Meet Ishara Henry | Photographer | Videographer | Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ishara Henry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ishara, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I always wanted to work for myself and be my own boss but I always had a difficult time envisioning what that would look like. I didn’t grow up seeing people own businesses, especially not people who looked like me. I’ve been doing photography since high school and it’s always been something I’ve loved doing. People have always loved my photos also. I noticed one day that I had all of these gorgeous photos on my computer that I’d never really shared with anyone so I decided to post them to Facebook to test out people’s responses and also confirm if they were as good as I thought they were. My cousin, Tonica Crawford ‘called me almost immediately after I posted and told me to take them down because they weren’t watermarked. So, in 2019 I decided to try to make a business out of my photography. My original thought was that I could sell them as wall art or journal cover art. I also started building my portfolio by shooting with anyone who would show up. I didn’t receive a lot of support where I was living which became discouraging to the point that I took a long break from it. Eszquire Harris came across my Photography Facebook page and offered me a part time photography position that turned into a Management position which helped me to see what it took to really operate a business. I took that experience and started applying it to my own business. Out of that, Visuals by Ishara, Ltd came to be.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Mental Health is something that I’m very passionate about and also deal with personally. So when I started on my professional creative journey, I was in a transitional place with my mental health. It was around the time that my mother passed away and I needed something to keep me from going to a dark place. Photography helped me to do that. I turned the camera on myself to try to process my grief and had also been hired as a photographer for the first time. Both are things that I never thought I would be able to do but wanted to do more than anything. Now, mental health is a central theme in most of my creative works but all of my works are created to evoke emotion. I’ve branched into other mediums, such as videography and painting, but it has not been an easy road at all. I’ve made major sacrifices and dealt with major losses to be where I am professionally. I have had to move to a city where I only knew a handful of people, allow my children to live with their father. take accountability for my self destructive behaviors and fight through my anxiety to walk into rooms full of strangers by myself to have the opportunities that I have had. I’ve photographed and filmed events all over the city of Pittsburgh as a result. I’ve had photos on display in the Mayor of Pittsburgh’s office through the Pittsburgh Paints Initiative ran by First Lady, Michelle Gainey. I’ve been in multiple exhibitions including having a photo on exhibit in Australia through Out from the Mist. I’ve met and photographed many talented music and visual artists of all ages. I’ve gotten to mentor some amazing kids and nurture their artistic talents, helped them understand themselves through creativity. My art is capturing moments but I’m fortunate enough to get to do that through human connection. If the world knows just one thing about my brand, that is what I would want it to be.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, the first place I would take someone visiting is to the BlackTeaBrownSuga Network. It’s such a unique space and there’s literally something for everyone here. You like music? There’s a music hall with an electric and acoustic drum set, guitars, keyboards, B3 organ, and a beat machine. Video games? There’s a gaming room with a PS5, Xbox X, Occulus VR, and super nintendo. Crafty? There’s an arts and crafts area with blank canvases, paint, ribbons, and all kinds of things! Trace Brewing has amazing drinks and do great events, like Drag Brunch so we’d definitely give them a visit. There’s such a rich art culture in Pittsburgh that we’d have to visit Radiant Hall Studios, Father Ryan Arts Center, Redfish Bowl, and Diiviinetime Neon Psychedelic Museum. I’d also reach out to my friend, Maddy Lafferty at Keystone Artist Connect to see about live music, usually at Bakery Square. Con Alma has beautiful jazz music playing some nights. Market square has a really great market during the week and it’s surrounded by all different kinds of restaurants. Taco Wednesdays are life and take place at Obey’s house so it’s a must. Point State Park has a really great riverside view so a walk through there would be fun too. Honestly, there’s so much to do and see, we’d need longer than a week!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been so many people along my journey that deserve recognition. I’m going to start by dedicating my shoutout to Eszquire Harris, Aaleah Oliver and The BlackTeaBrownSuga Network. Had they not discovered me when they did, I probably wouldn’t be where I am doing what I love. The love and support that I have recieved from this organization has changed my life in more ways than I can count. I’d also like to recognize Taris Vrcek, MarySue Noble Flick, and David Flick. They’re super supportive and encouraging, always showing up for me when I need them most. The Mckees Rocks Community really deserves recognition too because they have just embraced me in a way that I didn’t know I needed and helped me to do so many things that I never thought I would be capable of doing.

Website: www.visualsbyishara.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualsbyishara/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/visualsbyishara