did she hate the pictures? Through her tears, she told me that the photos were gorgeous, and that she had no idea that I saw such beauty in her. She'd always thought she was ugly. I was stunned. I was woefully reminded that there are far too many women like her who are divine inside and out, but struggle to see it. My mission was born in that moment – I would from then on help women see their own beauty through my lens.
I have five sisters. My mother is the matriarch of our collective community... of mostly women. I have always been around women. I understand women. I am a woman. I take a lot of pride in the comfort I extend and the trust that I gain when I hone in on and gently unravel the layers of inhibition many women have. Because I know what the weight on women's backs consists of, I take time to let them know I see and appreciate their individual value before I turn the camera on.
I enjoy portraiture the most out of all the photographic genres because I love storytelling. Out of the gazillions of people who have walked this earth, not one of us has been the same. That amazes me. Portraits are faces. Faces tell stories. Every story is unique.
Building my full service studio.
Stop taking business advice from non-business owners.
I'm inspired by people who have built and are building their brands from nothing.
I'd want to manipulate time, not to change the future, but to pause while I collect my thoughts or take a nap... or I'd like to have just a little bit more control over mine and other's emotions. Emotions are important, but sometimes I question the quickness and intensity of anger, embarrassment, and fear.
Favorite movies: A Knight's Tale, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Amelie, I Heart Huckabees Favorite TV shows: Felicity, Scandal, Arrested Development, Archer Favorite musical artists: Pink, Lifehouse, Iron & Wine Favorite food: pasta, potatoes