Today we’d like to introduce you to Arifa Rashid.
Hi Arifa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I spent my teenage years taking pictures of family members on their birthdays with my Nikon D5000. I got my first paid photography gig at a small wedding in the summer of 2009, right after graduating high school. Before I knew it, people were paying me to photograph their intimate parties and family portrait sessions.
After a few years of freelance photography, I joined a local event photo/video business in Houston in 2014, where I continued to develop my skills. I also took digital media courses at the Houston Center for Photography and the University of Houston, where I was completing my Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition.
In 2016, I started my own photography business and haven’t looked back since. While growing my business, I completed a Master’s degree in Biology in 2018.
When COVID hit, many gigs were canceled, and the event industry slowed down significantly. I used that time to enroll in an accelerated second-degree nursing program, which I completed in 2022.
Today, I work as a photographer in Houston, as well as a nurse piercer at Rowan. I also assist a midwife with home births on a part-time basis.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Anything that’s worth having doesn’t come easy. I’ve faced plenty of struggles along my journey, including failing time and time again.
My backup battery has died on me mid-event. I’ve forgotten SD cards at home and only realized after arriving at the shoot. My map has led me in the exact opposite direction of the location (for some strange reason). I’ve been canceled on while waiting for clients to show up. I’ve even had clients refuse to make their full payment, despite having signed a contract.
But struggling and failing are opportunities to level up and fine-tune your craft.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a photographer, I specialize in weddings, events, and portrait photography. What I’m most proud of is being able to provide people with lasting photos of their elderly loved ones on such special days. Too often, those events end up being one of the last times they captured a moment together—whether it’s with a grandmother or a great aunt.
What sets me apart is that I treat the entire family as my client, not just the person whose name is on the contract. I don’t approach the event with a sense of ownership just because I’m the designated photographer. I care deeply about the overall guest experience. I’m not going to hog the aisle as the couple walks in or ignore the hundreds of guests who also have expectations for the event.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Photography is an artistic preference, and every photographer has a unique style. That said, if there’s a specific type of imagery you like, be sure to share it with your photographer. I love knowing what kind of photos my clients are envisioning so I can recreate that look to the best of my ability—whether it’s a cool, clean aesthetic or a glamorous, moody vibe
Pricing:
- 350- 1 hour portraits with 20-25 edited images
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photogrifa
- Other: https://vimeo.com/photogrifa
Image Credits
@photogrifa
