Meet Vereesha Motiwala | Houston Photographer and Videographer

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

Hi Vereesha, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Hi there! My name is Vereesha Hanif Motiwala, I am the founder VHM Photo & Video (previously known as Vereesha Hanif Photography) and a Co-Founder of The Artsy Weddings based out of Houston, TX, Pakistan, and Dubai. When I decided to start my own photography business, I was driven by a few key factors, one of which was the desire for creating a space for myself which would allow me to be creative, travel, choose my own schedule, meet new people, learn new things, be independent and have financial freedom. I wanted to create something that allowed me to not only pursue my passion for photography and videography but also have control over my career and the opportunities it presented. I knew that building a business from the ground up would require dedication and a whole lot of resilience, but it was important for me to cultivate a life where I could determine my own path. The idea of taking ownership of my time, my work, and my success was incredibly empowering, and it felt like the right next step in my professional journey. I wanted to create a business that could be a solid foundation for something I could grow Internationally and I am grateful to say that we are currently working actively in the US, Pakistan, and I am so excited to announce that VHM and The Artsy has now launched in Dubai!!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For me, photography is all about capturing genuine moments in real time and telling stories through visual art and give editorial feels because every Pakistani/Indian/Arab wedding is a fashion show so might as well take the opportunity to create fun stuff. What sets me apart is my focus on authenticity and connection. I aim to create images that resonate with people on a personal level, not just for their beauty but for the emotions they evoke. Every shot is more than just a photo; it’s a reflection of a moment, a feeling, or a story.

I do think every wedding has its own essence, whether it’s a couple wanting a natural, airy coverage or a vogue wedding, the beauty of each wedding is that every couple has their own unique style and my job is to capture the true essence of my couples.

One of the things I’m most proud of is building a brand that not only meets but exceeds my clients’ expectations. I’m excited about the future of my photography business, especially as we continue to expand creatively, internationally, and find opportunities to work with more incredible people. I got to where I am today through a mix of passion, persistence, and learning from every experience, good or bad.

The journey has not been easy. Like any business owner, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges—whether it was balancing the creative and business sides, navigating the competitive photography industry, or finding the right work-life balance. I’ve had to stay creative, patient and resilient, and constantly reminding myself that growth takes time so as long as it brings me joy, keep hustling. Overcoming these hurdles involved being resourceful, always being open to learning, being optimistic and surrounding myself with a strong support system—my family, friends, and team.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to stay true to my vision. It’s easy to get caught up in trends or compare yourself to others, but staying authentic is what ultimately brings the most fulfillment and success; because the best thing you can offer a client is Your true self.

What I want the world to know about my brand is that it’s more than just photography; it’s about crafting memories and stories that last through my photos, as well as creating relationships that last a lifetime. I like to present a set of photos to all my clients with a heart full of deep gratitude and a set of photos I hope they get to cherish for a lifetime. I’m deeply passionate about what I do, and my goal is to continue creating meaningful work that leaves a lasting impact on those I work with as we expand internationally.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We have a lot of favorites, thanks to Houston for being so diverse. Cannot imagine living in any other city, we’re too spoiled here!

Some of our top spots we go to when my best friend visits are:
For Food, we like to hit up: Top Sushi, AnoThai, Nara Cafe, Top Sushi, LaPasha Lounge & Grill, Lava Restaurant, Khan BBQ, Burger Bodega, Abu Omar, Bun Slut, Torchy’s Tacos, Peri Peri, Kasra, Ranosh, Asher’s Kitchen, Lush Cafe, Reza, Agas, Bombay Sweets, Al-Hawwi Grill, Boat Basin or the Moosa Colony food truck lot.

To relax, we like to hit up: Mani-Pedis at Oasis Lounge and get a Massage somewhere in Bellaire.

For Activities, we like to hit up: Escape Rooms, Arcades, walk around Boardwalk, Pickle Ball, Bowling, Puttery, Go-Karting, Painting, Top Golf, The Commons at Hermann Park, rent Scooters from Glyderz and ride around downtown at night, have a game night our favorites are: (Sequence, Ludo, Cabo and Trump) at either Nara/LaPasha/Lava/Home with our friends.

For Coffee, our top spots are: Feng Cha, Fusion 36, L3 Craft Coffee, Qamaria, Haraz, or Sunday Press.

For dessert, our go-tos are: Sleek, Crumbl, Nu Ice, Agha Juice, or BJ’s Restaurant.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
In starting my photography business, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a strong network of support. First and foremost, I have to credit my god, Allah (SWT), for blessing me with the best of everything and my parents, Mr. & Mrs. Rafiq & Rukhsana Motiwala; my best friends, role models, biggest critics, my strength and support system. Whether it was celebrating the tiniest of victories with me when I got 100 followers on Instagram or supporting me when I would pull all nighters to work on client deliveries because 24 hours in a day did not seem enough with school, a job and a business or whether it was guiding me through my toughest business challenges, they had my back through and through. They also were the ones who ultimately pushed me to take the leap and go full-time with my business and I could not be more grateful.

Next up is Mrs. Abigail Paysse, my Journalism and Yearbook teacher- and the reason I ever even picked up a camera and then grew in love with it. Had it not been for the photographer who called in sick and her asking me to cover the football game (of the year!!), I would have never found my love for Photography. She’s the reason I believe in giving chances to people even when they have 0 experience- you never know what good comes out of it!

I also owe a lot to my amazing clients. Their trust in my vision and the opportunities they’ve given me to capture their special moments and days have helped shape my business and my growth as a photographer. Without them, I obviously wouldn’t be where I am today.

My friends and family have also played a huge role. Their love, feedback, criticism, and constant motivation has been invaluable. Whether it’s helping me brainstorm ideas or being a listening ear during challenges, they’ve always been there for me to push me forward.

Next up, I would like to thank my fellow wedding/event vendors in the Greater Houston, Dallas, Austin, Pakistan areas. Without their collaborations, referrals, trust, support, friendship, we would not get very far.

I also have to give a huge shoutout to my incredible team and crew here in Houston, Texas and in Karachi, Pakistan. Their dedication, hard work, and creativity have been instrumental in bringing my vision to life. I wouldn’t be where I am without their collaboration and commitment. They’ve been a key part of every project, helping to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that the final product exceeds expectations time and time again. I’m truly grateful to have such talented people by my side, and I consider myself lucky to be working with them and learning from them.

I truly believe that the journey to success is never walked alone, therefore, I am deeply grateful for everyone who has been part of mine so far and looking forward to the ones that will join us as we continue this journey.

Website: https://vhmphoto.smugmug.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vereesha-hanif

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vhmphotovideo/

Image Credits
Personal Photo Credits: Naamia Nadim