Today we’d like to introduce you to Aisha Khan.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Aisha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was working in sales and going to school part-time but I found myself overworked by my job and annoyed with school as I hadn’t decided on a major or profession. So I went out to dinner with a friend to vent. That’s when she suggested I get into photography.
I had always enjoyed it and even taken a couple of classes for it in school but never thought of it as a profession till then. After that, everything seemed to line up for me like synchro-destiny. I bought a camera, a lens, and a cheap flash and found out a major nationwide photography workshop would be taking place in New Orleans not too long after.
I booked my hotel, got a ticket to the workshop, and drove to NOLA. The workshop was called After Dark Education. I learned in three days more than I had ever learned in college. This workshop is no longer running but I still attend other workshops to keep my knowledge of the industry current.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I started photography with the confidence that it would be a smooth road for me. I had just married, bought our first home, and was quickly getting great feedback and referrals for photography. With my husband’s income, I felt confident quitting my job and pursuing photography full time. Life seemed perfect! But that feeling only lasted a few months.
The first struggle was with my husband’s change in job… It didn’t go as planned and he found himself jobless. Suddenly I felt solely responsible for our household and my income was not making it. Most businesses don’t begin to fully profit until well after the first year and I was only a few months in.
As I focused more on work, my marriage began to deteriorate and I felt helpless. I spent many moments back then crying alone both for my marriage and the bills I couldn’t pay. But my work began to get out there and more started to come in. Financially, I could see a light at the end of the tunnel. But as I appeared more established in the industry, I was still struggling with our marriage.
And when we decided to separate, my work and responsibilities to my clients were still a priority.
There were times when I had to edit engagement shoots, weddings, and family portraits as I simultaneously cried over my own marriage falling apart. The tears would fill my eyes and I’d wipe them to better see the screen…
Having gone through tough times financially and emotionally so early on in my career has made me realize my willingness and devotion to overcome my challenges. I take on every challenge as a reminder of how strong I can be
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Ama by Aisha and Houston Warehouse Studios – what should we know?
I’m a photographer and I’m mostly known in the wedding industry as Ama by Aisha. My style is a mix of high fashion, sexy, and cool. I’m also a partner at a rental studio which I recently relaunched as Houston Warehouse Studios. While most of the time it is used for photo and video shoots, our real focus is with all Houston creators.
Our space is open for events such as pop up markets, workshops, presentations, networking events, etc. We’ve even hosted Horse Head Theater for their last theater production! We’re setting ourselves apart by accommodating artists and small businesses even to the extent of renting it on an hourly rate for them to have client meetings at our creative space instead of at coffee shops. I hope to see the growth and success of Houston’s creative community as they walk in and out of our studio!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I surround myself with positive people that celebrate the success of others. It’s hard to just name a few without feeling guilty because all my family, friends, ex-husband, past and current clients, my boyfriend…
All have contributed in a significantly positive way! But I should specifically mention the group “I Know Somebody – Houston” founded by Elizabeth Pudwill. I had never attended networking events before but IKSH taught me everything I needed to know about networking and prepared me to network within my own industry.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1506 Lorraine Street, Houston, TX 77009 (Warehouse Studios)
- Website: www.HoustonWarehouseStudios.com www.AmaByAisha.com
- Phone: 8324133580
- Email: houstonwarehousestudios@gmail.com
- Instagram: @houstonwarehousestudios
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/houstonwarehousestudios
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/houston-warehouse-studios-houston
- Other: @amabyaisha
Image Credit:
Neisha Forward, Claudia Diaz, Federico Alessandro Galli
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