Today we’d like to introduce you to Aisha Butler.
Hi Aisha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The brief version goes like this…
I worked in a bank 1999-2008 and had dreams of becoming a real estate agent and investor. I met Jeff, my husband now while working in the bank in 2002. He already had years under his belt doing photography work. It took him 3 years to get me to simply touch a camera. I wasn’t interested.
One day in 2005, I visited him while he was in the middle of a shoot. Since I knew no one on set, I picked up one of his cameras and started playing with it. I took a look at the pictures I was capturing and instantly fell in love with photography. The following week, he gave me a camera and I purchased other equipment. I started shooting my co-workers and my family. Business, surprisingly, grew from there.
I left the bank in 2008 to become a full-time photographer. Together, my husband and I formed JazzyStudios. while still separately serving our own clients. Even though I officially became Aisha Butler Photography in 2019, I’ve been in the photography business full time for 13 years and have the most amazing client family ever!
My message when walking through my story is to never fail to “Try New Things”. It changed my life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t always been a smooth road. The greatest struggle was being without a studio for 4 months, but it turned into one of the best blessings ever. The mall we were located in closed down. Those 4 months of taking the studio equipment everywhere we needed to be was a little hectic, but it led our studio to where it is located now.
Oh! I have struggled with social media, keeping my website up to date, etc. I’ve recently learned to hire those who can take care of those things for me. I just gotta get them what they’ve been asking for. SMH!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Initially, I was waaaay more creative with my work than I have been in recent years. I played with my lighting techniques and angles a whole lot more. My work pivoted, around 2015, to serving entrepreneurs, businesses, ministries, and such with images they can use on their marketing materials, books, websites, etc. I love being a part of their business ventures. Within the last 2 months, my work has started pivoting once again towards work that speak to my heart in a different way. I plan to continue to take time and revisit the spirit of creativity and artistry I had when I first started.
I’m most proud of the work my husband and I did together with models. We jointly held classes for children, teenagers, and adults…teaching them what we knew about the industry and then having fun in front of the camera. The energy was amazing.
I think the essence of our studio, who we are individually and together, and the love shared with our clients is what sets me (us) apart from others.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Hmmmmmm… Many may not know that I was casted for the role of Roxie Hart in the play Chicago while in high school. That was a highlight in my life.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@aishabutlerphotography.com
- Website: aishabutlerphotography.com
- Instagram: aishabutlerphotography and aisha.jazzystudios
- Facebook: Aisha Butler Photography
Image Credits
Aisha Butler Photography
Michele Bowman
Takia Ross
Morgan Whitney
