Meet Barb Hauser | Good Listener & Photographic Artist (Photographer)

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

Hi Barb, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started this journey back in college in Seattle, when I had decided to switch gears
from music to art and photography. My career took off running the art department for
a commercial printer. This path took me through marriage and three kids – and then
I started working at a home based business selling cooking utensils. I enjoyed teaching
others how to cook and eventually expanded into product development, public speaking and mentoring others for the next fifteen years.
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After a great career – there were lots of changes coming and I longed for new creative outlets. My kids had grown up and I was in California, remarried – living a life with my husband while he was touring and performing with his band, The Manhattan Transfer. Unfortunately, cancer took him from me in the middle of a beautiful time together… and for the first time in my life, I was alone and without a plan, a widow at 49 years old. I started scholarship programs in his name and picked up my camera to take pictures of the jazz musicians on stage. I continued my work as a board member of a non-profit jazz festival and I found my camera worked a little like a shield. It gave me a purpose, and rather than feeling all the pain, I threw myself into creating for artists and helping the students through the jazz festival and the scholarships. It was creative and thrilling and then I landed here in portrait photography. I find it is surprisingly satisfying to be able to be a part of creating and capturing moments in time for people. Not unlike helping others in the kitchen with cooking, I now use my camera to further my passion to help others in front of the camera..

I started with my studio in the quiet Shadow Hills area just north of Burbank, within a few years I was ready to expand. In early 2023, I relocated my studio into a larger, very luxurious space in the heart of old Pasadena. There is something about these windows, and all this old brick, that people love. But more important than the location is the center of what I am doing with my camera and my heart.

I knew I was hooked when a client sat in my studio looking at their photos for the first time – and tears began to flow down her cheeks. “I really needed this, to feel beautiful again.” and she went on to tell me how during the last few years she went through a really difficult divorce. I have heard this from several clients – and other challenges. There is something very special that happens when you see someone find a new way – or revisit joy – after a long illness or even going through cancer, through reconstructive surgery after losing a breast or a uterus. It challenges the femininity and identity of many women. I’ve had women come in there that have lost a mother, a husband, or their children have grown up and they have an empty nest. Challenges are a big thing. Some women are happily married for decades and are celebrating a special milestone and they come here to mark that moment in special portraits for themselves or for a loved one. I had a woman in her 80s come in and want a photo she could use after she has passed…. so that she had a photo that she loved to be remembered by. I thought that was lovely. So I offer a unique and positive experience that allows people to find the thing in themselves that they are looking to bring out in a meaningful portrait. Each person (especially women) that come in to my studio will have that opportunity to find that “spark” within themselves and I are here for it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Everything I have done in my life has involved dealing with people and working hard at something. I adopted the phrase “Listening is like Loving” in my 30s and it really has stuck with me. My camera is what I see, but long before I pick up the camera, I spend a good chunk of time talking and listening to my clients. What brought them to me and what sparked them to click my ad or my page? Often times people are going through changes in their lives and they find me. So I ask questions and help them to explain why these photos are going to be important to them or to their family. We work through questions about makeup and hair styling and clothing options. We talk about the final landing place for these images, we talk about wall art, hand-made photo albums and custom storage boxes to store their beautiful prints.

I think there are a lot of very talented photographers out there. What sets me apart from others? Maybe that I go the extra mile…. and my creative eye and ability to visualize a creative look for a client that includes using back drops, windows, scenery, artistic manipulation/creation to create and execute a successful image and print that pleases a client. That’s the goal, really. I know when I see a client change their social media profile photo to one of my images, that makes my day.

When I started this journey after my husband passed away, I thought my biggest challenge would be finding clients or really pulling all the pieces of this business together with a work flow for the whole process up to delivering prints. I also thought that keeping up with the technology and techniques would be a huge challenge. All of those are big challenges. I could do all of those things and learning, education and reaching higher to keep challenging myself was great. The one thing I didn’t expect was that the day after getting the keys to my new studio (one of the most euphoric moments after manifesting this new studio, my oldest son, Ryan…. tragically died. It’s the worst thing to happen to anyone. It stopped me in my tracks. How would I do this? How could I be a good listener… and be able to manage all the moving parts and be above all “happy” with my clients and inspiring? Taking it a day at a time and leaning on all those people in the tribute section of this story is how I did it and am doing it. My brain stopped working as I knew it. Honestly, it was excruciating. I heard his voice in my heart say, “Mom you can do this.” He had written a songs with encouraging lyrics and messages of hope. He was a wonderful encourager. The first day in my studio, I had music on a random playlist. My ears heard a song I hadn’t ever noticed before, and the words were, “Don’t you worry about a thing, pretty mamma, I’ll be right here standing in the wings when you check it out.” (Stevie Wonder). My son was talking to me through music. He wanted me to go on and do the thing I loved. I didn’t need to know how, I just could do it a little at a time. So I just went slow. Some days I would come into the studio by myself and just cry. I could look out of those old windows and beautiful trees from my 3rd floor studio and just cry. It was a good way to work through a lot of it. After my son’s memorial and dealing with the sheer shock and figuring out a new life without him (as many have to do) I just kept going, I ran my ads and had faith that it would all be ok. It’s not ok – but – I’ll work hard to help those coming in my doors that need something that I can help them with and that’s my therapy and my gasoline to do this. The lessons I have learned along the way include patience, listening and not jumping too quick to respond in situations. I have learned that most people have fears about photography and/or image, self esteem stuff. We all have our vulnerabilities and so if I can help someone get through those things and not only have some good photos but have an amazing experience they won’t forget. I want the world to know that my heart is here. I am not a high volume photographer, but a high-heart photographer. I want you to feel good, to look good and to enjoy this journey you are on. Age, size, shape, color or whatever – it’s not an issue here in the studio. I want you to feel amazing and find beauty in these experiences no matter what you’ve been through and no matter how old you are (I’m 59 and still learning new things every day). Celebrating you where you are at, that’s what I do. These photographs will reflect that. That’s everything to me. That goes for my hair and makeup team as well, they are super professional and we are all ‘kind minded’ people and we will work hard for you. We hope you can share a good experience and enjoy your images. They will most likely, after all… out live us and be a representative for a moment in our lives.

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.
Oh wow – this is amazing. You are talking to the right person. Since moving to LA in 2009, it has been my mission to seek out amazing food and experiences in the area. My dream was to be in Old Town Pasadena. So here are some must do’s for my BFF and myself! I would start with a tour by car, seeing the old architecture and the City Hall, gorgeous (and you can find me with a client doing a session there on occasion!) Then we could go to Arlington Gardens and hang out, with thrifting in the afternoon. I love AMT VINTAGE and the Antique malls here in town, so many great shops to enjoy! Then…. the next day it’s an overnight staycation at THE LANGHAM HUNTINGTON for afternoon tea and then the pool. Dinner at the wonderful restaurant, THE ROYCE. Next day is the third Sunday of the month which means PASADENA ROSE BOWL FLEA! Get there early and then fill our car with our treasures and head over to PIE n BURGER for a burger and a piece of pie. The next day is a full day at THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, ART MUSEUM & GARDENS. Plan to spend the entire day there, bringing comfy shoes and eat at one of the great restaurants there on the property (great espresso and a very nice bar!) Get lost in the beauty of the gardens, over 130 acres of gorgeous grounds! The Japanese and Chinese gardens are wonderful and don’t miss the bonsai exhibit. You’ll see world class art and the historical and literary artifacts are treasures to see in person… I love seeing the Gutenberg Bible, ancient manuscripts and maps, and the Audubon prints are just a few of the highlights! Then for dinner it’s off to get a quick bite at one of the great pubs in old town Pasadena. KINGSROW has the best organic chicken sandwich in town. For entertainment you have the PASADENA PLAYHOUSE and BACCUS KITCHEN AND WINE BAR (great jazz and Chef Claud changes the menus often so there is always something fun and delicious to try! My last day with my friend would be on the block where my studio is. We would start at the SATO RAMEN HOUSE (so good) and then pop in to BLICK ART MATERIALS and buy a bunch of great art supplies. Then we take all our stuff to the car and pop into NEON RETRO ARCADE to blow an hour playing vintage video games for an hour! I’ll be on Galaga so you might not get to play that one. For the final stop we head across the street to AMARA CAFE for the amazing churros and chocolate – so many good desserts! If I’m still hungry, we will go back across the street to I LIKE PIE and get a couple of mini pies to take home and share with my hair and makeup team the next day! Key Lime and a vegan options are great!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been one of those “I can do it” persons all my life – truly one my earliest memories is me trying to compete with my older brother (51 weeks older than I) so that tells you a lot about me – and that I was born 6 weeks pre-mature (I’m always competing with myself!). However there are some pivotal people and moments in my life that helped me realize my potential and find a path for my life.

My father, Richard, gave me so much encouragement early on in my life, no matter what I was trying to achieve. His work ethic was inspiring and he always had time for family. That was the thing that made me want to have my own business, watching how he managed it all. He passed in 2009 and I just know he’s still cheering me on. My previous husband who passed, Tim Hauser, was another great cheerleader and encourager for me; his creative genius gave me the courage to pursue my dreams. Today, my husband Bob shows up to help and always has a way through a problem. My mother Ruth, became a wonderful resource later in my life and has been a huge support to me. I have learned a lot from her unconditional love. My three sons – Ryan, Jayson and Kellan are what fuel me to be better and work harder. My grandson Wesley makes me laugh and loves to come play and build forts in the studio with my apple boxes. Hoping to teach him this next summer, an introductory on how to take photos!

Darby, Ros and Kate are my sister photographers who are in other parts of the country who have been with me on the journey. We share tips and ideas, laugh and even share our disappointments or trouble shoot each other’s challenges. I wouldn’t be where I am today without these incredibly talented photographers and good friends who have been willing to share what they learn, and allow me to share what I learn.

Most currently, I adore my hair and makeup team members – I’ll list them all here: Angela, Victoria, Lily, Antonina, Courtney and Marci. These women are amazing artists in their own light. I can’t do what I do without the help of these extraordinary women.

Website: https://www.barbhauserphotography.com

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

Image Credits
(client photos – are all BARB HAUSER PHOTOGRAPHY)
(Photos of Barb) – 1712, 1713, 1715 – Roslyn Honsberger
(Photo of Barb) 8Y9A2868 – Darby Davenport