Meet Ambar Hasan | Photographer

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

Hi Ambar, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I started my business, I wanted it to be something everyone could have. I call myself a mama’s photographer. Where a mom OR dad (but who are we kidding? mostly moms) can afford me without having to save for months for a shoot. I wanted to keep my fee as low as I could while still making a profit because well, it is a business after all. I feel this has helped my business grow. I still continue to be true to what I started with. I have a set clientele in this saturated market of amazing photographers out there so that feels good.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Photography is such a fun thing to me! I love everything about what I get to do. I love meeting my little clients and big ones too. I really enjoy working with kids, especially the ones that can talk. I love the interaction! When I resumed my shoots after we were done with the lockdown, so many of the kids that I photograph on a regular basis told me they missed me and how long it had been since they had seen me. I’m talking 5-6 year olds! It melts my heart. I also love to plan setups for my themed minis, to be creative. I try to bring my best on the sets. It feels so good when people say things like “you have the best setups”.
I have completed 10 years in the business and I feel what got me here is my patience and how I connect with the people I work with. Starting was actually not that bad for me personally, I started without any intentions of it being a full on business so there was no pressure, you know? I was having fun and the money was a bonus. But then when I realized that things are getting serious, I licensed up. There are some challenges like any other business would have, like for one, I moved to a different city about an hour away from where I used to be, so finding new clients here is harder now than it was when I first started. I think when I was new, there were not a whole lot of people doing themed minis so that worked out for me, now it’s pretty common so most people already know a photographer they got to and like to be loyal to. So yes, trying to build a clientele in a new city in these times is a bit hard but I’m getting there 🙂

I want the world to know that Ambar Hasan Photography is where you get great quality at fairly affordable rates. I enjoy doing the shoots and then editing too. I am not someone who slaps presets, I take my time to edit and my efforts can be seen in the final product. Although I do everything from family, engagement, maternity etc., Themed Minis is what I feel like I’m known for the most.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh!! Okay so a week long trip will definitely include Disneyland. I love that place and so do my friends. I will take them to the Santa Monica Pier, take some pictures and have funnel cake there. There is this Persian place that I love in Pasadena, I would definitely have dinner there at least once. The BEST Chicken Kabobs in my opinion, it’s called Haider Baba and while we are there, the Pasadena City Hall is close by which is gorgeous to visit and just take pictures. Cannot forget Universal Studios and the City Walk. I will also take them to Griffith Observatory at night, the view of the city is breathtaking. I am a retro lover so will have to take them to Frisco’s Carhops in Whittier. High Tea at the Peninsula. I will also definitely squeeze in Ifly in there and dreamscape in Century City. Also food wise, I will take them to Artesia for the most amazing Indian/Pakistani food. Although the street is lined up with Indo Pak eateries, my favorite place is Shahnawaz. Also there is a Indo Chinese restaurant there called Nanking which I would definitely do,their Chicken Chilli is to die for. Medieval Times would also be on my list. I will also go to Big Bear which is what I love about SoCal, you can do the beach and mountains on the same day. Since I love to shop, I would take them to one of the outlets, either Camarillo or Citadel. AND cannot forget burgers at In and Out! I think my week is up and the tour ends here! 🙂

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The credit definitely goes to my husband who takes care of the kids while I am out for hours doing back to back shoots. He helps me with my heavy props and setups for my themed minis. He drives me if my location is too far. Honestly, I will not be able to do what I do without his support both on location and home. AND also my clients, I do get feedback and ideas for setups from my clients too plus they have been amazing to spread the word out there with recommendations and referrals. I have some families who have stuck with me since the beginning of my journey when they could have very well gone to someone else. So yes, they (my clients) deserve a shoutout too! Oh and my brother, I do want to give a shout out to him, he’s the one who made my first post on craigslist because I felt I wasn’t ready as I was still learning.

Website: www.ambarhasanphotography.com

Instagram: @Ambarhasanphotography

Facebook: Ambar Hasan Photography