Thanks for sharing your story with us Aisha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
With photography, I signed up for a class sophomore year of high school that I didn’t really know I was signing up for called photojournalism. I had no idea that it meant I would be taking pictures of my school’s yearbook, so I was surprised when they handed me a camera and asked me to photograph a football game. Later that year, I suddenly became really good at photography and won a national high school journalism award. I believe this win really got me motivated and I really like being good at things so I chose to stick with it. I started to learn more about taking and editing photos. Then I decided to continue learning by minoring in college. However, I had no intention of pursuing photography as a career. My plan was to work with television so my major was Radio, TV & Film. My last semester of college I decided I was more interested in photography than film so I combined my passion for photography with my entrepreneurial desires. Which is where ‘by Aisha’ came from. Then with entertainment, I have always loved making people laugh. The world is so crazy at times and I believe that everyday is the day to smile and laugh. I combined this passion with my knowledge of videography and out came my YouTube channel, Aisha101. YouTube and social media are my only platforms right now and they don’t have huge followings but someday I would love to entertain people all over the world. I want to make people’s days and lives much better.
Has it been a smooth road?
The main obstacle in my life but specifically in my businesses is my anxiety/nerves. Social situations can make me very anxious which is a problem when all of your career goals involve being around other people and being seen by other people. For the longest time, I was afraid to shoot with clients because I would have to interact with them while doing it. I would post videos on YouTube and make them unlisted and send the link to only my friends because the idea of someone at my school being able to find it scared me. There are so many things in my life that got ruined for me because of this.
After I got saved I realized that God does not give people anxiety but God gave me my career goals, dreams, and desires. So I decided to choose what God gave me and if you’re not religious, anxiety is still not for you. It’s not a thing anyone should ever let get in their way. I forced myself in situations that before I would’ve avoided and didn’t let any fear stop me. I still experience this anxiety and still have fears today the difference is that I don’t let them stop me I have more faith now. I’ll take discomfort if I know that it’s the plan God has for me & I believe that plan will give me the best life.
We’d love to hear more about your work. What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from the others?
‘by Aisha’ is a photography/videography business currently serving the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Even though I have been doing photography for six years, this business is new, I started taking it seriously about a month ago. My start was in photojournalism but while at the University of North Texas I started getting into art photography. Currently, I specialize in events/candids (baby showers, birthday parties, corporate events, wedding etc) and portraits (seniors, headshots, art). I really enjoy taking photos of people. Right now, it is mostly run by me but when I am able to devote more time to the business I will begin staffing and photo booth services will be added.
I’m most proud of my customer service. 100% satisfaction guaranteed means just that. If someone that shoots with me & was not satisfied (hasn’t happened yet), then that would be a huge problem for me. I treat my clients how I would want to be treated. I try my best to live my life like Jesus and he is generous. No one shoots with me without receiving a gift. Quick replies, quick photo delivery, professionalism, I proudly execute these things.
I am set apart for a lot of reasons but one of them is that my business built on my principles simply because it’s run by me. Some of them being kindness, generosity, and love. Other photography business definitely value these too but I make conscious efforts to always show this. Some other photographers just think of shooting as getting money for a service but it’s so much more than that. It the opportunity to interact with another person and do something that will make them happy. People seeing themselves look so good in portraits can literally take their self-esteem up so high, and everyone deserves to feel beautiful. People being able to look back on events gives them memories of the entire time period that event took place. It’s so much more than just snapping a picture.
Also, I have a creative eye that is different. Part of photography is a natural creative ability that not everyone has. People hire photographers because they have a more creative vision, it’s something of value. It where a lot of my value comes from.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
With how nice phone cameras are getting, it could change a lot. I don’t think professional photographers & videographers will ever not be needed but we’re going to have to start stepping up our game. In the day of social media & the internet, especially Instagram, high-quality content is a must have so professionals will still be in demand.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.byaisha.com
- Email: contact@byaisha.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byaisha.jpg
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byaisha101
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/byaisha101
Image Credit:
Jessica Hall- J Bomb Arts
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