About The Photograher
Mecca
Mshaka-Morris
“The idea of becoming better with each day motivates me to be my best,” he has stated. His favorite canvas remains New York City, where, as an avid skateboarder, he captures diverse slices of life, enhancing his narratives with the city’s dynamic backdrop.
One of his notable projects, STOOPS, showcases residents of Brooklyn on their front steps, a project that powerfully affirms his deep affection for New York and its people. Through this and other works, Mecca documents not only the city’s bustling life but also the overlooked, fleeting moments, revealing a profound connection between him and his surroundings.
Recently, Mecca’s work gained further recognition when it was featured in Something Special Studios’ 5th installment of their annual photo magazine, "Summer of Something Special," which supports the Ghetto Film School, an initiative teaching filmmaking and storytelling to the youth.
As Mecca steps into a promising career in photography, you are invited to explore the work of Mecca’s journey. transforming everyday scenes into striking narratives, each image a celebration of the city he calls home.
Mecca Mshaka-Morris, born and raised in New York City, is a photographer whose work captures the vivid and raw essence of urban life. His journey with photography began at the age of 15 with a Polaroid Sun 600, taking snapshots of friends skating and scenes around his neighborhood in Bedstuy, Brooklyn.
Although he loved the immediacy of Polaroids, Mecca yearned for more control and quality, which led him to explore 35mm film during his 11th-grade year. Despite initial challenges with the equipment, his determination was rewarded when a teacher lent him her father’s camera, marking a pivotal moment in his artistic development.
Inspired by the works of photographers like Roy De Carava, Vivian Maier, Nan Goldin, and Stephen Shore, Mecca’s style evolved to focus on street photography and capturing emotions of melancholy, nostalgia, and excitement.
Mecca’s passion for photography was further refined through the Red Hook Labs Advanced Photography Program, enhancing his technical skills and deepening his philosophical approach to continuous improvement.